Tennis is a sport that can be played by people of all ages and with different levels of skills. Whatever your level is, you can find someone with similar abilities to play with. You can do it recreationally as a way to stay fit and get some exercise, or be more serious about it. In any case, it is a great physical workout that will help you maintain your health, strength, and agility, as well as bring you social and psychological benefits.
This is a great game and one that does not require a long list of expensive gear to start with, so if you are a beginner you just need to cover the basics. For the more experienced players, the list of accessories tends to grow, but you will have to see it for yourself and assess what you need or can go without.
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Tennis Gear and Accessories for Players
If you are just starting with this sport, there are only a few must-haves: tennis racquets and tennis balls, tennis apparel and shoes. The last two items can come from your existing wardrobe, but as you get further into the game, you will need to buy shirts and shoes for particular court surfaces or weather conditions.
Needless to say, you will need some towels to wipe off the sweat from your hands and face as well as water bottles to stay hydrated and some sunscreen to protect your skin, just a reminder. The range of tennis gear is huge, but before you get overwhelmed, let’s break down the tennis accessories that will improve your game.
Racquet
Choose a racquet according to your skill level, for beginners, intermediate, or tournament players. There are power racquets with a wider head and more surface space, stiffer and longer frames, and designed to be more lightweight. The second type is a control racquet with a shorter build, flexible and heavier. They are better suited for beginner players.
Balls
For your training sessions, you can use practice or unpressurised balls that cost less. However, when it’s time to play matches against serious opponents, you will need pressurised tennis balls.
Shoes
The right pair of shoes can affect your movements on the court. You need comfortable, lightweight, breathable shoes with proper arch support. And you should have different shoes for different courts.
Tennis shoes with wider bottoms and a special surface that will keep you planted on the court are recommended for grass courts. Shoes with outsoles, insoles, and sides that will ease the sliding are a better option for clay courts. If you are playing on hard courts like asphalt or concrete, then you need shoes with good arch support to cushion the impact on your feet.
Clothing
The way you dress can be as complex or as simple as you want. The trends vary, but you can do perfectly well with lightweight, breathable clothing like shirts (polo shirts are always in), shorts or skirts, and of course good socks that will allow your feet to breathe.
Wristbands, Hats, Caps, and Visors
These accessories are all optional, in that no court will require you to wear them. But if you think they will improve your game, then by all means, use them. They are designed to help with the heat, and protect your eyes from the sun and drips of sweat. That said, considering the weather we have here in the Land Down Under, these tennis accessories may be lifesavers on some days.
Bag
It only makes sense to have one. You need something to put in your racquet, balls and all other tennis accessories that you will need on the court. Choose a bag that can resist the dirt because it will be on the ground more often than not.
Overgrips, Dampeners and Strings
Overgrips go over your current grip and make it a bit bigger. It’s a matter of preference whether you use them or not, but generally, players find they make the grip less slippery because of the sweat. Dampeners are not a necessity, but they help in reducing the vibration going up your hand and arm. Strings tend to snap and don’t last long, so restringing is bound to happen at least every few months.
Injury Supports
This is a completely individual decision. If you have had an injury in the past, or are worried about a particular part of your body, then using sports braces and supports is highly recommendable. Sliding, tricky falls, and sprains are very common during playing, so wearing some support can prevent more serious accidents.
Tennis Equipment for Courts
- Ball machine – practising is how you get better, but if don’t always have a partner to play with, then you need a ball machine. There are very advanced models with apps, Bluetooth pairing and remote controls.
- Nets and posts- portable nets and posts allow you to play tennis anywhere
- Baskets and carts – stable and durable with great ball capacity, they will make the moving of the balls effortless.
- Marker cones – cones are great for target practising and honing your skills, improving your movement speed and reaction time.
Other useful pieces of equipment you might need are windbreakers, court sweepers, flat markers, and ball pick-up tubes. The more serious you are about your tennis career, the more accessories for tennis you will need.
Game, Set, Match!
Tennis has been a popular sport for decades and if you have been thinking of taking it up, then do not hesitate. Clubs and public courts are available in most suburbs and towns and if you don’t have someone to play against, then check for competitions and tournaments that the clubs organise.
Remember, the gear won’t turn you into an ATP champion overnight, but it will help you to improve elements of your game, your strokes, serves or returns, and with relentless practice, you will win that game, set and match. More importantly, you will be doing something good for your physical and mental well-being. And if the competitive spirit in you wakes up, then we might see you on the next big tournament.
In any case, have fun and don’t forget, in this game, everything starts with love!
