Yahoo Finance 8 tennis-inspired items to shop if you’re excited about the US Open
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The 2021 U.S. Open—the 141st edition of the tournament—is going strong through September 14 and if you're anything like us, you've been watching defending champions and rising tennis stars play for the past couple of weeks.
No matter if you've been casually watching the matches or are rooting for your favorite player every step of the way, it's safe to say there's a lot of excitement around this year's U.S. Open, especially with crowds being allowed to watch all of the action live.
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If all of these tennis matches have you feeling extra enthusiastic about the sport, now may be the time to indulge yourself in a little tennis fun whether that be with gear to start up a tennis match with friends or accessories to commemorate the moment. Here are 8 products to shop for if you're a tennis player or a big fan of the game.
1. A racket that's right for you
If you're just getting into playing tennis for the first time or want to upgrade your racket, you don't have to shell out a massive amount of money for a good one. A good rule of thumb when buying: The larger the head is, the easier it is to make solid contact with the ball and the more forgiving the racket will be. More skilled players will find benefits in rackets with smaller heads, but beginners will find an "oversized" head as a good place to start.
Newer players should also focus on choosing a lightweight racket, as it may be easier to hold for a long period of time. As for grip size, we recommend using a guide like this one—spoiler alert, all you'll need is a ruler and your hand to find the best size for you.
Get the Wilson X-Large Energy Racket at Amazon for $49.25
Get the Head Ti.S6 Tennis Racket at Dick's Sporting Goods for $89
2. A portable net so can you play anywhere
If all the tennis courts near you are too packed or you don't have a court accessible to you, a portable net to pop up in your driveway is a decent alternative. They're especially useful for playing a quick game, practicing drills or teaching little ones how to play right at home.
This mini portable tennis net by Aoneky is an awesome option for those who'd like to train outside of the court, as it's easy to set up and compact for storing. Choose between a 10-foot or 18-foot length net—the smaller length is ideal for kids, according to the brand.
Get the Aoneky Mini Portable Tennis Net at Amazon starting at $49.99
3. A tennis skirt from Venus Williams clothing line
Even if you can't play like a tennis champion, you can still dress like one. Venus Williams' clothing line EleVen features tennis essentials and off-court pieces that any athleisure-lover is sure to swoon over.
A must-have from the line is the flutter skirt with a pleated, flared-out bottom. This retro color block skirt features beautiful blue tones that'll look as good as it performs on the court.
Get the EleVen by Venus Williams Retro Colorblock Flutter Skirt at Saks Fifth Avenue for $84
4. A duffel bag for all your gear
Even the most casual tennis player will need a bag to stow away a couple of rackets, tennis balls and other gear.
The Nike Court Advantage Tennis Duffel is perfect for any tennis player who wants to stay organized out at the courts. The sleek black duffel can carry up to two rackets and features a large main compartment, a ventilated shoe compartment, and several other smaller pockets for organizational bliss.
For something a little more simple and affordable, a lightweight tennis sling bag like the tennis slight backpack from Alien Pros will do the job, too. It's perfect for fitting just the essentials—one racket, a water bottle, a couple of towels and tennis balls.
Get the Nike Court Advantage Tennis Duffel at Amazon for $96.48
Get the Alien Pros Lightweight Tennis Sling Backpack at Amazon for $19.99
5. A Funko Pop! Legends collectible of your favorite player
Although superstar players like Rafael Nadal and Venus Williams are missing this year's U.S. Open, if you just can't resist merch celebrating your favorite tennis star, a Funko Pop! is a fun piece to add to your desk or your collection of Funko Pop! Legends. The Funko Pop! brand makes bobblehead-esque collectibles of fan-favorite athletes, actors and movie and TV characters.
The brand's Tennis Legends line of collectibles feature tennis icons like Rafael Nadal, Venus Williams, Bjorn Borg and Maria Sharapova—mix and match with your favorites or collect them all!
Get the Rafael Nadal Funko Pop! Legends: Tennis Legends at Amazon for $9.99
Get the Venus Williams Funko Pop! Legends: Tennis Legends at Amazon for $5.99
6. A top-rated exercise dress to play in (or, just to look good in)
Who says you can't look good while exercising? Go from playing on the courts to drinks with friends in an ultra-versatile exercise dress, a style that's been growing in popularity ever since the athleisure style came onto the scene.
With more than 3,000 glowing reviews, the Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress constantly sells out, gets restocked, and sells out again. Reviewed's health and fitness editor Sara Hendricks swears by the Outdoor Voices dress, praising it for its comfortable, non-restricting build with a stylish look.
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, we found the internet-famous Everyday 2-in-1 Activity Dress from Halara to be basically just as good as the Outdoor Voices one. For less than half the price, you can get a similarly styled exercise dress that's great for any of your activities.
Get the Exercise Dress at Outdoor Voices for $100
Get the Everyday 2-in-1 Activity Dress at Halara for $39.95
6. A retro-inspired tennis art print
A retro or retro-inspired art piece makes a great addition to a room and goes with many styles. Not to mention, it makes for an interesting talking piece that can strike up a conversation. If you're a tennis fan, add a bit of personal flair with a tennis-themed art piece to show your appreciation for the sport. Emblems of the game like a tennis court or tennis balls can be quite aesthetically pleasing.
There are plenty of affordable yet high-quality art prints to choose from at Society6, which is home to art from across the globe printed on canvases, pillows, rugs, even shower curtains. This print of an aerial shot of a tennis player in action features a color-blocked design that's sure to make a statement in any room.
Get the From Above Tennis Player Art Print at Society6 starting at $16.19
7. A pair of tennis shoes to wear on the courts
Reviewed's contributing writer Sam Gardner says that the term 'tennis shoes' can be used as "a catch-all for anything that resembles a sneaker." Turns out, there are specific shoes you should choose for playing tennis—and no, they aren't your run-of-the-mill, stylish 'tennis shoes'.
Gardner says proper tennis shoes should be durable, flat-soled and designed to withstand frequent movements like quick starts and stops, pivoting and side-to-side shuffles. The Adidas men's GameCourt sneakers are a great option—they're loved by reviewers for their comfortable fit and sleek look. For women's sneakers, the NikeCourt Lite 2 sneakers are designed to support your feet with comfortable cushioning and are affordably priced for Nikes, might we add.
Get the Adidas Men's GameCourt Sneakers at Dick's Sporting Goods for $59.99
Get the NikeCourt Lite 2 Women's Sneakers at Nike for $59.99
8. A tennis charm bangle to show your spirit
If you'd rather show your love for the sport in a chic way, this shiny gold tennis charm bangle from Alex and Ani is a perfect addition to your current bracelet stack. Can we talk about how cute that pop of color is that is the tennis ball charm?
I've owned plenty of Alex and Ani bracelets over the years and love how you can show a little personal flair with the accessories such as your initials, university letters or symbols of your favorite hobby.
Get the Alex and Ani Team USA Tennis Charm at Nordstrom Rack for $17.97
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Tennis rackets, shoes, charm bracelets to shop during the US Open
