Imagine deciding to scuba dive in Dubai while wearing a bike helmet. Less than ideal, isn’t it? Every adventure would require you to get proper equipment and that applies to Tennis too. Let’s dive into this and explore why you must buy the best tennis equipment because believe it or not, the right equipment can help you not cry a river when you lose the trophy because of your misjudgment.

Why Is It Important to Buy the Right Tennis Equipment?

The right equipment can significantly help you improve your performance on the court, leading you to victory. To start with, good tennis equipment can save you from injuries and fractures. So, for instance, a heavy racket may cause a player fatigue or strain, no proper quality wristbands can make your palms sweaty and can alter your gameplay, the wrong pair of shoes on the court may not be able to provide you with grip or friction, lightweight racket may not hit the ball and… Stop. I get it. Just tell me the important tennis equipment I should look out for.

Here Are Some Important Tennis Equipment You Should Look Out For

Tennis Racket

The most important equipment in pedal or tennis is the tennis racket. Obviously. With the right tennis racket, for example, looking out for an ideal weight, length, string tension, racquet handles, correct grip size etc becomes easier to play with and makes your journey to the trophy worthwhile. Either you buy a premium racket that will probably last long or get a premium racket that will probably last long. Yes, we know we wrote it twice. We don’t recommend you buy a cheap one. But if you haven't felt the feeling of ‘regret’ for a while, buy a low-quality racket for yourself!

Head Size:

Just like anything, even the rackets come out in different shapes and sizes. If you have heard about big heads being better for beginners, you are right. The big head size of the racket can provide you with smooth gameplay and is great for beginners. Small head size, however, is great for players with experience as it helps to provide you with more precision and control.

Size of the Grip:

Finding the right tennis grip size is extremely important. If a tennis grip is too big, it can cause discomfort or injury. Whereas if a tennis grip is too small, it impacts your gameplay negatively. It is recommended to either use the size chart of the racquet grip or use your hand to test out the right fit. A perfect tennis grip racket size helps improve shots and make you feel comfortable.

Model and Brand:

Keeping a check on what model and brand you are playing becomes crucial because if one gets a low-quality tennis racket, this will affect their performance negatively! Scared? Search for your style here.

String pattern:

This depends on your preferences as it can be open (16x19, 16x18) for more power or dense (18x20, 18x19) for enhanced control. Find the right string pattern by either researching more or getting yourself one to see what is the right racket for you by trying it out.

Maintenance and Cost:

The maintenance can be done by keeping an eye on the strings for any signs of tear, and the grip to see if it is worn out and feels damp or slippery. As for the cost, a basic beginner cost for a tennis racket is around $100 to $150 whereas a premium one can cost you about $400 to $450. The cost varies on the brand, model, and your preferences. Find the right racket for yourself here.

Tennis Shoes

Step up your shoe game by putting your comfort and functionality on priority. One should look out for shoes that offer ankle support to prevent major injuries. Another important factor to consider is the different types of outsoles one should wear and for what court type. Optimal comfort and traction in good shoes provide you with distraction-free gameplay. But for now, here are some factors you have to keep in mind:

Court Surface:

There are mainly three types of courts and this is important to know as every court requires a different shoe:

Hard Court shoes should have a sole that can take on the hard surface impact. These shoes are made to provide durability which also features enhanced herringbone structure on the outsole to provide enhanced grip.

Grass Court shoes should have a ‘nubs’ or ‘pimples’ type outsole to provide grip as the grass can be slippery and give minimal traction. These types of shoes also help prevent various injuries to your foot.

Clay Court shoes should have a herringbone structure on the outsole for maximum traction as it can prevent the clay from sticking and provide a better grip.

Comfort:

You cannot buy tennis shoes if you don't prioritize your comfort. This is crucial as bad comfort can affect your gameplay while a good one can enhance your movements. Find the right shoes and the fit, like Cinderella, and walk around in it too to see if those fit your style and preferences.

