53 Great Gifts For a Tennis Player

As an Amazon Associate, Ultimatetennisgear earns from qualifying purchases. This post contains links which generate commission at no cost to you if you purchase through the link. Find out more about affiliate links here.

---

The Hollywood version of a nightmare revolves around zombies, bad makeup and hysterical shouting, but the real world offers something far more terrifying – present buying. Even the best intentions can go horribly pear-shaped with just a click of a mouse. Don’t despair though… we’ve got a list of great gifts for the tennis player in your life that will actually get used, rather than gathering dust at the back of some distant cupboard. One important note: just because somebody likes hitting a ball over a net, it doesn’t follow that they want everything in their house to be adorned with pictures of tennis balls, or to be confronted by annoying trinkets with tedious tennis themed ‘motivational’ phrases. However much you hate somebody, don’t go there. Life is too short to waste.

Balls

With the spotlight on racquets and fancy new gear, its easy to forget the humble old tennis ball, but without it the game looks rather silly. Regular players get through lots of balls, so a few cans (or even a case) will always be appreciated. Regular duty balls are made for clay and grass courts, extra duty are for hard courts. Low compression balls are for beginners and kids – the reduced bounce and speed makes them easier to play with.

Grips

Like balls, grips are a consumable item for the tennis player. Good players hold their racquet gently, especially when hitting hard – a worn grip forces you to tense up the hand, which in turn will prevent proper motion. Changing a grip regularly is essential, so multi packs are a great gift for any player.

Grip powder or cloth

Rosin grip powder is a great product for playing in hot, humid conditions. It helps to prevent a loss of grip by controlling sweat. Tack rags help in a slightly different way: they produce a tacky feel that enhances grip – they are popular in cooler conditions.

Sweat bands

Sweat bands are not just some fashion throwback to the ’70s… they really do help tame sweat on a hot day. There’s nothing worse than losing your grip and watching your expensive racquet sailing menacingly towards your opponent… or having shampoo infused beads of sweat run from your hair into your eyes causing stinging. If you play in really hot, humid conditions, keep a spare in your kit bag so you can swap out during a match.

Headbands come in a dizzying array of sizes and styles, but they can basically be divided up into traditional and tie types. Traditional types are expandable and can add a much needed element of Bjorn Borg to your style. Tie types are increasingly popular and tie at the back of the head… perhaps not the best choice for young children.

An upgraded racquet

Any intermediate and above tennis player needs a second racquet in case a string breaks. A word of warning though – racquets are a very personal thing. The more advanced a player, the stronger a preference they’re likely to have. That said, there are some go-to classics that are safe bets if you know a few details about somebody’s game style.

Training bands / resistance bands

Great for warm-ups, strength and conditioning work. Every pro has a set, and for good reason. Bands can be combined to give a greater variety of resistances.

Reaction ball

Don’t be put off by the strange looks: they’re designed to bounce unpredictably off a wall or floor, providing a challenging catch. They help to develop quick reflexes, hand eye coordination, footwork and balance.

Foam roller

A simple way to do deep tissue massage and recovery, keeping those muscles in top working order.

Massage gun

Sooth tired muscles the easy way – a gift for the tennis player in your life that you can secretly use yourself

Finger blister wraps

Even the best players get blisters, and pros like Nadal turn to these to help. You can protect an existing blister, or prevent a new one with this great tape. Raffa uses the Mueller Sports tape, but the Meister is also highly rated at a lower price.

Proper sports sun cream

High quality sports sun cream may not be the coolest present for a tennis player, but it’ll be a whole lot more welcome than premature ageing and skin cancer. We’re not going to recommend a particular product, as this is far too important a subject for a tennis gear blog so use reputable resources like Consumer Reports to evaluate products. Don’t hit the courts without it, and make sure you apply well before you start playing or go out in the heat. Take special care if you have kids – they tend to be pretty rubbish at applying it themselves and their skin is particularly sensitive -an alarming amount of skin damage occurs before the age of 18. Be warned!

Tennis sunglasses

Sunglasses come in a huge variety – aimed at everything from grabbing attention as you stroll downtown to spotting fish in sunny conditions. Even tennis players have a range of eye wear designed especially for us: coloured lenses that are optimized to highlight balls, lightweight frames and secure arms that won’t fly off. They sure beat squinting for hours on end.

Kinesiology therapy tape

As we age, our bodies have an annoying habit of accumulating various aches and pains. Some well applied tape can do wonders for a whole range of problems – just look at how many pros are taped up before and during games. If you have a problem area, its a good idea to consult a physio or other expert to learn the exact way to tape for maximum benefit.

