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Tennis


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Roaring applause fills your ear as you win the deuce point. You feel the itch of the wool yarn on your palm as you stagger your feet in front of the bold, white line. Sweat beads on your forehead as you begin your rhythm- 1 slow bounce, followed by two fast. “Ad-in,” you say. Up in the air, the ball sails. Your eyes pierce the movement as you wait for the descent back down, your knees starting to buckle. Finally, the ball reaches climax, falls a couple of inches, and your racket smacks the ball. It whizzes forward, hits the ground, and ricochets in the opposite direction. With no time to spend admiring your perfectly executed spin, you sprint back to the middle to get in position for the return.

Tennis is a high-paced, energetic sport. You can play it in teams of 2 or individually. Once you master the forehand, backhand, and serve, you can move onto volleys, lobs, and spin serves. Like riding a bicycle, muscle memory will allow you to perform this sport for years to come, just with less intensity than when you first started. It is a fantastic workout, social event, and sport.

Essentials

  • Tennis Racket
  • Tennis Balls
  • Tennis Backpack
    orTennis Bag
  • Tennis Shoes

Optional

  • Backup Overgrip Band
  • Backup Vibration Dampener
  • Tennis Rosin

Let's start with your right (or left)-hand-man, the tennis racket. Tennis rackets vary in price from as little as $20 up to hundreds of dollars. There are many differences between a cheap and expensive racket, including weight, material, strings, and grip. All of these things will be important as you advance. If you are beginning, start with a mid-priced racket until you can analyze your strengths and weaknesses, then invest in a higher-level racket and see how much your performance changes. You will want to purchase specific tennis shoes. They have a thick, durable piece on the toe that allows you to drag your foot during the serve, a necessary movement. It will last substantially longer than regular sneakers.

As you play, your grip will wear off. It is recommended to purchase a backup overgrip. It improves grip, absorbs sweat, and increases width for a more comfortable hold. If you are especially prone to sweating, you can also buy tennis rosin. It goes directly on the hand and reduces moisture so that you can hold the racket more firmly. Lastly, having a bag to keep these items will prove incredibly useful. It allows a way to have all the convenient items you may need while compacting an otherwise cumbersome load.

Tennis Clothes

  • Shorts
    orSkirt
  • T-Shirt
    orTop
  • Sports Bra
  • Tennis Hard Court Shoes
    orClay Court Tennis Shoes
  • Tennis Socks
  • Towel

Optional

  • Headband
    orCap
  • Sunglasses
  • Wristbands
  • Arm Sleeve
    orElbow Straps
  • Knee Staps
    orKnee Brace
  • Tennis Ball Clips

People, you’re in luck. Tennis outfits can be insanely stylish as well as functional. Tennis skirts are one of the most common pieces of wardrobe and include a spandex material underneath that can hold 2-3 tennis balls securely while you play. If you opt for shorts, ensure the pockets are deep enough to fit multiple tennis balls safely. Having numerous balls stored on you is useful when serving and keeping the game flowing. Be mindful of what kind of court you are playing on. Clay and hard courts require different types of shoes.

Sweating is one of the inevitable enemies of tennis. While you are going to do it, you want to minimize it as much as possible. That’s why many people wear wristbands and headbands to catch sweat. Repeated play can damage the knees, so having knee straps and braces to minimize some of that force can prove helpful in the long term.

Training

  • More Balls
  • Tennis Ball Machine
  • Ball Pickup Tube
    orTennis Ball Hopper
  • Tennis Ball Cart
  • Tennis Donut Rings
  • Sports Agility Ladders

You will require more equipment when you are training than when playing matches. It requires substantially more balls - the more, the better. You can store them in a tennis ball hopper for convenience. The great thing about a hopper is once the balls have been played and are scattered across the court; you can use the hopper to pick the balls up without bending over. All you have to do is press down on the tennis ball, and it will pop through the wiring.

Donut rings are an excellent resource for training as well. You can place them on the opposite side for target practice or to teach correct positioning during serves and volleys.

Health And Emergency

  • Sunscreen
  • Lip Protection

Emergency

  • First-aid kit

Court surfaces reflect large amounts of UV. That's why sunscreen is imperative. It's easy to forget lip protection, but it's also essential. You will soon sport the tan line that tennis players know all too well.

Hard cement or asphalt make up most courts. That means any trip is likely to result in a scrape. Blisters are also very common for your hands and feet. You can invest in kits with the normal first-aid items, but that additionally include splints and braces for rolled ankles and sprains. For quick relief, having a first-aid kit accessible is pertinent.

Technology

  • Phone

Optional

  • Tennis Sensor
  • Sensor Analysis App

Are Serena Williams and Roger Federer inspirations to you? Then kick it into high gear. Having a tennis sensor can drastically improve your skills. Once you download the app, it will assess every ball you hit. It collects data on swing speed, swing type, ball speed, spin, and the location on the racket that it strikes. It will tell you everything you need to know about your game and the areas you can improve.

Picnic

Food

  • Energy Bars
  • Sandwiches
  • Trailmix
    orNuts

Drinks

  • Water
    orHydration Bladder
  • Isotonic Drinks
  • Thermal Bottle with Beverage

Tennis matches require quick movements, sprints, and long-lasting endurance. You will feel the full effects of your efforts afterward. That’s why you will want to stay hydrated and fueled during tournaments, long practices, and multiple matches. Eating nutrient-rich food that won’t leave you sluggish is the best. Energy bars, sandwiches, and trail mix are great for that.

Did you know tennis courts are 15-20 degrees hotter than the air temperature? That means you need water, water, and more water! It will be hot and sweaty, and you will lose valuable electrolytes that need replenishing to stay healthy.

You return to the middle of the court and get there just in time to see your opponent wind up for the return, except it never comes. The ball line drives into the net. Your spin serve juked them out just enough for them to miss hit—game, set, match.

There’s nothing as exhilarating as winning a long-fought match. Each match consists of 3 or 5 sets. Each set has a game within it. To win a game, you must score four or more points and be up by 2 points. It has peculiar scoring and goes in the order of love (0), 15, 30, 40. If you tie at 40, it is called a “deuce.” You cannot win in a deuce. If you gain the deuce point, it will change to “add-in.” If you win that point, then you win the game. If you lose, it goes back to deuce. You must win 2 of the three sets to be the champion of the match. It may seem confusing initially, but you will get the swing (literally) of it in no time!

Be Responsible

Think of our curated lists as your base camp - a good starting point, but you must assess the climb ahead yourself.

Comments


Profile photo of Me
a year ago

I have the Head Boom Team L 2022 Tennis Racquet and I swear by it! Some places even have it on sale right now.

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