Whether you are starting tennis for the first time, getting back on court after a break or need a refresher on where you stand with your tennis equipment, the following should help get you started.
Tennis Racquets
What racquet should I get? The “best” racquet will be different for each person. Each racquet has a purpose, customized with individual specifications based on particular playing level and swing style. For more in-depth analysis, please read our Choosing The Right Racquet blog post.
What do these racquet specifications mean? The most common specifications needed are head size, sweet spot, weight, balance, flexibility and string pattern. All conditions vary from player to player. To learn more about racquet specifications, check out our Tennis Racquet Specifications blog post.
Finding your correct grip size is as essential as finding the right racquet but is often overlooked. The proper grip size can not only prevent injury, but it can also lead to increased performance from your racquet. To find out how to find the correct grip size for you, check out our post about Selecting Your Grip Size
Tennis Balls
To determine which type of tennis ball you need, you must first figure out what type of surface you will be playing on.
The two most common courts that you will find in Canada are a hard court or a clay (or hard tru) court.
When playing on hard courts, we recommend using Extra Duty tennis balls. These balls wear out less quickly on a surface that is less forgiving. If you are playing on clay courts we recommend using Regular Duty tennis balls, built with natural rubber for a consistent feel and reduced shock.
To learn more about the difference between the two types of balls check out our Tennis Balls: Regular Duty vs Extra Duty post.
Tennis Shoes
High quality tennis shoes feature lateral support, outriggers, toe guards and flat, thick out-soles. Those unique elements ensure comfort, support, and durability and also help prevent injuries. To learn more about why tennis shoes are so important check out our post about Why You Need Tennis Shoes.
One needs to consider three factors when making a decision on the best tennis shoe for then — foot-type, playing style and court surface. To learn about the different type of shoes that you can reference our post Which Shoe Is Best For You.
If you already have a pair of tennis shoes but are not sure if you can still use them, examine the tread, cushioning and the upper portion of the shoe. For a more in-depth explanation check out our post How To Know When You Need New Tennis Shoes.
Apparel
Beyond tennis clothing for men and women, you might need an extra pair of socks or a change of clothes.
Accessories
Depending on your needs, you can keep it simple or really accessorize.
Some examples are hats & visors, water bottles, racquet accessories like dampeners/shock absorbers and overgrips, hand santizers and sunscreen.
If you need assistance in getting you started beyond the checklist above, the following may help you.
Here is a checklist that will help you to determine what you might be looking for in your major tennis equipment. You may bring this checklist into our stores with you or refer to it when calling our customer service so that we may assist you in determining what gear is best for you and your game.
Click the image below for a larger, printable version:
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