Essential Items for Your Tennis Bag
Tennis Racquets
First things first, the most important thing to carry in your tennis bag are tennis racquets. Everyone’s racquets will differ and many players will carry a different number of frames with them. Most tournament players will carry anywhere from 6-9 racquets in their bag, while a beginner may only need 1-2 frames. It’s always good to have a couple backup frames just in case a string or racquet breaks. Now you will want to keep your racquets protected so it’s best to put them in the main insulated compartments of your bag. This will help keep outside moisture and sun away from the racquet so you can pick it up and play anytime.
Tennis Balls
[gallery columns="2" size="large" link="none" ids="15026,15027"] Obviously, another crucial item to playing tennis is tennis balls. It doesn’t matter your age, there’s always a need to put a can of tennis balls in your bag. The type of ball will matter depending on what surface you play on, how high the altitude is, and how old you are. Players should also take into account how often they’re playing and how quickly the court surface gets dirty, especially if you’re playing outside.Water Bottle
[gallery size="large" columns="2" link="none" ids="15028,15029"] No matter the temperature you’re playing in, you should always bring a sports drink or water bottle. This is mainly to keep yourself healthy and hydrated so you don’t pass out on the court. Every person is different in what they want to drink during play, but having at least 24 ounces of water is critical. The best water bottles to get are the ones that can stay cool/hot for hours, but there are many types that can fit your needs. Some players may even need to bring a cooler of cold drinks if it’s super hot.Towels
[gallery size="large" columns="2" link="none" ids="15030,15031"] If you’re a heavy sweater like myself, another essential to carry is a towel. They will come in many different sizes and materials to fit your needs. Some will be smaller and come in mostly cotton form to absorb sweat from your body. Others will be larger and come with high-performance technologies that help your body cool down as well as keep your hands dry.Extra Grips and Dampeners
[gallery link="none" size="large" ids="15032,15033,15034"] I always feel the need to add extra overgrips and dampeners to my bag, but not everyone will. I like to play with a dampener on my racquet so in case I lose one I have some backup. Overgrips or replacement grips are always great for when your racquet handle gets too sweaty. You don’t want to play with one grip the whole time and feel like your racquet’s slipping from your hands.Sun Protection
[gallery link="none" size="large" columns="2" ids="15054,15037,15036,15056"] During the hot summer months, it’s great to keep yourself protected from the blistering sun. Some crucial items to carry in your bag then are sunscreen, a hat or visor, headbands, and wristbands. Players may even consider putting some lip balm or Vaseline in their bag in case their lips get dried out during play. It helps keep your body from thinking it’s dehydrated the whole time you play.Extra Clothes
[gallery columns="2" link="none" size="large" ids="15041,15042,15043,15044"] Extra clothing is great to keep in your bag since you never know what the weather may actually be like. In the heat, you may want to bring extra shirts, shorts, socks, and underwear so you can change after or between sets. I constantly have to bring a change of clothes to replace the ones that I’m wearing during the match since I sweat a lot. Indoors or in the cooler months you may want to bring long-sleeved shirts, jackets, or pants. It’s always good to bring extra clothing to keep your body warm rather than freeze and not feel well after.Extra Pair of Shoes
[gallery link="none" size="large" ids="15045,15046,15047"] I think every player should bring another pair of shoes with them to the courts. This helps give your feet some rest after wearing your tennis shoes for 1-4+ hours on the court. Sandals, Running Shoes or another fresh pair of Tennis Shoes will work very well.Stretching Gear
[gallery link="none" size="large" ids="15048,15049,15050"] Not everyone will feel they need to bring warm-up or stretching gear to the court, but it’s good to keep this in your tennis bag. Stretching before and after you play is great for loosening up the body and enabling it to recover fast without pain. A jump rope, therapy bands, hand grips, foam or massage rollers are great additions and they don’t take up a lot of space.Backup Strings
[gallery link="none" size="large" ids="15051,15052,15053"] Some players may need to bring extra strings to the court if they break them often. Usually, this is common for high-level tournament players because they are breaking strings every week or so. Backup strings are great if you don’t have a regular stringer or store to get your racquets restrung.Seasonal Tennis Bag Essentials
While all the above items are necessary to be prepared for any game, the types of items you will have in your bag will vary from season to season. Different clothing even different grips can make a difference depending on the type of weather you're having. Heres a small tennis equipment list to consider when packing for the season.Winter
For winter you will want to change out your wardrobe to something warmer. Long sleeves, leggings, and jackets will help you stay comfortable while you serve. Another item you will want to consider is the type of grip you have for your racquet. Tacky grips are great in the winter since you sweat less and will want a better grip. These types of grips are known for being a bit sticky which helps you keep a better hold of your racquet with every swing.
Solinco Hyper Extra Tacky Tennis Over Grip
Bonus item for those who want to play in the winter but whose hands get too cold.
This glove allows you a firm, warm grip on your racquet inside a mitten. With a small opening on one end, this mitten gives you the ability to hold your racquet while keeping your hand warm. So if your hands can't handle the cold, this just might be a game changer for you.
Summer
In the summertime, with the sun and the heat you will want cooler clothes. Shorts, skorts, tanks, and crop tops, anything to keep you cool and comfortable. You may also want to consider extra towels, socks, headbands, and wristbands to help wick away sweat. These are some of the best tennis accessories to help make your match more comfortable in the summer heat. Small additions like these can help you remain focused on the court as the heat rises.
Adidas Interval Reversible 2.0 Tennis Wristbands
Grips are just as important in summer as in winter. You will want a dryer less tacky grip in the summer since your hands may get sweaty. Here are some good summer grips to consider.
Well, there you have it. All the tennis gear you should carry in your bag to make sure you’re ready for the court. If you want to stock up on this gear now, head over to Tennis Express.
Play Tester: Chris Virk-Brown
Height: 5' 11?
Weight: 205 lbs
NTRP Rating: 4.5
Plays: Right-handed, Two-Handed Backhand
Background: I started the game of tennis in 9th grade after playing basketball and baseball. Through hard work and dedication, I played four years on my varsity team at Liberty High School in Eldersburg, MD, while also playing junior tournaments whenever I could. I was fortunate enough to get recruited to play at Neumann University and play four years of Division III collegiate tennis. While at Neumann I was able to obtain my degree in Marketing and help our team advance twice to the NCAA tournament. After obtaining my undergrad degree, I was able to pursue my Master’s degree in General Management at Elmira College and coach collegiate tennis. Later I went on to coach at Cabrini University and then teach in a variety of incredible venues with Peter Burwash International. Now, in my spare time, I mostly play USTA Leagues and Tournaments to continue enjoying the game I love.
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