The Different Types of Tennis Bags
There are five different types of tennis bags. Some can only be used for tennis; others can also be used for other sports or even travel. Let's take a look.
This is the style of bag widely used on the Pro Tour as they come in configurations to hold anywhere between 9 and 15 racquets. They have multiple compartments, with the outermost ones being thermally insulated to keep racquets away from the elements.
Who should use this type of bag?
The only type of player this bag makes sense for are serious players who are playing tournaments and carry a lot of gear.
This is complete overkill for most players, and you will be paying for storage space you won’t really need.
Subsequently, people often pack to fill, rather than pack what they need, so they end up with all sorts of random equipment in there that never sees the light of day.
A large pro-style bag can also make sense for a full-time tennis coach who carries around a few racquets, training aids, food, etc. for a full day at the courts.
Alongside the racquet bag widely seen on the professional tour is the scaled-down version that holds either 3 or 6 racquets.
Who should use this bag?
This bag style is ideal for your typical club player who needs space for 2/3 racquets, shoes, clothes, and a few other bits of gear.
The downside of this type of bag is that they are not that easy to carry on foot. Unlike the larger racquet bags, they don’t usually have backpack-like straps so have to be carried using the carry handle or over the shoulder.
If you drive to the courts and walk 100m from the car park, that’s no problem. But biking or walking? This style of bag is not ideal.
The majority of mainstream tennis brands now have tennis bags in a traditional style backpack. Most are designed to hold racquets but leave the handles sticking out of the top.
Who should use this bag?
This is my preferred style of bag as I think it's the most utilitarian. If you bike or walk to the courts, a backpack is by far the best.
You'll no doubt have seen the likes of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic walking on the court with their main racquet bag strapped to their backs, but they’re often also carrying a duffel bag.
While pro players tend to use only use a smaller duffel bag for storing drinks and clothes, they are also available in larger sizes as standalone tennis bags.
Who should use this bag?
Multidisciplinary sportsmen and women who want a bag they can use for other sports are best suited to a tennis duffel bag.
Some players also prefer one big main divided compartment where they can see everything, so a duffel-style tennis bag works well for that type of person.
The final type of bag is the Tote. This style is for the female players out there, and they tend to be more fashion-driven than anything else, but most of the big tennis brands carry at least one in their lineup.
Who should use this bag?
Girls who like tote bags and don’t want to be dragging around a full-size racquet bag.
