The last few months for me have been heavily influenced by tennis culture, what with Wimbledon, the French Open, and Challengers before that. This all, conveniently, coincided with my own journey into the sport with private lessons every Sunday. So if I wasn’t watching tennis on the big screen or catching Instagram Reels on my work break, I was getting tips from a 19-year-old on his summer off from college telling me for the eighth time how I was holding my racquet incorrectly.
As with starting anything new, there’s always a learning curve–one that can be daunting (and embarrassing) to figure out. No one wants to feel like a fish out of water, but when starting out in tennis, new players will inevitably have a point where they walk onto the court in shoes that don’t fit and a racquet that’s not exactly right and just hope for the best. At the end of the day, showing up is half the battle.
Having lived through my own tennis fumbles this year, I have a better sense of what has worked for me and what is approved by both my tennis-obsessed friends and instructor alike.
Finding the Right Fit
Tennis is a great balance of both aerobic and anaerobic exercise, mixing both endurance and short bursts of rapid movement.
Because of the sheer amount of time spent running around the court, it’s best to go with something loose-fitting on top and a bit more fitted for the bottoms. For athletic shirts made with polyester or Spandex, size up to allow for a bit more freedom of movement and breathability on the court.
For shorts, a standard fit is best and a lined pair of shorts if preferred. This is especially helpful for men, as that extra bit of support makes for a more comfortable game while not having to worry, for example, about a jock.
As for shoes, you want a comfortable fit that’s just a bit more snug than your regular everyday shoes. If your shoes are too big, you run the risk of injury, as so much of your footwork depends on being swift on your feet and having total maneuverability. Even if there is a half-inch of room at the top of your shoe, your muscles aren’t accounting for this differential and you are more apt to trip. Try playing in your standard size as well as a half size down to see what works best with the socks you’d wear on the court. That way, you’re considering every variable before you even get on the court.
The Racquet Question
I’ll be honest with you here: during my first tennis lesson, I brought with me a $13 child’s racquet I had gotten in an Easter basket during high school from my mother. I didn’t know any better and I could see my instructor try not to laugh.
To avoid the same mistake, keep these components in mind when choosing your first racquet:
-
Head size:
For beginners, choose a racquet with a larger head that’s at or over 100 square inches. That will give you a larger contact area with the ball, making it easier to hit while you are developing your skills.
-
Weight:
You’d be surprised how heavy some racquets can be. Tennis heavily relies on a wide range of core, arm, back, leg, and shoulder muscles for every swing. A lighter racquet can help with wrist fatigue on longer games.
-
Grip:
This will ultimately affect how you hold the racquet. You want a grip that feels right for you, is manageable to hold, and offers some overlap between your thumb and forefinger.
A Starter’s Guide to Tennis Gear
Shoes: The Roger Pro 2
On has a clear in with the IYKYK sports crowd, and for good reason. It mixes stylish silhouettes with first-class engineering. The Roger Pro 2 is a continuation of the brand's partnership with tennis legend Roger Federer, and combines a herringbone-shaped tread for traction, a molded heel counter for improved foot lockdown, and a foam midsole for shock absorption.
Buy: $200
Shirt: Nike Rafa Challenger Tennis Top
Getting a shirt that’s breathable is key. You don’t want to be tugging at your hem, trying to cool down between sets. Nike’s Dri-FIT series is all great for workouts, but the Rafa Challenger shirt is a favorite of mine, as it’s made from 100% recycled fibers and is incredibly breathable and sweat-wicking to keep you cool throughout your game.
Buy: $70
Shorts: YPB motionTEK Lined Cardio Short
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I love these shorts from the athletic arm of Abercrombie & Fitch. The interior liner has a bit of compression without bunching to make for an incredibly comfortable workout. Because of the lining, you can opt to workout sans underwear for additional comfort, while still being fully supported in all the right areas. The short itself has a slightly generous leg opening, making for easier movement and the small details--like the hidden zipper pocket--are great for tucking in your keys or wallet without a second thought.
Buy: $49.99
Socks: Nike Everyday Plus Cushioned No-Show Socks
Cardio on a hard court can be killer on your feet. Having a little bit of extra cushion and compression with the right socks can make all the difference in how you feel after your game. Nike’s Everyday Plus no-shows are sweat-wicking, breathable, and have a built-in arch support band, making for socks that may not improve your forehand, but will at least keep you comfortable.
Buy: $28
Racquet Bag: Wilson x Roland-Garros Racquet Bag
There is a seemingly endless number of tennis bags on the market, but I’ve gone back to this one again and again over the last few months. Most athletic gear is markedly minimalistic, but the mixture of tonal colors is so French chic. While this bag can hold up to nine racquets, you can definitely use that extra space for a change of clothes or your water bottle. The ventilated shoe pocket is a nice touch, too, for those who want to keep their stinky sneakers away from their $500 racquet.
Buy: $142
App: SwingVision
Sometimes it’s hard to know just what the heck you’re doing wrong--especially if you’re hitting by yourself. An app like SwingVision can help. By utilizing AI, your iPhone can be used to record games and the app will give feedback, improvement tips, and record videos to analyze for future use. If you’re serious about getting better, downloading this can do the work of an instructor when you don’t have a class scheduled.
Buy (per month): $14.99
Ball Machine: Slinger Tennis Tournament Pack
The reality is that if you’re looking to practice your stroke, you need someone to feed you a ball on the court. This means either paying for a class or finding a friend to play with you. If time or money doesn’t allow it, investing in a ball launcher is the next best thing. Slinger’s ball machine is a portable, well-crafted, and, most importantly, comparably inexpensive option for those who are looking to practice hitting the ball at their own pace. Able to be packed up in a backpack-style carrier, the Slinger has both oscillation and launching technology to meet you at your level, including options to change the launch time from two to seven seconds and an adjustable launch angle from 10 to 40 degrees. While the initial sticker shock may surprise you on this one, it’ll allow for you to keep up the work of practicing your forehand and backhand at a pace that works best for you.
Buy: $649.99
