Essential Items You Don’t Want to Forget Your Next Tennis Tournament

When you’re on the court during your next tennis tournament, you want your full focus to be on your game. Sometimes last minute inconveniences occur, however, which is why it’s ideal to have your bag ready to save the day. You don’t want to be left scrounging for a racket after a string breaks. You can easily avoid this situation and stay focused on your A-game by preparing beforehand.

This guide will help you prepare for the best so you can effortlessly handle the worst during any tennis match. Ideally, your tennis tournament will go as smoothly as possible. But once you prepare your bag up to these standards, you can take care of any set back without taking a second from your mental focus.

Here’s a list of what to bring to a tennis tournament:

• An Extra Racket, or Three
• A Change of Clothes
• A Pair of Tennis Shoes
• Your Water and A Snack
• What To Bring To A Tennis Tournament: A Towel
• Extra Overgrip

An Extra Racket, or Three

Your tennis racket is your most valuable possession during any tennis tournament. Although your racket should have no problems holding up for one tournament, you never know when a string might decide to snap or a racket to break. This is why professional tennis players often pack up to 9 tennis rackets with them– they aren’t willing to take the risk of what may happen during a tennis tournament if they’re left racketless, and neither should you.

Most beginner and high-performance players aren’t walking around with that many rackets, however, around 2-3 rackets in total is a comfortable number to have. Some professional players also like to have similar models with different features they prefer to use in different parts of the game. You may not be as picky about looser strings and other changes to your racket as your play, but having a backup racket is a must for your tennis tournament.

A Change of Clothes 

Wearing proper tennis gear is a must during any successful tournament. Tennis apparel that fits you well and comfortably, while encouraging your body’s natural movements and stretches, is a major upgrade to your game.

Knowing what tennis apparel to wear is an important aspect to consider before any tennis tournament, and so is bringing along a change of clothing with you. You may need to change at one point, play longer than you anticipated, or play an unplanned match that comes up. It’s also a good idea to bring a warm-up jacket or pants depending on the weather you’re playing in. Whatever the reason, it is essential to have your bag fully equipped with tennis attire so you can be prepared to play a match at any point.

Whether you want to be prepared for the possibility of more than one day of playing, or like to have a fresh shirt when you start a new match, having a change of clothes is a major convenience to any tennis player.

A Pair of Tennis Shoes 

Tennis shoes are another major aspect of your game. It is important to be wearing the most comfortable shoe depending on what surface you’re playing on, and to always bring a back-up pair if you can.

If your tennis tournament is high in intensity, your tennis shoes may get worn down easily. You want to make sure you always have a pair that is in good condition to help you play your best game during your tournaments.

Your Water and a Snack

Don’t forget your water when you pack for a match! Water is necessary to keep you energized and to prevent dehydration during an intense tournament. Small sips go a long way, just make sure to always pack enough water. It’s a good idea to keep an empty bottle in your bag at all times also to be able to fill it up whenever you may need.

Snacks are also a good idea to pack, especially if you have a longer tournament. Some great snacks nutrition researchers recommend eating before and during a match are ones that are high in complex carbohydrates. This includes fruits such as bananas and apples, as well as bagels, granola bars, and crackers.

Most players don’t want to eat a full meal right before a tennis tournament, but these light snacks can give you energy when you’ve been playing for a while, or as a pre-snack to take an hour or so before your game. Either way, they’re a great addition to add to your tennis bag for your next tournament.

What To Bring To A Tennis Tournament: A Towel

Like most sports, tennis tournaments can get very sweaty. This is a normal part of any active match, but you don't want it to negatively impact your game. Over sweating can be distracting and if you don’t have a towel you might not know what to do with your dripping self.

A towel should be at the top of your list when planning what to bring to a tennis tournament. It will ensure you stay comfortable and fresh as can be while you kill it during your next match.

Extra Overgrip

Tennis is all about precision and control over your racket during your strokes and serve. This is why it’s crucial to have a tight grip on your racket. Overgrip is an awesome tool to make sure your racket isn't slipping and sliding out of your hands, especially when a game gets heated and sweaty.

No tennis player wants to get stuck playing with a worn-out overgrip that’s difficult to hold on to. This can also pose the risk of getting blisters and other hand discomforts. To ensure you always have a fresh overgrip on your rackets, bring a handful of them to your next tennis tournament.

Tennis tournaments are exciting to participate in, especially when you’re fully prepared with all the items necessary to be at your best game. Using the tips in this guide, you’ll be sure to always pack a tennis bag for winners.