Hydration (electrolyte) mix powder

Turbocharge your water bottle with hydration powder. It replaces important electrolytes lost in sweat, allowing you to play harder, especially in hot and humid conditions. Mixes can contain electrolytes (essential minerals) on their own, or have added carbohydrates to provide energy. If you’re working out hard and sweating lots, then choose a product with enough sodium to give you at least 300 milligrams per hour of exercise. Remember to consult your doctor before starting a serious exercise regime, and if you have any underlying medical conditions. Nutritional needs are very personal.

Energy gel

Players traditionally munched on a banana between changeovers, but science has evolved and now a new range of energy gels are being used at both the professional and club level. They can contain a dizzying array of supplements to energize and maintain your performance. Can be taken on their own, but many people like to consume with drink.

Water bottle

We all have water bottles, but few are large enough for a serious work out in the heat. Choose an insulated bottle, as the combination of a hot court surface and sun can heat up unprotected drink in minutes.

Fitness tracker

Add some science to your workouts and games: if you want to increase your fitness quickly, then you need some basic data to track your performance.

Apple / Android watch

A strange one for a list about tennis accessories, but if you’re a parent on court, you need to keep up with the latest domestic emergencies. Playing with a phone in your pocket is a real pain, and having your silicon friend fall out of your pocket and smash on the ground makes for an expensive afternoon. A smart watch is the perfect solution: a minimalist way to keep in touch with the world while keeping your attention firmly on the game. Pay a little extra and you can even connect your watch directly to your cell network, so you don’t need to stay within Bluetooth range of your phone.

Kit bag

Its surprising how much gear you end up carting around, because there’s nothing worse than driving all the way to the court, waiting for your reservation, only to find you haven’t got some essential bit of kit. On a hot day you’ll need sweat bands and a towel, sunscreen, sports sunglasses and a hat, a long session cries out for an energy bar or two, an important game might justify a new grip and new balls, a finger might benefit from taping to prevent a blister…the list goes on, but a decent sized and well packed bag is the only thing you need to remember as you escape the house and run to the car.

Babolat racquet bags are a great solution for corralling a load of tennis gear. The RH6 is designed for six racquets, but even if you only have one, you’ll soon fill it up with essentials. The larger RH12 is good for 12 racquets, or two racquets and all the gear and change of clothing you’ll ever need.

Tennis rucksack

If you cycle or take the bus to the courts, then a traditional tennis bag isn’t ideal: you need a rucksack. They’re usually not as large, but good design allows you to carry all the essentials.

Tote bag

An fashionable alternative to a traditional tennis kit bag, the tote bag stores racquets in a vertical position. The smaller footprint makes them more convenient to put in the passenger seat of a car or store around the house. If you step on a tote bag, you’re also slightly less likely to break your expensive racquet.

Towel

Stealing the wife’s best towel and taking it to a tennis game is a sure-fire way to get into trouble… and they never quite look right when liberated from their natural bathroom environment. Save the lecture and give the gift of a nice tennis towel instead.

Hat/visor

Playing with the sun in your eyes is no fun, which is why so many professional players wear hats. A good hat can also keep the sun off your forehead, meaning you don’t have to wear sunscreen there – if you’ve ever had sunscreen infused sweat dripping into your eyes, you’ll appreciate that. (Please use sunscreen on the rest of your face regardless of whether you’re wearing a hat – up to 80% of premature ageing is due to sun exposure…. and skin cancer is nasty)

Clothing

Take a look at old photos of Andre Agassi from the ’80s and you quickly realize that tennis fashions can be, at best, fleeting. That said, every tennis player can benefit from high quality athletic wear, as it feels much more comfortable, can wick moisture away from the skin and moves correctly with the body. Decent shorts and skirts, tops and socks repay the investment many times over, especially when you’re playing in the heat.

Hipster ball band

Ball bands allow you to hold a couple of balls when you don’t have pockets – very useful when you’re serving in a game

Shoes

Good shoes are always an investment – they feel good, grip well and support the foot correctly. The harder you play, the more shoes go from fashion statement to essential bit of kit. If you know somebody’s exact foot size and width, then a new set of shoes will always go down well. Regular players will get through at least a pair each year (assume a pair will get about 50 hours of court use before the tread wears down and grip suffers).

