Abstract: A tennis trainer is provided in which a plurality of telescoping shafts are mounted to a support surface. One of the shafts carries a tennis ball and telescopes into the other shafts. The means for mounting the telescoping shafts comprises means for permitting the shafts to travel vertically over a selected angle so that when the tennis ball is hit, the trajectory traversed by the tennis ball simulates live action. Means for returning the telescoping shafts to their original position is also provided.