Equipment
This page contains information about tennis equipment including rackets, tennis balls, clothing, accessories, shoes and more. Check back often as we update any information about the proper equipment, apparel and accessories needed to play tennis.
Tennis Racquets
Major factors when considering tennis racquets are head size, weight, length, type, cost and grip size.
Head size: the size of the area where the strings are – is by and large provided in square inches. The smaller the head, the more maneuverable and control-oriented the racquet will be; the bigger the head, the more margin for error and power a racquet will have. Most beginners should use a racquet with a head size between 100 and 115 sq. inches – consider the smaller end of the spectrum if you’re coordinated and/or looking to develop long, fluid swings through practice and lessons.
Weight: is usually given in ounces. Generally speaking, a light racquet will be more maneuverable; a heavy racquet will be more stable. Beginners should choose a racquet that weighs somewhere between 9.5 and 11 ounces – on the heavier end if you’re strong or relatively athletic.
Length: is measured from the cap of its handle to the top of its head. Longer racquets, the theory goes, give you more leverage on serves and greater reach on volleys; shorter racquets are more maneuverable. Until you’ve played long enough to know what your strengths and weaknesses are – and what you need from your racquet – it’s best to play with a racquet with a standard 27-inch length.
Type: Racquets today can be broadly (and somewhat crudely) divided into two categories: Frames made primarily out of aluminum, and frames made primarily out of graphite. Aluminum frames are usually sold pre-strung (i.e., with strings). They’re a great choice if you’re unsure you want to commit to playing long term or if you just want to whack a few balls around with friends. What’s more, they’re affordable: only about $30 in sporting goods stores. But if you are looking to commit to the game – and plan to join a team and/or take lessons – go ahead and buy a racquet made out of graphite. A graphite frame’s light weight and rigid construction make it much more powerful and accurate. And if you take care of it, it should last you for multiple years.
Cost: the prices of graphite frames range greatly, from about $60 to upward of $300. If you’re on a budget, a great way to get value for your money is to go online or to your local pro shop and look for sales on older, discontinued models. Sometimes you can find an extremely nice racquet that’s only a few years old for less than $100.
Grip Size: Proper grip size avoids pain. To measure the correct grip size, hold your racket hand out palm side up, and measure from the crease of the ring finger to the tip of the ring finger. This should be the measurement around your racket handle, generally about four inches in diameter. Most grip sizes are 4 1/4”, 4 3/8”, 4 1/2”, or 4 5/8”.
Tennis Shoes
You’ve probably heard that if you wait until you’re thirsty to have a drink, it’s too late – you’re already dehydrated. Well, the same idea applies to tennis shoes. If your traction is compromised, or after playing you feel more soreness in your ankles, knees or lower back than usual, your kicks have likely already passed their expiration date.
There’s no exact science to determining the life span of your tennis shoes. Unlike a car needing an oil change, shoes don’t obey odometers. And different models have different lifespans. Lightweight shoes sometimes are not as supportive or padded and tend to wear out more quickly, while heavier, more stable, more cushioned shoes are often sturdier and provide longer wear.
But there are other considerations as well. Bigger players will wear out shows more quickly, and the frequency and style of play – as well as the court surface on which you’re most frequently playing – also plays a role. For instance, a serious baseliner hitting the hard courts several days a week will obviously do more damage to his or her shoes than a casual doubles clay-courter.
In short, how often or aggressively you play can determine whether you need a new pair every few months or as infrequently as once a year.
If your shoes don’t squeak anymore on a hard court; if they’re no longer providing the traction to which you’ve become accustomed, or you’re feeling more foot and ankle soreness than usual after playing, those are all tell-tale signs that your shoes have seen better days.
But even if you don’t notice those signs, the general rule of thumb is about 45-60 hours before the midsole is worn out. So if you play once a week for an hour, you should be replacing your shoes at least once a year.
Strings
Generally speaking, the tennis axiom goes, the tighter you string your racquet, the more control you have over your shots. The looser the tension, the more power.
The theory behind tighter strings resulting in more control derives from several factors. The first element is string movement, which looser strings have more of. If a string moves more on impact, the resulting ball trajectories will be less predictable. Think of throwing a ball against a concrete wall (tight string bed) vs. throwing it against a pitch back (loose strings). The wall will have the more consistent response.
The next consideration is the amount of time the ball stays in contact with the strings (aka, dwell time). A ball will have greater dwell time on a more loosely strung racquet. That means as the racquet continues out and up on its swing, the ball will have a higher launch point. This can result in greater depth, which some also equate (probably incorrectly) with increased power. The ball isn’t traveling faster, but it is traveling farther.
However, the more time a ball spends on a string bed, the more things can go wrong. The ball can slide to a less desirable part of the racquet face, causing a mishit or loss of power. Plus, the added depth of a looser strung racquet may actually be disadvantageous if shots are consistently long.
All that said, there is little scientific evidence to prove that a couple of pounds’ difference in string tension causes significant spikes in power or control. Things like faulty mechanics, poor shot selection and over-aggression will cause far more errors than string tension ever will.
But as long as you don’t mind a firmer feel, it can’t hurt to bump up the tension a few pounds to see if you’re looking to lower a consistently high error count. Perception can be reality, and many players perceive tighter strings to result in better control. Which, in a hugely mental endeavor like tennis, is hugely important.
Clothing
First, a word about the phrase “proper tennis attire”. Fashion in tennis varies wildly. What one person considers fun or charismatic might be seen as tacky or inappropriate by others. What one person considers in good taste might be considered boring or lame by another. The truth is, there is no set ground rules for what proper tennis attire is UNLESS there are rules stipulated by the club or tennis center you’re playing at. For instance, some clubs adhere to something like this:
“Men must wear tennis shorts. Collared polo-style shirts, crew-collared tennis shirts and tennis themed t-shirts are acceptable. Women must wear tennis shorts, skirts or dresses. Tank tops, crew-collared tennis shirts, traditional polo-style shirts and tennis themed t-shirts are acceptable.”