Weight:

Don’t let the wrong shoe weigh you down. The weight of the tennis shoe is quite important to note. Heavy shoes can support stability and lightweight shoes can provide you with speed on the court. Check for your preferences and the court to see what fits you the best. Pun intended.

Cushioning:

Right cushioning inside the tennis shoe provides comfort, speed, and breathability but too much or too little can affect stability and you can be at risk of getting an injury. It becomes important to keep in mind the right cushioning by researching your preferred shoe and trying it out.

Maintenance:

If you are a pro player and play frequently, you may need to replace your tennis shoes perhaps in 3-6 months as playing often may risk your shoes getting torn and dirty. But if you don’t play often, you may want to replace your shoes every year depending on the damage done to the shoe.

Tennis Balls

Another important accessory is the tennis balls. A wrong tennis ball can change the course of your game so making sure it is of the right material becomes crucial. They are made of a hollow rubber core which is covered in a nylon or wool felt as this typically helps the ball’s bounce and durability. With the right style and tennis equipment, one can surely serve better on the court. Pun intended, again.

Pressurized Tennis Ball:

These tennis balls have a hollow core that is filled with air which provides bounce and are quite commonly used during tennis matches. However, these types of balls typically last for a couple of weeks, and then the air slowly leaks out. These are generally used in tournaments.

Pressureless Tennis Ball:

These tennis balls don’t have air inside of them as the pressurized ones, but they depend on a rubber shell that provides them with bounce. Since there is no risk of leaking air, these tend to last longer and are preferred more during training and professional matches.

Stages and Colors:

These balls are best suitable for people who are starting to play or children as they are larger and have less bounce compared to the other ones which makes them ideal for beginners. Here is the cool part. They are divided into three stages - (Red) Stage 3 for beginners, (Orange) Stage 2 for intermediate players, and (Green) for advanced juniors.

Professional and Championship Tennis Balls:

Professional tennis balls are high-end balls that are used in Glam Slam events. Though being less durable in the long run, they offer the best functionality and first-class experience. The championship tennis balls give balance and performance and are mid-range balls often used in local tournaments.

Tennis Grips

A tennis grip, as the name suggests, is a piece of tennis equipment that is made of leather or synthetic material. This is wrapped around the handle of the tennis racket to provide optimal comfort and grip. It also helps in absorbing sweat keeping you dry. The tennis grip becomes important for players as it provides more control and comfort on the court. There are various types of grips to support one’s style and shots.

Replacement Grip:

This grip is generally thicker and it is directly wrapped around the handle of the tennis racket. It is a base grip that either comes with the racket or replaces the grip. Grip being thicker, this provides comfort and helps you to stay sweat-free.

Overgrip:

This is a thin grip compared to the replacement grip. This tennis grip can be replaced now and then to maintain hygiene. This adds better grip while playing on the tennis court. Being thin, the player can adjust the thickness of the tennis racket to their preference without the risk of permanency.

Maintenance:

To maintain a tennis grip, you should replace it every 7-8 hours if you are playing frequently. If you do not play often, say 2-3 times a week, you can change it every month. However, if the gip gets worn out, dirty, or unhygienic, you should change it immediately and buy a new one.

Vibration Dampeners

A vibration dampener is an equipment that is attached to the strings of the tennis racket. It helps to lessen the vibration when the ball hits the racket. The sound of “ping” when it hits the racket may provide a distraction for the player and can potentially negatively impact the gameplay. So to reduce the sound, a dampener is placed that absorbs the vibration or the shock produced by the strike, and hence, the sound is diminished.

Maintenance:

There are no hard rules as to when one should replace the dampeners. It depends on your comfort level, style preference, and the condition of the vibration dampener. As long as it absorbs the vibration well, and is in good condition, you are good to go and no need to replace it. However, if it is broken, has cracks, or is performing poorly, you can buy a new one.

Tennis Bag

Well, this is not racket science, you know what I did here hehe, that one would use a tennis bag for keeping your tennis racket, but a good bag should be comfortable enough to carry and spacious enough for the athletes to keep all the required accessories in it.

Some Quality Tennis Equipment for You to Start With: