As the saying goes, you’re never too old to learn something new. Whether you’ve been inspired by Wimbledon, the Olympics or Zendaya’s sporty chic outfits in tennis-themed blockbuster Challengers, now’s the perfect time to pick up a racket and hone your skills.
To help you get started with your new hobby, we asked leading British tennis player and Crew Clothing ambassador Jodie Burrage to share her top tips for beginners. We’ve also rounded up our favourite bits of kit – from sports bras to tennis shoes – which deliver on style and substance. Get set to ace your tennis game and serve up a storm this summer…
Top tennis tips for beginners
Here, Jodie reveals her best advice for fuelling, training and recovering like a pro.
Follow a well-rounded exercise regime
Beyond practising your skills on the court, it’s important to do different types of training during the week, too. “You need a good mix of cardio, strength training in the gym and prehab and rehab to keep your body healthy to perform at your best,” says Jodie.
Perfect your skills
It’s crucial to master the basics as a beginner. “You want to make sure your technique is as good as it can be so you can develop into a better tennis player,” she adds.
“The serve is very important and probably the hardest technique to master. I’d recommend focusing on this as a beginner.”
Warming up is key
Don’t be tempted to skip your warm-up, says Jodie – especially if you’ve struggled with injuries in the past. “If your body isn’t warm before playing, you put yourself at risk of injury, so it’s worth getting into a good routine to prevent any issues,” she advises.
She herself spends at least 45 minutes getting her body prepared before a match, with a few minutes on the bike, followed by stretching, mobility work and a proper warm-up.
Don’t neglect cooldowns
Cooling down after a match or training session is just as important as your warm-up. “Get into the habit of stretching after you finish and then icing any area that feels sore to avoid stiffness,” says Jodie. She also suggests spending some time cooling down on an exercise bike.
Nail your nutrition
As with running, you need to make sure you have enough fuel in the tank to power your sessions and ensure you don’t get fatigued too quickly. “It’s very important to consume enough carbohydrates before you play, then focus on protein and carbs afterwards to replace what you’ve burned,” confirms Jodie.
If you have a longer session planned or feel yourself flagging mid-activity, she suggests snacking on bananas or energy gels so you can keep going without feeling lethargic.
Now you have the basics down, we’ve asked our editors to share their favourite pieces of kit so you can serve on and off the court.
Tennis dresses
Original Penguin is known for its high-performance golf wear, but the brand ventured into the world of tennis a couple of years ago, and its range is worth splashing out on.
This classic polo-style dress look chic and will stop you getting hot and sticky mid-set thanks to mesh sleeves and moisture-wicking technology. The stretchy fabric allows for total freedom of movement and the internal shorts provide good coverage. It also comes in a dark blue, if Wimbledon white isn’t your cup of tea.
If you’re a fan of Nike activewear, you’ll love the brand’s Advantage Tennis Dress. It features mesh panelling, a back cutout and Nike’s signature Dri-Fit fabric to increase airflow and stop you drowning in sweat. The fabric also feels nice and light as you move.
The dress is super stretchy, so it’s comfy to wear for long periods, and you can slip it off easily post-match. It includes side pockets for stashing your tennis balls. The slim-fitting design also looks très chic and comes in a range of sizes from 4 to 22. We only wish it came in more colours…
After a dress that will take you from the court to coffee? This cargo option from Fabletics should be on your radar. Made from a breathable combination of nylon and Spandex and featuring numerous pockets and built-in shorts, it ticks the box in terms of performance but, crucially, it looks great, too.
The fabric is nice and stretchy, so it doesn’t feel tight or restrictive, and there’s a low level of compression, which creates a flattering silhouette. Whether you opt for black, neon yellow or blue, this dress should give you all the confidence on court.
Tennis skirts and skorts
Another Original Penguin option, this skort is a worthy investment. Not only does the classic pleated design look chic, but it’s also made from the brand’s moisture-wicking performance fabric, promising a cool, dry tennis session. It is rather short, but panic not, there are built-in shorts to stop you from flashing your underwear to anyone watching courtside. The thick waistband is equal parts flattering and comfortable.
Tennis can be a sweaty business but, thankfully, this simple yet effective skort from the experts at elite sportswear brand Castore (which supplies kit to Andy Murray) will keep you cool and comfortable as you serve aces. Thanks to the lightweight, fast-drying fabric and breathable Airex lining, you’ll barely notice you have it on, and you don’t need to worry about unsightly sweat patches either. The hidden biker shorts underneath have a handy pocket for stashing tennis balls.
