Tennis is refreshingly cheap to start compared with most sports — there’s no lift pass, no green fee, and public courts are often free. You genuinely only need three things to begin: a racket, shoes, and balls. But two of those three matter a lot for your enjoyment and safety, and a few popular purchases are wasted money early on. Here’s exactly what to buy, what to skip, and roughly what it costs.
The one-line version: Buy a forgiving beginner racket, proper court-specific tennis shoes, and a few cans of balls. That’s it to start. Spend most care on the shoes (they prevent injury) and the racket. Skip expensive player’s frames, gadgets, and ball machines until you know you’re committed.
The three essentials
- A forgiving racket. Light, large head, easy power — not a heavy player’s frame. A pre-strung beginner racket ($90–$130) is perfect. See best beginner tennis rackets.
- Court-specific tennis shoes. The most important purchase for safety. Running shoes roll ankles and wear out fast — tennis shoes give lateral support. See best tennis shoes.
- Tennis balls. A few cans of pressurised balls for play; cheap and essential. See best tennis balls.
Worth buying soon
- Wicking apparel. Any moisture-wicking synthetic — never cotton. Cheap and a big comfort upgrade: tennis apparel.
- A hat or visor. Sun protection and eye shade for a few dollars: hats & visors.
- Overgrips. The cheapest way to keep your racket feeling fresh and secure: overgrips.
- A simple bag. A 1–3 racket backpack to carry your kit: tennis bags.
Why shoes deserve the most care
Of the three essentials, shoes are where it pays to be careful. Tennis is built on explosive side-to-side movement, and running shoes — designed only for forward motion — provide no lateral support, which rolls ankles and wears through in weeks. Court-specific tennis shoes are an injury-prevention purchase, not a luxury. If your budget is tight, don’t cut corners here.
What you don’t need yet
- An expensive player’s racket. Heavy control frames punish beginners — buy light and forgiving, upgrade later. See control vs power.
- A ball machine. Wonderful eventually, wasteful at the start. Hit with a partner, coach, or wall first.
- Multiple rackets or premium strings. One racket with sensible strings is plenty. Save polyester and string experiments for when your strokes mature.
- Gadgets and training aids. Lessons beat gadgets by a mile early on.
A realistic starter budget
| Item | Essential? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner racket (pre-strung) | Yes | $90–$130 |
| Court tennis shoes | Yes | $80–$140 |
| Tennis balls (a few cans) | Yes | $15–$25 |
| Wicking apparel | Soon | $30–$80 |
| Hat/visor + overgrips | Soon | $20–$40 |
| Backpack bag | Optional | $45–$70 |
| Lessons (recommended) | Recommended | $30–$80/session |
The honest advice
You can start playing tennis properly for around $200 — a beginner racket, court shoes, and balls. Put your care into the shoes (safety) and a forgiving racket, add wicking clothes and a hat, and take a lesson or two. Skip the player’s frames, ball machines, and gadgets until you know you love the game. As you improve, upgrade your racket and dial in your strings.
Still deciding whether tennis is your sport? Our golf vs tennis and what sport should I take up guides can help before you spend a penny.