What to Wear as a Beginner in Tennis

What to Wear as a Beginner in Tennis

(Advice from Someone Who’s Been on Court Since 1970)

I was born in 1961 and started playing tennis in 1970. I’ve played competitively since 1973, coached during my studies, and over the decades helped many friends and beginners take their first steps onto a tennis court. Because of that, I’ve seen one thing over and over again:

Beginners don’t fail because of talent. They fail because of wrong equipment choices and wrong expectations.

This article is not about looking like a professional tennis player. It’s about staying healthy, feeling comfortable, and giving yourself a fair chance to discover whether tennis is your sport.

First, the Most Important Principle: Functional, Not Perfect

As a beginner, you do not need perfect gear.
You need functional gear.

Many beginners think everything has to be “right” from day one: the outfit, the brand, the look. That’s a mistake. At the beginning, your only real task is to find out:

Do I enjoy tennis enough to keep playing?

Everything you wear should serve that goal—not distract from it, not injure you, and not empty your wallet.

The Two Things That Matter Most (And Cause the Most Problems)

1. The Tennis Racquet – Don’t Go Too Cheap

One of the most common beginner mistakes is buying a very cheap tennis racquet.

Why this matters:

  • As a beginner, you rarely hit the ball in the sweet spot.
  • Cheap racquets transmit much more vibration into your arm.
  • This significantly increases the risk of tennis elbow or sore joints.

I’ve experienced this myself. Even with my background, I once played with a racquet that didn’t suit me—and I paid for it with a sore elbow.

Beginner rule:
You don’t need an expensive racquet, but you do need a solid, arm-friendly one. A decent beginner racquet protects your arm while your technique is still developing.

2. Tennis Shoes – Absolutely Non-Negotiable

If there is one area where beginners should never compromise, it’s shoes.

Why proper tennis shoes matter:

  • Tennis involves a lot of lateral movement (side-to-side).
  • Running shoes lack the lateral stability needed for tennis.
  • Wrong shoes dramatically increase the risk of ankle and knee injuries.

Court-specific reality:

  • I mainly play on clay courts in summer and hard courts in winter.
  • Shoes must match the surface.
  • Wearing cross-country or running shoes on clay can even get you banned from the court, because they damage the surface.

Beginner rule:
Buy proper tennis shoes for the surface you play on. This is about safety, not style.

Clothing: Comfort Over Everything Else

What Tennis Clothing Actually Needs to Do

Tennis clothing must be:

  • Comfortable
  • Flexible
  • Robust
  • Able to keep its shape

That’s it.

I’ve worn clothing that looked fine at first, but after three washes it lost shape and looked awful. Cheap fabric can quickly become uncomfortable, distracting, and frustrating.

Climate Matters More Than Brands

Your wardrobe should adapt to:

  • Heat: light, breathable fabrics
  • Strong sun: wear a cap
  • Cold or wind: use layers instead of thick, stiff clothing

In colder or windy conditions, I often wear two layers rather than one heavy piece. This keeps movement free while maintaining warmth.

Unisex Advice (With One Honest Note)

From a functional point of view, tennis clothing is the same for everyone.

The only difference I consistently observe:

  • For many women, looking good matters more—and that’s completely fine.
  • As long as the clothing is comfortable and flexible, style can be a bonus.

But confidence in tennis does not come from outfits.
It comes from hitting one more ball into the court than last week.

Brands: Don’t Overthink It

Big brands, small brands—they are all acceptable.

What matters is:

  • You feel comfortable wearing it
  • You can move freely
  • The material is robust and flexible

If it restricts your movement, rubs, overheats you, or distracts you, it’s not suitable—no matter the logo.

A Final Word to Beginners

If you remember only one thing from this article, remember this:

Tennis is not about the look. It’s about movement, learning, and enjoyment.

Start with:

That’s enough.

Once you know you love the sport, you can refine your gear later. Tennis will be patient. Your body, however, will not forgive bad equipment choices.

Enjoy your start. Tennis is a lifelong sport—if you let it begin the right way. 🎾

Back to blog