Most shoes are all surface, but there are also specialist offerings with grips that are fine tuned for clay or grass. The shoes below are designed for clay, and can give a player that extra bit of control

Sports gear storage solutions

Guaranteed not to get the pulse rushing, but something you’ll be glad you bought. Sports gear multiplies faster than a field of rabbits, and essential items can disappear even faster, so check out these useful storage devices.

Tennis Channel subscription

In the fragmented world of sports broadcasts, its great to have one go-to place for tennis. The tennis channel gives you access to tons of live action as it follows the professional tours around the world.

Club membership

Municipal courts are the traditional gateway to the sport, but there’s nothing like being a member of a club and meeting lots of players in the area. Clubs are far more than just hitting a ball over a net: they provide a great social experience, access to discounted coaching, competitions and a great place for kids to hang out. If you’re new to an area, then a club membership is a great way to feel part of the community.

Coaching session

The world’s top players wouldn’t dream of stepping onto a practice court without a coach present – a good coach can diagnose faults, put together exercises to correct them and generally supercharge your tennis development. The benefits of a coaching session last far beyond the end of the lesson too: every time you step on court, a little voice in your head can keep you on the straight and narrow path. Truly the gift that keep giving.

Tickets to a tournament

There’s nothing like seeing the world’s top players in the flesh – you really get to appreciate their speed and just how hard they strike the ball. Visit your local tournament, or take a trip to one of the large events around the country. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the practice courts – there you can see top players mere feet away, and most of them are more than happy to sign autographs and pose for a photograph. Talking autographs, don’t forget to take a sharpie or two.

Tennis camp

Tennis camps are one of the fastest ways to improve, as well as being a fun social time. A great way to get kids (or partners) off screens and out of the house. You could even combine a camp with a family holiday – adults can explore while the kids are having their own fun. Check out the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy on the French Riviera. Not the worst place in the world for a vacation!

Subscription to an online training programme

Youtube has a ton of great content, but nothing can beat a dedicated online tennis site. Top Court is a great place to start – its highly rated and contains coaching clinics from greats such as Brad Gilbert and Nick Bolletieri, along with lessons from current professional players such as Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Nick Kyrgios and Iga Swiatek.

Subscription to USTA

Buy a USTA membership and join a community of over 570,000 tennis fans, players and enthusiasts. You get access to USTA sanctioned leagues and tournaments, an opportunity to qualify for a national rating and ranking and access to early purchase /discounted seats at pro tour events. Junior memberships are free. Adult memberships are $44 dollars, which also gives you access to complementary and discounted gear.

Books with a tennis theme

Tennis has a rich history of characters, events and traditions, along with lots of books dedicated to improving your game.

Radar gun

Take a radar speed gun to a tennis club and it will be like a magnet for tennis players… everybody will want to measure their serve speed, and you’ll hear some wonderfully imaginative excuses for low numbers! Putting an exact figure on your serve speed is not just interesting, its also a very useful way to track progress and set goals. It can also allow you to evaluate racquet / string performance in a more scientific way. The geeky toy that everyone will want to play with.

Training aid

A key part of mastering a stroke is learning how it feels. There’s no time to watch the racquet as you play a shot – you have to rely on muscle memory, which is developed from repetition. Training aids are a great way to build muscle memory without having to be on court.

Ball pickup tube

The easy way to pick up multiple balls after practice that doubles as a convenient storage solution. Ball pickup tubes save your back and save you time. The Gamma tube holds up to 18 balls, or for a little extra the Tourna tube will pick up tennis and pickleball balls.

Ball hopper

If you’re teaching a youngster to play, or are wanting to improve your serve, there are few things more useful than a ball hopper. The underside is designed to allow you to pick balls up, and the tops often have a closure to prevent balls flying all over the place in your car when you brake. Some have handles that flip around to act as a stand, making it easier to grab balls as you practice your serve.

Ball cart

If you have your own court, then a wire mesh ball cart is an extremely efficient way of managing all your gear – there’s a reason every coaching pro has one. Alternatively, the smaller mesh versions are also very useful and portable, especially if you’re coaching a child. They store over 100 balls and allow you to grab a handful without bending over. They can be combined with a ball hopper for picking balls up from the ground.

Functional tennis pointer

These may seem like a cruel trick to play on a tennis player, but they actually work wonders by forcing the player to concentrate on footwork and contact point. Take your eye off the ball or get lazy on footwork and the ball will fly past you like a scalded cat.

