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1) TENNIS SHOES
Invest in a pair of comfortable tennis shoes with good support and grip. Playing tennis involves a lot of fast movements, so shoes play a crucial role in reducing the risk of injury. Remember to choose shoes according to the surface you play on. There are clay shoes, hard court (indoor) shoes, and then all-round/all-court shoes suitable for both clay and hard court.
Choose a racket that suits your playing style and experience level. Beginners should consider a lighter rack with a large sweet spot for easier hits. Good is to ask someone knowledgeable for tips on racks and which strings and kilogram pressure would suit you best.
3) GRIP SIZE
Make sure the grip size of your rack fits your hand properly. Having the right grip size reduces the risk of injury and gives you better control of the ball.
4) GRIPS
Change the overgrip regularly as it wears out over time and loses its function. Having a fresh grip tape gives you better control and feel for the ball. Note that there is both an undergrip and an overgrip. The undergrip (which is included in the rack when you buy a new one) does not need to be changed so often, but the overgrip should be changed about once a month if you play a few times a week. If you practice more than that, you need to change more often, especially when playing on clay as it gets dirty more easily. There are different types of grips, some are sticky which makes your grip more firm and prevents slipping. Some grips are dry, which is perfect if your hands get sweaty easily.
5) ACCESSORIES
Don't forget a full water bottle, sweatband, cap, sunscreen, and sweat towel. If you are going to play for a long time, it is good to also bring a banana or energy drink to keep you going. If you do not have a tennis bag with a built-in shoe bag, buy a separate shoe bag, because it is not fun to have to put sweaty and dirty shoes among your other tennis things.
6) WARM UP & STRETCH
Before every training session or match, be sure to do a proper warm-up, and after training, stretch. This will help prevent injuries and improve your performance on the court. Tip: always carry a jump rope in your tennis bag - jumping rope is a great way to warm up your whole body.
7) TECHNIQUE TRAINING
Take time to learn the right technique for different strokes, such as serve, forehand, backhand, and volley. Listen carefully to your coach! Technical training will give you a strong foundation to become a skilled player. Use training tools to complement your group training to help you improve your technique. Many training tools can be used off-court, which is perfect if you want to do extra practice at home between your group sessions to speed up the learning process.
8) TENNIS BALLS
Always have enough tennis balls with you when practicing on your own. Balls wear out or can disappear, and it's good to have extra balls ready for continued play. It is also good if you wear a tennis skirt, tennis shorts, and tennis tights with pockets so that you don't have to run to get balls so often. There are different balls so make sure to choose the right one for your level. If you're brand new, play with slow balls called orange balls or green balls. For children, there are even slower balls.
9) RULE KNOWLEDGE
Learn the basic rules of tennis to avoid unnecessary loss of points due to ignorance. Understand how scoring works and be aware of the basic rules of serving and hitting.
10) HAVE FUN AND BE PERSISTENT
Tennis can be challenging at first, but don't give up! Have fun on the court and be persistent in improving your skills. The more you play, the better you get.
Hope these tips help you as a beginner to get started and enjoy your tennis adventure. House of Bontin wishes you good luck and is here to support you with all the tennis products you need. HOUSE OF BONTIN is a Quality Partner of the Swedish Tennis Federation.
