re: How hard is tennis to pick up for someone in their 40s ?

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Any tips on how to start

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You can start by referring to the sport as tenny.

Not hard to take up in your 40's, but if you want to do it well, it's like anything, takes some time and dedication. I had a very extensive baseball background - coming from a throwing sport really helps in tennis, especially with the serve, which I would consider the most difficult (and most important) stroke to master. There is so much video available that if you have some good private instruction, you can really hone what you learn watching video.

I would say join something like a Tennis Apprentice program, make sure you like it, and if you do, start with some regular private instruction. Once you can practice cooperatively with a pro, find a hitting partner and spend plenty of time doing that. Decide if you like singles or doubles better, and concentrate on that particular discipline. Set goals on where you want to go with it. I personally think the game becomes way more rewarding at an NTRP level of 3.5-4.0. Realistically starting in your 40's unless you are some phenomenal natural athlete, 3.5-4.0 is probably going to be your ceiling.

I was a fan of tennis growing up in the 70's, didn't have opportunities to play when I was younger, was too busy for a good number of my adult years, and finally took the plunge in my 40's when one of my kids started playing- got hooked very quickly
and he has become a very good junior player, partly because of me being able to be a practice partner for him and that is especially rewarding.

Good luck in your journey and I hope you pick it up. And being fit will give you a leg up on a good portion of your age-matched competition.

PS - Late to the Ball by Gerald Marzorati is a nice read detailing one guy's late in life obsession with tennis that reminds me of my own.