Fashion

What Equipment Should Students Buy to Start Playing Tennis?

With the right gear in your bag, you’re ready to hit the court!

January 16, 2023
8 min read

Statistics show that tennis is the 4th most-played sport in the world. It is both a game and an exercise that requires you to use your body and brain, which is the reason why this sport is also favorable among students who like keeping fit. If you are already a pro wanting to compete against other players or you are just seeking a new way to stay fit, it is very important that you own the right equipment so you can play the game and also have fun. The following is a breakdown of the most important equipment that needs to be purchased by any tennis fan who is also aspiring to be a master in the game.

1. Tennis Racket

The most important piece of equipment for a tennis player is obviously the tennis racket. Arthur Ashe, a famous tennis player, once said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” While this is true, you may want to get a proper tennis racket before you start playing instead of using the rented one or a subpar one you may have at home. A good racket will allow you to perfect your strikes and progress your tennis skills faster. Here are the aspects of a tennis racket that you might want to pay attention to:

  • Head size – the bigger the head, the more power you get, and the bigger the sweet spot meaning less impact from mishits.
  • Weight – between 9 and 11 ounces ideal because it won’t fatigue your arm as much as having a heavy or light racket will.
  • Balance – this is about how the grip sets in the racket; you want something that is not extremely head-heavy and not extremely grip-heavy, just a balanced weight.
  • Grip size – does the racket feel good in your hand – it should, because if it doesn’t and doesn’t fit you, a lot of common overuse injuries are more likely, not to mention you won’t control the racket well.

If, as a student, you want to indulge in a new sport but feel like you don't have enough time for it, maybe you should seek academic help. If you are feeling swamped with assignments and overwhelmed, you will be more stressed, which is something that’s bad for your health. Try hiring research paper writers when the load gets too heavy. This will help you stay on track with your schoolwork while having enough time to play your favorite sport.

2. Tennis Balls

You can’t play tennis without tennis balls! If you’ll be playing mostly on hard courts, go with extra-duty felt balls, which are a bit more durable than regular-duty felt balls, which are better for clay courts or indoors. If you’re just starting, you might consider pressureless balls for starters since they don’t lose any bounce and don’t require filling and are thus suited to lots of practice.

3. Proper Footwear

Tennis requires a lot of lateral movements and spurts in running and stopping. So good tennis shoes are a must and should keep you supported, stable, and protected from injury. Choose ones designed for tennis, with good cushioning and arch support. Make certain the sole is durable enough to match the kind of court you’ll be playing on most often. Also, choose quality, breathable socks to keep you comfortable and avoid blisters.

4. Comfortable Apparel

Indeed, going for the right clothes can make you play better and be more comfortable on the court. Pick materials that are as light and porous as possible so that they breathe, wick moisture, and keep you dry and cool. Many tennis clothes are made of fabrics with built-in ultraviolet (UV) protection, which is a plus when playing outdoors. In particular, women will want a good sports bra made for high-impact activity. Guys, conversely, will want fitted shorts with a ball pocket: an under-appreciated perk!

5. Accessories

A couple more add-ons will make your tennis soirée all the more pleasant:

Game, Set, Match!

With the right gear in your bag, you’re ready to hit the court! To start, you need an appropriate tennis racket and balls, comfortable shoes and clothes, and a couple of useful equipment items, and you’re all set. Swinging a racket in the fresh outdoor air is a great workout for the body, but it also offers the life lessons of discipline, resilience, and strategy. Lace up your tennis shoes, swing your racket, and get playing to get fit and have fun!