1. Tennis bag
No matter what level you play, you need a tennis bag. While a regular duffle works for most sports, it won't protect your most important piece of equipment: your rackets! Tennis bags like this one from Babolat are perfect because they have compartments fitted for your rackets and pockets small enough for extra dampeners and shoe laces.

2. Rackets (2-3)
Rackets are where most tennis players splurge because your whole play depends on them. Rackets from Head are making their way into college-level and professional tennis with their sturdy build and their bold, statement colors.

3. Racket grips
Racket grips are a necessity for tennis players not only for the obvious (better grip) but also for moisture absorption. Wilson is a favorite among tennis players, and their new perforated grips enhance that moisture absorption.

4. Towels
Towels are often a forgotten and underappreciated piece of tennis gear. But, they shouldn't be! Having a good towel is important for drying your hands to keep your grip from slipping and your face to keep sweat from dripping into your eyes, and Adidas is a trusted brand to start with.

5. Racket String
Your racket works as hard as you do, so the strings will inevitably break. Make sure you're prepared with extra racket string.

7. Shorts or Skirts
Just like any other sport, your outfit will affect your play. Tennis shorts and skirts offer the coverage and flexibility you need as you maneuver the court.

8. Dampeners
Dampeners are essential to tennis players because they absorb vibrations from the strings when you hit a ball with your racket. They're also your chance to show your personality. Where you buy them doesn't matter as long as they're well-rated and a design you love.

9. Extra shoe laces
Believe it or not, most tennis players break their shoe laces all the time. So, make sure to stock up on extra laces from the shoe experts: RoadRunner. These laces are perfect for tennis players because they're high-performance, and you save time not having to tie them! If and when they do break, you can even reuse the lock for other laces!

10. Sweat-resistant shirts
Tennis player don't get to play in the shade, and your matches can get pretty intense. You will sweat a lot. Getting a sweat-resistant shirt helps keep you cool, prevents you from getting too stinky, and doesn't hold sweat stains.

12. Pain relievers
Never forget your pain relievers. I usually use ibuprofen, but whichever you use is based on personal preference. You never know if you're going to sprain an ankle or when your wrists will start getting sore.

11. Icy hot
When the ibuprofen isn't enough, graab your icy-hot. This roller is the best for a sports bag because it makes no mess, and you can apply it without getting the gel on your hands. Icy hot can be applied directly where you're hurting, and the relief is almost instantaneous.

13. Bandaids
Finally, every tennis player needs to complete their first-aid kit with bandaids. You need to be prepared for blisters, falling, and anything else that may require a bandaid. These bandies by Welly come in all different patterns, so you can pick one you love. And, the compact packaging will fit anywhere in your tennis bag.