Every club has that player whose bag produces exactly what is needed — spare grip, fresh balls, plasters — while everyone else borrows. Becoming that player costs surprisingly little. Here is the checklist.
The essentials
- Two rackets, identically strung. A string breaks in the second set; your match should not break with it. Restring both together — schedule in our restringing guide.
- Fresh balls. A new can for matches, decent practice balls for warm-up — see the tennis ball collection.
- Overgrips. Two or three spares, always — a sweaty grip in a third set is a losing grip. Stock the grip range.
- Water bottle. Obvious, forgotten weekly — bottles here.
The comfort layer
- Spare shirt and towel — British summer means both directions of weather; browse men's and women's clothing.
- Court socks, doubled up. Fresh cushioned socks at changeover is the cheapest luxury in tennis.
- Cap and sunscreen — the 6pm serve toss into low sun claims victims all season.
- Plasters and tape — blisters end more matches than cramp.
The bag itself
A proper racket bag earns its price in organisation: thermal compartments protect string tension from hot car boots (real effect, not marketing), ventilated shoe pockets keep kit civilised, and 6-racket formats fit everything above without bulk. Commuting players increasingly prefer racket backpacks — two frames, shoes, kit, done.
The small upgrades that punch up
Vibration dampeners — feel preference, pennies. Stencil ink — mark your strings like the tour does (stencils here). Grip powder for sweaty summers from our accessories wall.
FAQs
Do I really need two rackets?
The moment you enter any league or box competition, yes. String breaks are a when, not an if.
What should juniors carry?
Same list, smaller bag — plus stage-appropriate balls and a snack. See junior rackets and junior clothing.
Thermal bag compartments — gimmick or real?
Real: string tension drops measurably with heat cycles, and a July car boot cooks rackets. Thermal lining blunts the swing.
Kit up in one visit: bags, accessories and rackets — free restring included on every frame.