All the Tennis Gear You Need to Hit the Court, According to the Pros

It’s only right that sporty-girl summer comes to a close with one of the biggest tennis events of the year: the 2026 US Open.

From the end of August through mid-September, the world’s greatest tennis players will convene in Queens, New York, to compete in the Grand Slam tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Whether you admire the strength behind Serena Williams’ explosive serve or can’t wait to see what Naomi Osaka wears the next time she steps on that blue acrylic court, there’s something for even the least sporty among us. In fact, you might just find yourself itching to pick up a racket—and a cute tennis skirt—for yourself.

“Tennis is an amazing sport for beginners because it’s a great form of cardio–you’re getting a really good workout—but it’s also a lot of fun,” 18-year-old tennis star Iva Jovic tells Glamour ahead of her third US Open appearance. “Whatever level you play at, it doesn’t really matter. It’s about getting out there, getting some exercise, enjoying the sport, and having fun.”

“There’s a fashion element to tennis too,” adds Jovic, who was recently named the newest face of Gorjana jewelry’s Sports Club, which highlights an elite group of athletes making an impact on the sports world. “You can dress up, wear cute tennis outfits, add some jewelry, and have fun with your style.”

Want to start serving in every sense of the word? Here’s all the tennis gear you need to start your tennis era, according to Jovic and other experts.

How do I start playing tennis as an adult?

Before we even talk gear, you should probably figure out where and how you want to play. David Boyd, a US Professional Tennis Association–certified tennis coach based in Los Angeles, suggests keeping the vibe light and fun when you’re just starting out, whether you opt for private lessons or group classes. “Beginner groups are a good way to learn the fundamentals and meet people to practice with,” Boyd tells Glamour. “Once you’ve learned the basics, finding a liveball clinic will allow you to play in a fun, group atmosphere.”

Okay, now let’s talk gear.

First things first: Find the right racket.

You can’t play tennis without a racket and tennis balls. Both Jovic and Boyd say a comfortable grip is the key to choosing your racket. “For a beginner, I would recommend a racket that feels stable in your hand, is easy to grip and isn’t too heavy,” says Jovic, who plays with a Yonex V-Core racket. “That’s the main thing, because you want it to be easy to maneuver and swing, especially when you’re starting out. You want to be able to feel the ball, so choosing a slightly lighter racket can be helpful.”

While there are plenty of options available online, Boyd says local tennis shops are the best place find the right fit for you.

Next up: Tennis shoes

You may already have a pair of running sneakers in your closet, but those aren’t going to cut it for a sport with so much side-to-side (lateral) movement. “For tennis, you’re definitely going to want a tennis-specific shoe,” Jovic says, shouting out her favored Adidas Avacourt tennis shoes. “I would say the most important thing is that it’s comfortable and isn’t poking or rubbing anywhere, but it also needs to feel quite snug.”

Jovic continues, “Tennis involves a lot of quick changes of direction and movement, so you want your foot to feel stable and secure in the shoe. Having that snug fit gives you better control of your movement and helps you feel more confident on the court.”

The best part: Choosing your outfit

As with many sporty women, nothing motivates me to get to the gym or onto the tennis court in the morning quite like a cute workout set. Amid the endless sea of fashion-forward tennis attire, there are two key details beginners should keep in mind. Take it from this retired high school varsity tennis player that you’ll need a supportive workout top along with bottoms that have pockets to hold an extra ball or two during your serve.

Don’t forget to accessorize.

You’ll definitely want to find a tennis bag that can fit your racket and all your other miscellaneous athletic essentials. “A hat, a good pair of sunglasses, and sunscreen are all great and will help make the experience more enjoyable especially when it’s hot outside,” says Boyd.

The final touch: jewelry! Pros like Williams and Aryna Sabalenka deck themselves out in jewels for the most important games of their professional careers, which means you should be good to wear your everyday jewelry stack while you play.

“I love wearing jewelry while I’m playing,” Jovic says, praising Gorjana’s wide range of “versatile and adaptable” pieces that fit all aspects of her life. “It’s really fun, I think it looks beautiful on camera, and it makes me feel very feminine when I play.”

While Jovic notes gold-plated jewelry can withstand a light workout, she prefers solid gold for game day. “I tend to stick with a solid gold on the court because it won’t tarnish, even with sweat,” she says.

Before she competes in the singles main draw of the US Open, you can watch Iva Jovic play in the Stars of the Open exhibition match against Alex Eala on Thursday, August 27, at 6 p.m. ET. The 2026 US Open runs from August 24 through September 13, and you can find the full broadcast schedule here.

And last but not least, don’t forget sunscreen.

You didn’t think we’d slip sunscreen in as an afterthought, did you? Absolutely not—especially when we’re talking about an outdoor sport that can keep you in direct sunlight for hours on end. Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Marnie skin care, suggests using at least SPF 50 and reapplying every 40 to 60 minutes when sweating.

“A player should use at least enough sunscreen to fill a shot glass for the body and use the two-finger rule for the face and neck,” she says. As the name suggests, the two-finger rule involves squeezing sunscreen along the length of your index and middle fingers to make sure you’ve used enough product. Dr. Nussbaum also recommends looking for a sports formula or mineral sunscreen “to avoid eye irritation from sweating.”

Board-certified dermatologist Elizabeth Hale, MD, senior VP of The Skin Cancer Foundation and chief medical advisor to the sunblock brand Vacation, recommends starting off with a sunscreen lotion as your base and reapplying with a sunscreen stick or face mist like the Vacation Super Spritz Sunscreen Mist (SPF 50). “When you are in the middle of a long match or practice, having a format that makes reapplication easy can make a real difference in how consistently you use it,” she says.