If you got caught up with all the excitement around Wimbledon and you are thinking of giving tennis a go, it doesn’t have to cost the earth in terms of what equipment you need to start playing tennis.
The basic things you will need are a racket, some balls, a pair of shoes, shorts and a T-Shirt.
Equipment You Will Need
Racket
If you are just a beginner, then you don’t need to break the bank when purchasing your first racket but there are certain things you should look out for.
These include the length, head size, and weight of the racket.
1. Length
The ideal length will depend on your age and you can use the above chart to choose the appropriate length for you.
Adults also have the option of buying rackets with an extended length greater than 27in.
The main benefit to this would be more leverage and therefore more power on your shots.
It also can give you greater reach when pulled out wide on the court.
However, a longer length is not recommended if you use a one handed backhand.
Recommended Length by Age
| Age | Length |
|---|---|
| Under 4 years old | 19in |
| 4-5 years | 21in |
| 6-8 years | 23in |
| 9-10 years | 25in |
| 10-17 years old | 26in |
| 18 years old and over | 27in |
2. Head Size
Rackets are generally split into three different head size types: Midsize (85in to 97in), Mid plus (98in to 104in), and Oversize (105in or larger).
If you are a complete beginner then it is best to have an oversized frame as they will be more forgiving of off center shots and you will have a better chance of keeping your shots in.
As you become more experienced you will find yourself gravitating towards the smaller head sizes but for now, opt for an oversized head size.
3. Weights
Rackets’ weights generally range from light weight frames weighing around 255 – 275g to medium weight frames weighing 275 – 310g.
Rackets weighing over 310g are generally considered heavy weight frames, that are aimed at advanced club players.
If you are a beginner player it is best to have a lightweight frame so that your racket will help you generate some free power on your shots.
As you become more advanced, and you are more able to generate your own power, you will want to get a heavier frame so that you have greater control over your shots.
For more help on buying your first racket, check out our Racket Buying Guide.
Recommended Beginner Racket – Wilson Clash 108
If you are looking for a recommendation for a good beginner racket, then the Wilson Clash 108 is a good pick as it is a lightweight frame, with an oversized head size that gives you good power on your shots.
The Clash 108 is also good if you are worried about getting tennis elbow as it is a very arm-friendly racket and in my opinion, is one of the best rackets for casual players.
Wilson Clash 108 Specs
| Name: | Wilson Clash 108 V2 |
| Design: |  |
| Head Size: | 108 in² |
| Length: | 27.25 in |
| Unstrung Weight: | 280 g |
| String Pattern: | 16 x 19 |
| Stiffness Rating: | 56 |
Where can you buy the Wilson Clash 108?
The Wilson Clash 108 is available to buy from Amazon and if you purchase using the link below you will be helping to support our blog as we will earn a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you.
Tennis Balls
When you first start playing tennis then the type of balls you get, will not matter a great deal but below is a quick synopsis of your options.
Pressureless Balls
Pressureless balls are often used by coaches for training juniors and beginner players as they have a longer lifespan than a pressurized ball and they are also less likely to bounce up as high as regular balls, which makes it easier for beginners to hit them.
Pressurised Tennis Balls
There is a huge selection of pressurized tennis balls on the market and they come in three main types: Regular Duty, Extra Duty, and High Altitude.
Regular Duty
Regular Duty Balls are suited to clay and fast indoor courts.
Regular Duty balls are great if you want a ball that plays fast, but as you would expect, they are less durable than Extra Duty balls.
Extra Duty
Extra Duty Balls are suited to asphalt, concrete, and other outdoor hard courts.
In comparison with Regular Duty balls, extra duty balls play slower but are more durable.
High Altitude
As their name suggests, high-altitude balls are suited for courts above 3,500ft so the vast majority of recreational players will not need to use them.
Shoes
The type of shoes you need depends on the court you will be playing on, as there are different shoes for Hardcourts, Clay Courts, and Grass Courts.
If you are playing on an asphalt or concrete court, you can probably get away with playing using your regular runners but you will want to invest in some quality shoes if you intend on joining a club as the club is likely to require members to wear appropriate footwear at all times to protect the courts.
If you think you will be playing on multiple surfaces then your best option might be to purchase some all-court shoes which as you may have guessed are suitable for all court surfaces.
Click here for an excellent guide from Tennis Warehouse on how to choose the right shoe to play with.
Shorts and a T-Shirt
For clothing, there is no need to overcomplicate matters, so a simple pair of shorts and a T-Shirt are all you need.
Optional Equipment
Wristbands
Although a wristband is not a necessity to play tennis, I would highly recommend getting one as not only can you use them to wipe the sweat off your brow but they are also good for giving your wrist some additional support while hitting your shots.
You can choose between a wide range of wristbands on Amazon.
Vibration Dampener
Vibration Dampeners are placed on your racket to reduce the vibrations from the impact of the ball on your racket.
The main advantage of using one is that it mutes the sound of your shots which many players prefer.
Some say it can also help avoid vibrations causing issues with your arm but any arm benefits are likely to be minimal.
You can choose between a wide range of Vibration Dampeners on Amazon.
Bag
If you plan to play regularly then it is well worth investing in a bag as you will be able to keep your racket, balls, shoes, etc… all in one place.
Ball Machines
If you struggle to find players to practice with, then a ball machine can be a good alternative. However, they can be quite expensive to buy.