What Do I Need to Start Tennis (2026): 5 Things, About $87

Start with the Tennis Racket Set for Adults, 27 Inch Pre-Strung Rackets (2 Pack) with Tennis Balls, Carry Bag, Grip Tape,Perfect for Beginners,Student Training (F29 Blue + White) if you want to try tennis this weekend. The checked $36.99 listing includes two 27-inch pre-strung adult rackets, tennis balls, a carry bag, and grip tape. Add LEFUS Women's Pickleball Shoes AMZ-P601, Non-Slip Breathable Court Shoes only if you need court shoes. Together, those two purchases came to $86.98, or about $87. That is enough for a first hit with a friend without buying a premium racket, a ball machine, or a closet full of tennis clothes.

The answer to "what do I need to start tennis" is mostly a racket and a safe place to hit. The set handles more than the first session needs. Shoes deserve a little more care because tennis has repeated side-to-side movement. The linked example is a women's pickleball court shoe, not a tennis-specific model. It is a budget court-shoe example, so check the size and fit before ordering. If you already own comfortable court shoes, leave it out of the first order.

The 5 things you need to start tennis

1. A pre-strung racket: Tennis Racket Set for Adults, 27 Inch Pre-Strung Rackets (2 Pack) with Tennis Balls, Carry Bag, Grip Tape,Perfect for Beginners,Student Training (F29 Blue + White) The set has two 27-inch adult rackets. Start with the one that feels easier to control, and keep the second for a friend or as a spare. A pre-strung racket is the right level of setup for a beginner. You do not need to choose string tension before you have hit a ball.
2. Tennis balls: Tennis Racket Set for Adults, 27 Inch Pre-Strung Rackets (2 Pack) with Tennis Balls, Carry Bag, Grip Tape,Perfect for Beginners,Student Training (F29 Blue + White) The listing includes tennis balls, so you can hit as soon as you find a court. Use them for the first few sessions, then replace them when they stop bouncing normally. You do not need a bucket of balls until you are practicing feeds or serving regularly.
3. A carry bag: Tennis Racket Set for Adults, 27 Inch Pre-Strung Rackets (2 Pack) with Tennis Balls, Carry Bag, Grip Tape,Perfect for Beginners,Student Training (F29 Blue + White) The set includes a bag for keeping the rackets and the small accessories together. That sounds minor until loose balls and grip tape start migrating around the car. Use the bag you have before buying a larger racket backpack.
4. Grip tape: Tennis Racket Set for Adults, 27 Inch Pre-Strung Rackets (2 Pack) with Tennis Balls, Carry Bag, Grip Tape,Perfect for Beginners,Student Training (F29 Blue + White) The set includes grip tape for the handles. Replace it when the handle feels slick or the wrap starts moving under your hand. When the included tape is gone, GAMMA Sports Supreme Overgrip, 3 Count Pack is a reasonable replacement three-pack for a racquet handle. It is a later purchase, not part of the $87 first-day total.
5. Court shoes: LEFUS Women's Pickleball Shoes AMZ-P601, Non-Slip Breathable Court Shoes The linked pair is a non-slip court shoe made for lateral movement, priced at $49.99 when checked. The listing is for women, and fit matters more than the logo, so treat it as one budget example rather than a universal recommendation. If you play on a hard court every week, choose a tennis-specific pair that fits your foot and the court surface.

How much does it cost to start tennis?

The math is $36.99 for the racket set + $49.99 for court shoes = $86.98, or about $87. The balls, carry bag, and first grip tape are included in the set, so they add $0 to the starting total. Court fees, lessons, and later replacement balls are separate. If you already have court shoes, start with the set for about $37 and spend the rest on one beginner lesson or court time.

The cheap path is to borrow a racket from a friend, use a public court, and hit for thirty minutes before buying anything. Some parks and clubs have loaners. Ask whether the surface requires non-marking soles and whether you need to reserve a court. If you like the first session, buy the set. Your first action is simple: find a court, invite one person who will keep the pace easy, and aim for ten minutes of rallies instead of trying to serve hard on the first day.

What to skip at the beginning

• A $200-plus racket. You will learn more from a comfortable pre-strung racket and one lesson than from a price tag.
• A second bag. The included carry bag is enough until you regularly bring extra clothes, food, and several cans of balls.
• A ball machine. Borrow one or take a lesson when you can keep a rally going and know what practice problem you want it to solve.
• A full set of replacement grip, vibration dampeners, wristbands, and matching clothes. Replace the included tape only when it wears out.
• Running shoes for regular hard-court play. They may be fine for a gentle first hit if the court allows them, but they are not a good answer to repeated lateral movement.

If tennis is not your pace, the pickleball starter pack uses a smaller court and softer learning curve. For another low-cost outdoor sport, the disc golf starter pack gets you onto a course with three purchases.