There are other tennis clubs that still adhere to the all-white clothing policy. Our best advice: pay attention and ask if you’re unsure. Better to show up properly dressed and relaxed than antsy or on edge.
At most public or non-member facilities, attire is somewhat more relaxed. Certainly, the same is true at public parks or schools. With that said, we recommend making your fashion choices based on what is generally seen as appropriate in every day life. A good rule of thumb is if you can stop at the grocery store on your way to play tennis, you are probably dressed fine.
Now onto the fun stuff. Pay particular attention to your choices of:
Shirts: probably the part of fashion that has changed most over the years for men and women. For years, cotton was the fabric of choice for tennis clothes. In the last few years, however, many tennis apparel makers have introduced garments made of new, synthetic fibers. Nike’s Dri-Fit is one such brand you might be familiar with. Tennis clothes made of these synthetic fibers help remove sweat from the skin and clothing by wicking moisture away from the body. Women and increasingly men (Thank you, Rafa) opt for sleeveless shirts because of the extra comfort. Check to make sure sleeveless is appropriate where you play.
Shorts and Skirts: again, breath-ability is key here. Also, pay attention to the waistband - we recommend an elastic waist for extra comfort. Tennis bottoms should be flexible and lightweight. Like shirts, most manufacturers offer shorts made of hybrid polyester/spandex material or some type of stretch-woven fabric for a more athletic fit. Don’t forget about pockets to keep that extra tennis ball handy!
Socks: one of the most important and least-talked about parts of your fashion game. Very similar guidelines for socks as shirts and shorts apply: multiple fabric blends are key to keep feet dry. A mix of polyester, nylon, cotton, spandex usually works best. Both heel and toe padding are important too. The more aggressive player or athlete you are, the more likely you will find yourself jamming your toes right up against the front of your shoe. You’ll want to make sure there is adequate padding while maintaining comfort and feel for your toes.
Leggings or Spandex: We mention this mostly because some of these fashions are popular for athletes trying to keep extra warmth on their legs perhaps due to an injury or nursing flexibility issues. The extra layer of spandex-like material on the legs can be helpful to loosen muscles up. Our recommendation is that you be sure to try on any extra layers or garments by going for a short jog. You don’t want to show up for a lesson or match and find the leggings or spandex is more uncomfortable than it is helpful.
Accessories
Some of the most popular tennis accessories are both useful, and make great and colorful additions to your style on court. We discuss some of the more popular items more below:
Grips: Some players like to use overgrips, or an additional grip on top of the grip that comes manufactured with the racquet. The reason for this is most often due to comfort or extra cushion in your hand. Sometimes, size is an issue and if a player is in-between the standard grip sizes, an extra overgrip helps to get that perfect feel. Lastly, additional grips come in a wide variety of colors, styles and patterns. Some people just like the look of them and that’s OK too. If you want to veer away from the standard black or beige grip that usually comes with your racquet, go for it!
Headbands and Wristbands: Most professionals employ wristbands at the very least. We recommend getting 2-3 pairs of wristbands that you can use especially when the temperature is hot and you are perspiring. The natural example of why wristbands are important is in-between points when you use your wrists to wipe off sweat from your forehead (in the absence of a towel). The best reason to wear wristbands is to keep sweat from traveling down your arm(s) into the palm of your hand creating a slippery grip. Some players only wear a wristband on their dominant wrist; others wear them on both wrists. Headbands have the great use of keeping sweat from dripping from your forehead into your eyes.
Hats and Visors: These are especially handy on sunny days, or days when you find yourself looking directly into the sunlight to serve or retrieve lobs. They also serve to soak up moisture or sweat prior to perspiration running down your face or into your eyes. A majority of players especially at competitive levels will utilize either a headband or a hat for these reasons.
Eyewear: Glasses have become increasingly en vogue in recent years. For those players comfortable wearing spectacles while running around vigorously, go for it! Many players find glasses bothersome especially if perspiring a lot. For years however, triathletes and other elite athletes have used some form of sun/glare/eye protection with great results. If you find the right solution for your eyes, it can increase your vision on days when there is a high amount of sunlight or glare.
Miscellaneous Items
A few quick words about some other miscellaneous but very necessary items. In fact, our equipment bags that we bring on court contain each of these items.
Sunscreen: Sweat-proof sunscreen is a necessity even if you have to re-apply during the course of a match. If the match is not causing you to run or sweat a lot, sunscreen is even more important in constantly guarding your skin against any harmful effects of the sun’s rays. Given the amount of exposure tennis players have to outdoor elements, it is important to not forget about sunscreen with high SPF.
Towels: Most tennis clubs or facilities will have complementary towels on hand for you to use. Always make sure to have your favorite towel in your bag as a backup. A nice, soft, fluffy cotton towel can be a great friend when in the heat of competition.
Water or Hydrating Beverage: It goes without saying that due to the high number of calories burned playing tennis that is necessary to be replenishing fluids. Water is the best option, but certainly any of the less-sugary performance drinks high in electrolytes are great too. Avoid soda or carbonated beverages as they do not hydrate well and sometimes act as the opposite, a diuretic. The rule of thumb is that if you start to feel thirsty on the tennis court, chances are you are already dehydrated. So drink a liter or so of water or Gatorade prior to arriving on court, and you’ll be in good shape.
Bathroom: Lastly, remember to hit the bathroom before you go on court…especially if you’ve been drinking a lot of water like you’re supposed to!