Just starting out and looking for a budget-friendly tennis skort? This high-waisted Goodmove number will set you back just £25. Still, it has everything you need to perform at your best, including moisture-wicking material for ultimate ventilation, built-in shorts, an all-important pocket and a side split for total freedom of movement.
The high waistband feels comfy and holds everything in place, and the length isn’t too short, unlike many designs on the market. It’s comfy enough to wear when running errands, too.
Tennis tops
This lightweight, breezy tank top from Original Penguin is just the ticket for tennis practice, running and gym workouts. The fast-drying knit fabric is designed to help you beat the heat, and the narrow shoulders allow you to move your arms and shoulders freely during play. The fit isn’t too snug, and the longer length provides more coverage, although it looks great when tucked into a skirt or shorts, too.
Prefer to keep things classic with a polo shirt? Our pals at Lululemon have hit the nail on the head with this simple short-sleeved style, which has been designed specifically for tennis and golf. The high-tech fabric promises to keep you cool and comfortable, plus it boasts antimicrobial properties to prevent unpleasant odours and keep things fresh.
Sports aside, our editors love pairing it with some high-waisted trousers and ballet pumps for a casual everyday look.
Coming in at £12.99, this fuss-free Artengo T-shirt is a sweet starter choice if you’re just getting into tennis.
Despite the budget price tag, the moisture-wicking fabric can handle sweaty sessions and won’t leave you feeling hot and sticky. The brushed material is softer than soft and, best of all, it’s quick to dry and doesn’t need ironing. There are a few different colours to choose from, including pink, green and purple.
Tennis shoes
These Asics trainers are a reliable pick for all kinds of foot types and ability levels. The sturdy shoes offer top-notch stability and support, yet they’re still light and springy, so you can move around the court quickly. Plush gel inserts mean they’re nice and comfy, and there’s mesh at the front to prevent sticky, sweat-soaked feet.
Our editors love Nike’s running trainers, so it’s no surprise they were impressed with the brand’s tennis offering, too. These lightweight hard-court shoes have a low-to-the-ground design and offer great flexibility, allowing you to move around the court more quickly. They also have a cushioned midsole for support and comfort. They do run small, so size up if you’re unsure.
If you want to invest in a tennis-specific shoe but don’t want to spend over the odds, consider Artengo’s affordable multi-court offering. It’s ultra lightweight, has a good level of cushioning and feels supportive when moving from side to side, thanks to the PU upper. It’s not the most breathable design, but for under £20, it’s hard to complain. The all-white design looks pretty stylish, too.
Sports bras for tennis
Comfortable, supportive and moisture wicking, this high-impact New Balance bra is perfect for tennis practice. The adjustable racerback design serves up the extra support needed as you run towards the net, it has a hook-eye closure at the back for easy on-off and the breathable cups will stop things getting sweaty.
It doesn’t feel too tight or restrictive, and we love the foam padded straps for comfort. The soft jersey knit fabric won’t cause rubbing or chafing, either.
This wired full-cup bra from Marks & Spencer’s Goodmove collection punches well above its price tag. According to the brand, it reduces bounce by 25%, making it perfect for high-impact workouts like tennis.
Other impressive features include thicker straps for sufficient support when running and jumping, a clasp at the back to get it on and off easily and unique Cool Comfort technology to avoid that unpleasant sweat-soaked feeling after an intense session.
Though designed for running, this high-support Sweaty Betty style will also do the job nicely for the tennis court.
It has a fixed racerback to keep everything in place and absorb impact, along with adjustable elastic straps to help you find your perfect fit. The material is nice and stretchy, there are breathable mesh back panels to keep you comfortable and there are a variety of colourways to choose from. Just note, this bra isn’t padded.
Tennis bag essentials
If it’s sunny, you’ll want a visor to keep the sun out of your eyes. Sure, you could wear sunglasses, but there’s a high chance these will come flying off as you dash around the court.
A non-negotiable bit of kit for those on the sweatier side. You can use a wristband to mop up the sweat on your forehead and prevent it from dripping down your arms and affecting your grip.
You want to keep your energy stores up as you make your way around the court. These Biscoff flavoured Trek bars will keep you fuelled with a hit of carbs and protein. They taste delicious, too.
Soothe your achy muscles and joints post-match with this organic balm from WholyMe. It’s designed to provide instant and lasting comfort and help you recover quicker.
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
