Tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world, and Indian players have been rising in their ranks since the early 1980s. The sport requires some specialized equipment beyond the basic racquet and balls. But with so many options available on sites like SportsEquip, how do you decide which tennis accessories are right for you? Here are our top 10 picks!
1. Tennis Racquet
The tennis racquet is one of the most important pieces of equipment you’ll use on the court. The perfect type of racquet for you depends on your age, skill level, and arm strength. With so many different brands to choose from it can be difficult to find the right fit. Some of the best tennis racquets include Wilson Junior Pro (mid-level), Babolat Pure Drive Juniors (advanced), and Head Liquidmetal 8 or 10 Speed Midrange Racquet. It’s important to remember that a junior or beginner may not have as much arm strength as an advanced player and should opt for a lighter racquet with more power. On the other hand, an advanced player should opt for a heavier racquet with less power if they are looking for more spin.
2. Tennis Shoes and Socks
When picking tennis shoes and socks, you’ll want to look for tennis footwear with a flat rubber sole to provide good traction and speed. Think about how you play when choosing which shoe to buy: if you’re the aggressive type who dives on every shot, you’ll want a more structured shoe with some flexibility in the forefoot area. If you’re an all-court player, who’s equally comfortable on clay as well as hard courts, then consider getting a shoe with a more flexible forefoot.
3. Racket Cover
A racket cover can help protect your racket from nicks and scratches as well as from exposure to the elements. Just put it on when you’re done playing for the day or in between games to keep your prized possession nice and safe.
They come in all sorts of sizes, materials, and designs. When you go shopping for one, it’s worth experimenting with a few different ones until you find one that feels just right for you. After all, finding the perfect tennis accessory is just as important as buying a quality tennis racket!
4. Tape and Glue
While tape and glue may not be at the top of your list when you think about tennis accessories, it’s certainly one of the most important. Tape can be used to repair holes in the grip, while glue can fix torn strings. In fact, even if you have a racquet with an ergonomic grip, chances are that someday down the line you’ll need to use these two crucial items. Using tape or glue on your racquet is easy as pie. Simply clean off your racquet first before applying it for better adhesion and follow these steps:
- Lay out about 3 feet of adhesive to ensure that there will be enough material to use.
- Use masking tape to cover the outside edge of the area where you want to apply glue. The masking tape should overlap with the grip by a few inches so that it creates a seal.
- Apply glue liberally over the area masked by the tape, making sure to get good coverage without spilling any excess into other areas.
- Wait 10-15 minutes for the adhesive to dry before removing the masking tape and letting go of any excess material left over from using too much glue (or letting go too soon).
- Give your racquet a good shake and repeat this process in other areas where they might need more support or reinforcement.
5. Elastic Bandages
Blisters can happen anytime, but they are most likely to happen when you are playing a lot of tennis or have new shoes. However, you can prevent blisters by wearing a bandage over your socks that is appropriate for your shoe type and wearing them in more than one layer. Elastic bandages provide a snug, yet breathable bandage for your feet, which will not only reduce the risk of blisters but also provides increased comfort for those long matches. Elastic bandages should be changed often so that they don’t get wet and develop bacteria and fungus over time.
6. Sweatband
A sweatband is a lightweight cotton headband designed to keep moisture from collecting on your brow. They are often worn under the cap, under a helmet, and during intense physical activity like tennis. A sweatband’s versatility and low cost make it an attractive item for a tennis player to purchase as they only run between $5-$8 USD. The top brands in the market right now are Babolat and Adidas with Nike coming in third place.
7. Water Bottle
A water bottle is an absolute must-have when it comes to tennis. At a bare minimum, tennis players should have at least one bottle per hour that they are playing. When it’s hot outside or you are taking on an intense tennis session, drinking plenty of water is crucial for your performance and hydration. I always recommend my students buy two bottles of the biggest size that they can find so they don’t need to stop playing in order to take a break and hydrate themselves adequately. Make sure you carry around this doubles partner wherever you go!
8. Towel/Shower Cap
Towels and shower caps are your top priority after a match. Don’t skip this item even if you have all the others in your bag because wet hair can lead to accidents and a cold head of hair doesn’t feel so great either. Your towel should be large enough to wrap around your body, while the shower cap should be able to wrap around your head as well. The best combo is a cotton towel with a non-slip grip on one side and the terry cloth material on the other side for drying yourself off. Try out this Versatile Weather Sports Towel & Headband. It’s usually $8 on Amazon Prime but for today only, it’s marked down to $4!
9. Tennis Balls
A typical set of tennis balls costs anywhere from $6-$8. This may seem expensive but remember that a pack of ten is enough for 4 or 5 sets.
A less expensive option is to use old sneakers to squeeze the air out and use them as a ball, this technique also helps kids build coordination.
Racquet balls are another option if you don’t have a regular set of tennis balls. These are easy to find at sporting goods stores in packs of 6-24, so they’re great for anyone on a budget or anyone with multiple tennis players in their family.
However, there’s nothing quite like popping open that new canister of tennis balls before the first match!
10. Footwear Cleaner
Why is it important? No one likes to use their footwear after they find out that it has been accumulating debris and germs, but we cannot ignore the importance of clean shoes. Footwear cleaner sprays will get your feet ready for the game, helping to prevent things like athlete’s foot. Cleaner spray can also be used on practice shoes as well. Most sprays are non-toxic and provide a pleasant smelling experience while saving you time and money in the long run.
No one likes to use their footwear after they find out that it has been accumulating debris and germs, but we cannot ignore the importance of clean shoes. Footwear cleaner sprays will get your feet ready for the game, helping to prevent things like athlete’s foot.
