Racquet bags have gotten bigger and bigger over the years. Players walking onto tennis and squash courts with big racquet bags have become a familiar sight—some even carry two! Club players have caught on, and oversized racquet bags, which can fit much more than a racquet and a can of balls, are the norm.
Ever wonder what goes into these big racquet bags?
A racquet bag often contains more than twenty different items. For competitive players, forgetting an essential item can potentially hamper their performance. What you carry in your bag is your choice. However, if you would like to ensure you have everything you need in your racquet bag, here’s a checklist of some of the more common things club players carry around.
Racquets
ATP players may carry eight to twelve racquets to account for ball changes, broken strings, and smashed racquets. The norm among the PSA players appears to be five. Most club players carry at least two racquets to ensure they have a spare in case of a broken string.
Balls
The bag contains a can of tennis or squash balls. Club players typically take turns bringing new balls to a game, ensuring the cost is spread among the players.
Shoes
Court shoes are not street shoes. Purpose-built tennis shoes and non-marking squash shoes ensure you get the level of support and balance needed on the court.
Socks
Whether you choose compression socks or regular sports socks is up to you. But a pair of socks is another item that goes into a racquet bag.
Squash goggles
Goggles are an essential safety component of club squash. Most clubs strongly encourage players to wear safety glasses on the court to avoid preventable injuries.
Replacement grip
Racquet grips age and lose their tackiness over time. A slippery racquet handle is not something you want to deal with in a competitive squash or tennis match.
Spare clothes
Whether you change at your club or change at home before heading to the club, a set of spare clothes that ensures you stay dry after the game is a necessary component of your racquet bag.
Wrist bands
Some days you feel you cannot have enough wristbands to keep your palms dry. Most players carry around a few in their racquet bags.
Headband/Bandana
Headbands keep sweat off your squash goggles and face and keep your hair in place.
Hand towel
Your club may provide towels. If they don’t, a hand towel in your bag will ensure that you get to wipe down between games.
Kinesiology tape
Kinesiology tape may not be for everyone. However, kinesiology tape, also known as sports tape, helps manage temporary muscular discomfort and often finds a place in athletes’ bags.
Braces
Seasoned players often pack arm and knee braces to support joints that have taken a beating over the years.
Water bottle
Keeping hydrated is important in squash and tennis. If you don’t have access to a water fountain, make sure you pack a bottle of water.
Vibration dampeners
If you are a tennis player who uses vibration dampeners on your tennis racquet, you may want to throw a spare one into your racquet bag. They tend to fly off when you least expect them to.
Granola bar
Granola bars, bananas, and other substitutes can come in handy when playing drawn-out matches. You may want to pack your favourite energy food into your racquet bag.
Lock
If you are a club player, a lock for your locker is a must-have to keep your valuables under lock and key.
Foam Rollers/Massagers
A few club players have started throwing foam rollers and massagers into their big racquet bags. High-density rollers and massagers help you self-administer restorative therapy for your muscles.
Waterproof bags
You don’t want to throw your wet clothes among your dry ones. If your bag does not have a section for wet clothes, waterproof bags can come in handy.
Bandages
Packing a few bandages is a good idea to deal with unexpected cuts and scrapes that you may encounter.
So, there you have it. What’s in your racquet bag?
