Regardless of your skill level, there are some items that every tennis player should have. Besides the essentials like your racquet and your tennis balls, you should also keep on hand a few helpful accessories. Here are some of the accessories that all tennis players, both professionals and amateurs, should have.
Tennis Apparel – Shirts, Shorts, Skirts
You can play without all the fancy shirts or skirts but wearing the right clothing can help to improve your game. It can also help to protect yourself from any injury and help to keep you feeling comfortable throughout your match. The most important part when it comes to sports clothing is comfort so choose the apparel that fits you the best.
You can choose to wear any basic t-shirt to your tennis match, and it should be fine. However, it is ideal to wear a shirt that can absorb your sweat better and dissipate it faster. This way, you are not stuck playing with a shirt that is constantly sticking to your body and restricting your movements. As for the bottoms, you want to get something that does not restrict your lower-body motions. They should also be the right fit so that they will stay up while you are bending and running across the court.
Headwear – Sweatbands, Visor, Cap
You may have seen professional tennis players wear a sweatband or a visor while they are in a match. Proper tennis headwear can help with a lot of things, and it can also help to improve your performance. There are not many rules when it comes to headwear but choose one that is appropriate for the court.
There are many reasons why tennis players use their headwear while on the court, and one of them is because it helps to protect the top of their head and their eyes from the bright sun. They can also help to collect sweat and prevent it from dripping down your face. Some players even use it to hold their hair back so that their eyes will not get poked by sweaty strands of hair.
Smartwatch
Wearable technology has changed the way we play sports, and it has helped us in many ways, besides just tracking our movement. Smartwatches are great for athletes or any sports player because they help to record everything as we play. They track your activity levels, your heart rate, and even your oxygen level. This is not only great for performance analysis, but it can also help to evaluate your health.
Smartwatches like the Apple Watch also come with pre-installed programmes that can track specific on-court activities. Tennis players can use the smartwatch to track their swing motions and it can work for both right-handed and left-handed players. Smartwatches are also waterproof, so you do not have to worry about getting your sweat on the devices.
Tennis Bag
The tennis bag is one of the first things that a player buys when they start playing tennis. It is where you keep everything you need for the game, from your shoes to your racquet. However, not all tennis bags are created equal, so choosing the one that is perfect for you will require some more time.
There is no rule against using a regular tote bag or a backpack for your tennis essentials. However, it is better to get a bag that is made especially for tennis players. Not only does it come with separate compartments where you can safely store your racquets, but some tennis bags also have a proper compartment for your shoes to retain their shape. It is great to keep everything clean and organized so that you can easily find what you need, without having to rummage through everything.
Tennis Shoes
There is a lot of footwork involved when playing tennis. You always need to be light on your feet and ready to sprint and jump at any moment. Wearing the right shoes for the game is not only going to help you play better, but will also reduce discomfort and the risk of any foot injury. It is important that you choose the right tennis shoe and there are a few criteria that you should consider.
A good tennis shoe needs to have a wide bottom that maximises contact with the court. Not only does this help with balance but works to facilitate quick and sudden stops. The soles of the shoes must be non-marking, to stay in line with tennis rules. The shoes should also have plenty of ankle and toe support to reduce the risk of injuries. You can also use basketball shoes like Jordan shoes or use cross-trainers from brands like Nike or Reebok. Just make sure that they are non-marking and will not chew up the surface of the court floor.
FAQs
Racket, tennis ball, shoes, and a dress code are mandatory equipment for the sport. Apart from player needs, the tennis court needs a net to separate playing area of each player. Know about these equipment in detail below.
How many racquets do tennis players carry? ›
Typically, players bring more than five or six rackets of the same make and model, each often equipped with distinct attributes. Professional players could even carry up to 10 racquets in a match.
Is it OK to wear running shoes for tennis? ›
Tennis is a game of abrupt stops, lateral movements, and speed changes. Wearing running shoes on a tennis court might leave you slipping and sliding—lacking the necessary grip and support for quick, side-to-side movements. The high heel-to-toe drop in running shoes could also increase your risk of rolling an ankle.
Are sneakers OK for tennis? ›
Unfortunately, as much as we would like to tell you that you'll only need one pair of shoes for both activities, you shouldn't use running shoes for tennis or vice versa. Wearing running shoes for tennis could cause ankle injuries—you'll lack the stability provided by a stronger upper and the tread.
Is tennis a bougie sport? ›
Oftentimes, tennis is considered a rich sport because there are many private tennis clubs.
What is a breadstick in tennis? ›
Breadstick: Colloquial term for winning or losing a set 6–1, with the straight shape of the one supposedly being reminiscent of the straight shape of a breadstick. See also bagel. Break back: To win a game as the receiving player or team immediately after losing the previous game as the serving player or team.
Why do tennis players wear polos? ›
Polo players started wearing this style of shirt during matches for its comfort and durability. René Lacoste, a French tennis player, is often credited with popularizing the polo shirt in the 1920s.
How many outfits do tennis players have? ›
Several. Players need enough sets of an outfit so they sure to have clean clothes for each match. A player will often go on court with a couple of changes of clothes in their bag.
How many tennis rackets should I buy? ›
Beginners (1-2 rackets): One good quality racket is enough to start. Owning a backup can be helpful in case your main racket breaks a string, but it's not essential at this stage. Recreational players (2-3 rackets): Having a backup racket becomes more important as you play more frequently.
How many rackets does Nadal use? ›
The racquet that has evolved with him during his time with Babolat is the Pure Aero, which is a striking fluorescent yellow. He says, 'I normally play with racquets that I have already been practicing with. I carry six racquets in my bag and have them well numbered in order, so I know which one I am using at all times.
During a flight, it is common for our feet to swell and for the soles of our feet and backs to ache. Surgeon Ali Ghoz, from the London Orthopedic Clinic, told The Daily Star that the solution is to press a tennis ball into the sore or tense areas when onboard.
Can I take my tennis racket on the plane? ›
The first thing to know is that the TSA allows tennis rackets to be carried on board. The same is true of most equivalent agencies worldwide, including the EU (see EU policy here).
Can I carry on my tennis bag? ›
However, as most tennis bags are big and bulky, they often exceed most airlines' hand baggage limits. There are some ways around this, however, including getting a travel-friendly and airplane-safe tennis bag. Tennis racquets are acceptable hand luggage according to TSA regulations.
Do I need special shoes for tennis? ›
But for the vast majority, it's pretty important to wear court tennis shoes. That is, to wear shoes that are specifically designed for tennis. This is because these shoes are made to give you the support, the cushioning and the traction that you need on a tennis court.
What shoes are allowed in tennis? ›
Proper Tennis Shoes Must be Worn on the Court at All Times
Non-marking shoes have flat, not-so-hard soles with no cleats and minimal texture so as not to leave a mark on the court.
What is the most popular brand of tennis shoe? ›
Nike is the most popular sneaker brand among U.S. consumers, with 64 percent of respondents who know the brand actually liking it. Adidas also enjoys a significant preference but lags behind Nike. New Balance, Converse, and Skechers follow some way behind.
What is the most famous tennis shoe? ›
adidas Stan Smith
While we'd love to tell you how the Rod Laver, the Lendl or even the cult classic Forest Hills were the most monumental adidas tennis shoes, the Stan Smith is arguably the most important and influential tennis sneaker of all time. There's just no getting around it.
