How to Prepare for a Tennis Match Like a Pro

You’re the fittest you’ve ever been; your strokes are polished and ready for competition, and even your mind is well-equipped for the on-court battle to come. So what's left for you to prepare for?

Honestly, a lot.

Like any match or practice, preparing to play starts with your gear.

Gearing Up: The First Step to a Successful Match

The first thing you should prepare before your match is your gear… because the last thing you should be thinking about while playing a match is your gear.

So, with that in mind, here are 10 things to keep in mind when preparing your gear for a tennis match:

Tap each item to check it off as you pack.

• 01 String your racquets! If you only have one racquet, consider getting it restrung before the big day. Tennis Express has one of the biggest collections of tennis strings on the planet!
• 02 Stock up on grips Playing with a soaked, slippery grip makes playing your best game a genuine challenge. Having a few extra overgrips in your bag goes a long way.
• 03 Check your shoes for holes Have you ever played a match with holes in your shoes? I have, and it’s not pretty. Moving your feet and dashing to every ball is an essential part of any tennis match. Having shoes that are fresh and ready for play is one of the best ways to prepare for a match. I suggest getting a pair of shoes with a 6-month guarantee.
• 04 Hydration station Tennis players drink a lot of water. Have you ever seen Nadal sweat!? A tennis water bottle or jug is the easiest, most convenient way of staying hydrated both before and during a match.
• 05 Moisture-wicking apparel Speaking of sweat, wearing clothes that wick away the sweat from your skin helps you stay cool and dry. It’s easier to play when you’re not thinking about how sweaty you are.
• 06 Extra socks Trust me, this is a game changer. One pair of socks is good for one match only. If you make it to the second round and have to play the same day, having a fresh pair of socks makes your feet feel fresh and dry, which in turn will help your footwork keep working.
• 07 Pack a tennis towel Tennis towels are essential. They help your hands, face, and other parts of your body stay dry during those crucial games where even a single drop of sweat in your eye can disrupt your rhythm.
• 08 Mid-game nutrition Picture this: It’s the third set, you’re tied 4-4, but you’re starting to feel the fatigue. Having electrolytes or some kind of energy nutrition might just see you over the finish line as the winner.
• 09 Plan for the sun Most tennis matches take place outside, and when your match is scheduled for 12 pm, you can bet the sun will be shining directly overhead. Not only will this make you hotter, but it will genuinely impair your vision. A hat or visor is the simplest solution to this common occurrence.
• 10 Pack it all in your tennis bag! Now that you have all you need for your match, where are you going to put it all? A tennis bag does wonders for storing all your things: racquets, shoes, string, grips, water, towel, nutrition, phone, and more. Many also come with climate-control pockets to keep your valuables from heat damage.

Other Ways to Prepare for Your Match

While gear is essential to your match preparation, there are other ways to prepare as well. For example, preparing your body for the tough physical demands of tennis is an optimal practice you should implement before every match. Dynamic stretches and warming up your muscles allow you to perform at top capacity at the start of the match. Using elastic bands to warm up your shoulder is also an ideal way of warming up your muscles and tendons for serves.