Cell phone stand

Watching a video of yourself playing is a fantastic, if sometimes unsettling, way of analyzing your game. A video lets you see what you’re actually doing, and if you contrast and compare to some of the excellent youtube videos of slow motion strokes by pros, you can supercharge your tennis development. Check out this article on the use of smart phones. To get the best results, you’ll need a cell phone stand and an app that allows voice control of video. The magnetic option is great if you have steel net posts and netting supports, whereas the tripod allows you to position the camera anywhere on court.

String savers

Often used to protect expensive gut and delicate multifiliment strings, string savers go in between the strings when they cross, reducing friction and therefore wear. They can reduce feel very slightly, as well as increasing tension, so you might consider stringing a pound or so lighter. You only need to add them near the sweet spot where most balls are hit and string wear is most pronounced. Used by pros like Roger Federer and Pete Sampras who often strung with natural gut.

Strings

If the object of your affection has a favorite string and gets through them fairly regularly, then buy a reel of string… just make sure its the same stuff and in the same thickness. This can save real money when you get a restring. A reel of string is 660 feet long, a half reel 330 feet. If you fancy experimenting, string can be bought in individual packs, but it works out more expensive. Note the Babolat VS natural gut featured below is a single set – gut is the most expensive string out there, but also offers unrivaled feel and play-ability for an advanced player.

Lead tape

Racquet manufacturers make an excellent job of balancing a whole load of characteristics to make a racquet work for as many people as possible. That said, there are times when the addition of a little extra weight in the right place can fine tune a racquet to better suit an individual. Swing weight, plough-through and stability can all be enhanced, and lead tape allows you to do this. Physically strong players with a fast swing who play at a high level will probably benefit the most.

Balance board

A wonderfully geeky present for the player with multiple racquets who likes to experiment with adding weight, or somebody who wants to make sure all their racquets feel identical. Not for the casual player!

Ball stamp

Sounds like a medieval form of torture, but these are actually extremely useful to help you keep track of your expensive new tennis balls. Few things are as annoying as ending the day with two immaculate balls and a random one that looks like its gone nine rounds with a teething puppy.

Ball machine

Ball machines are the ultimate toy for a tennis player – its like having a practice partner with unlimited patience, perfect strokes and 250 balls stuffed into their pocket. They allow you to hone your technique, push yourself to the point of making mistakes without having to constantly apologize for your errors and hit an unbelievable number of balls per hour. Entry level models are affordable and portable, but the big expensive models like you see in clubs can really offer power and adjustability. If you have your own court, a ball machine will get you hitting every day and really make the most of your investment. Alternatively, if you play with a group, why not all invest in a decent portable machine and share it. Your game will improve rapidly if you start hitting 1000 balls a week!

Wimbledon Towel

Each tour event has its own merchandise, but nothing can compete with the iconic Wimbledon Towel. Its the exact one players use on court, and will never go out of style. Click here for the official Wimbledon Shop.

Stringing machine

A wonderful machine for the serious tennis player who breaks lots of strings. Buy string by the reel and learn to prepare your racquets exactly how you want. There’s a learning curve to using a machine properly, but there are lots of excellent videos to help. Another bonus: you can always sell them at some time in the future – broken strings ain’t going out of fashion any time soon!

Model ranges start with an adjustable tensioner weight, mid market models have a manual tension winder and high end machines have an electronically controlled constant pull tensioner for maximum accuracy.

Autographed ball

The best way to get an autographed ball is to hang around the practice courts at a pro tournament, but if you can’t do that, or if your hero no longer plays, then buying an autographed ball is a good option. They make great display items that will appeal to true fans… just keep away from the family pet. Click here to search the Sports Memorabilia site on Amazon

Bluetooth headphones

A bizarre one to have on a list of gifts for tennis fans? Hear me out: few things can make getting fit less boring than a decent set of headphones – music can lift your mood, distract from pain and exhaustion and generally elevate an experience. Headphones will even allow you to go for a healthy walk as you listen to Nigel from Accounts drone on about the latest administrative software miracle. Music is a great way to get in the zone before a match – just look at video of professional players wandering around a tennis tournament in between matches: you’d be hard pressed to see anybody not wearing headphones.

The classic ‘Hall Pass’

If you’re married or in a serious relationship, a Hall Pass is the one of the greatest gifts you can give your partner. Offer to take care of the kids/dog/cook dinner and generally hold the fort down, while they play tennis for a set number of times. Could be once a week, twice a weekend, a certain number of times per month: the format doesn’t matter, the point is that your partner gets to go to the tennis club guilt free. To add an official element, print passes up, complete with terms and conditions.