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.
