13 Nike gift ideas for tennis players
Buying guide
Ace the gift-buying process for your tennis-loving friend or family member with these top Nike tennis gifts.
From tennis shoes designed for quick pivoting to a racket that helps perfect a player's backhand, tennis gear is a serious part of any tennis fanatic's game.
Picking out gifts for tennis lovers can feel like a challenge if you're not well-versed in the game. How do you ensure your purchase is a piece of tennis equipment they'll actually use—and love?
The simple solution: pick gear with the stamp of approval from Nike tennis pros like Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka. Here are the best gifts for tennis players from Nike.
Shop Nike Tennis
13 gift ideas for tennis players
Tennis bag
Nike tennis duffel bags are designed to haul every extra tennis garment, accessory or ball in an orderly fashion. The Nike Brasilia 9.5 Training Duffel Bag, for example, measures 63.5 centimetres (approx.) by 30.5 centimetres (approx.) by 30.5 centimetres (approx.) and contains multiple storage compartments (including a separate one for dirty shoes and/or clothes) to keep things organised.
Nike Headband
For those particularly hot, humid matches, sweat can be a major interference if it gets in an athlete's eyes. Nike headbands help keep sweat and hair flyaways from impeding players' vision, all while keeping them dry and comfortable throughout the match.
Hair bands
For long-locked tennis players, the intensity of a match requires a secure elastic capable of keeping hair out of their faces. From scrunchies to bows to no-frills ties, Nike hair bands are a great gift for tennis players—and they're budget-friendly.
Tennis hat
Like headbands and hair bands, hats help keep sweat and hair from hindering an athlete's vision on the court and they also provide sun protection for outdoor matches. Nike tennis hats, like the Nike Dri-FIT ADV Club, are made for the court, with features that help increase airflow for breathability, as well as a soft, sweat-wicking fabric that provides comfort and keeps skin cool and dry.
Tennis jacket
On cold mornings before muscles are primed to play, tennis jackets are a warm-up necessity for players. (And can come in handy post-match, too!) Nike tennis jackets feature soft, stretchy fabrics to move seamlessly with a player's swing, as well as easy on-and-off design elements, allowing athletes to quickly remove and put back on the garment throughout the warm-up and match. The NikeCourt Women's Full-Zip Tennis Jacket has all of these features and is also made with Dri-FIT technology to help players stay dry and comfortable as they heat up.
Tennis Shoes
Outfit the tennis pro in your life with high-performance tennis shoes that help absorb impact and provide comfort, traction and stability on the court. Many Nike tennis shoe styles are designed with innovative technologies, like an Air Zoom unit, which provides responsive cushioning with every step.
(Related: The best Nike shoes to play tennis on a hard court)
Shop Nike tennis shoes
Tennis socks
A pair of socks may not seem like the most exciting item on a tennis fan's wish list, but it's a gift that's hard to get wrong. Nike tennis socks contain all the features tennis players need in a sock: plush, sweat-wicking fabric and a supportive, sturdy design.
The NikeCourt Multiplier Max socks are an excellent sweat-wicking, supportive pair for tennis players, while the Nike Unicorn crew socks are a great selection for multi-sport endeavours.
Tennis skirt or dress
High-performance tennis gear is first and foremost about function but showcasing some style doesn't hurt. Nike tennis skirts and dresses feature an airy, roomy design to float around the court, and they are made from stretchy, moisture-wicking fabrics and built-in shorts to keep players comfortable during their toughest matches.
Looking for an option for someone with lots of cute tennis gear? The Nike Advantage Women's Dri-FIT Tennis Skirt is a great pick. It has a unique accordion-like pleated hem that runs on a bias. Plus, the inner shorts have drop-in pockets on both sides, making for quick storage whatever the player's dominant hand is.
Tennis Shorts
Nike tennis shorts provide athletes comfort, durability and versatility throughout each match. While some styles offer perforations for breathability and sweat-wicking technology to keep players cool, others, like the NikeCourt Heritage Women's Mid-Rise Tennis Shorts, are made from French terry, which is great for court days that are on the cooler side. Most of Nike's tennis shorts have pockets or inner shorts that provide storage for extra tennis balls, so you can't go wrong whichever style you go with.
Shop Nike Tennis Shorts
Tennis tank top or sleeveless top
On the court, a breathable, lightweight, sleeveless T-shirt or tank top is a must-have. The NikeCourt Advantage Women's Dri-FIT Tennis Tank Top, for example, uses special Dri-FIT technology to draw moisture off the body and evaporate more quickly. It also has widened armholes that allow players to move through their full range of motion as they swing. The tennis player in your life will thank you when it comes time to play a match in the heat.
Tennis T-shirt
Whether they want a more tailored polo or a sweat-wicking, loose-fitting top to protect their shoulders from the sun, Nike tennis short-sleeve T-shirts are a no-fail gift for tennis players. The NikeCourt Dri-FIT Rafa T-Shirt (a great pick for Rafael Nadal fans), for example, is made from a soft jersey fabric, making it a wardrobe staple on and off the court.
Shop Nike Tennis T-Shirts
Tennis sweatshirt
A sweatshirt is never a bad gift idea. Sweatshirts can be worn for warm-ups and cool-downs on the court and offer warmth and comfort on rest days. If you're looking for a versatile and on-trend option, The NikeCourt Heritage Over-Oversized Crew is a great pick. The French terry sweatshirt has a dramatic, oversized fit across the chest, dropped armholes and a cropped hem, which makes it feel cosy without overwhelming the frame. Nike offers many other tennis hoodies and sweatshirts, too, so there is sure to be a style and design to complement any personal preferences.
Tennis mid layers
People often talk about mid layers when dressing for activities like skiing and running, but they're an essential part of tennis players' wardrobes, too. Most of Nike's options are lightweight, sweat-wicking and stretchy, adding a layer of warmth and comfort whatever the weather. The NikeCourt Advantage Women's Dri-FIT 1/4-Zip Tennis Mid Layer pairs perfectly with all the other pieces in the NikeCourt Collection, so players can have a polished and complete look as they work on their game.
Words by Julia Sullivan, ACE-certified CPT, and Dana Leigh Smith