Gift Ideas for Women Who Play Tennis
The best gifts for a woman who plays tennis are the ones she uses every time she steps on court: a fresh set of strings, a supply of overgrips and balls, a skirt or dress she feels great in, a light layer for chilly mornings and a bag that carries it all. You don't need to know her racquet model or her rating to get it right. Most of the ideas below work for anyone from a weekly social player to a woman who plays league matches three times a week.
What does a tennis player actually want as a gift?
She wants things that make the next match more comfortable or more fun. Tennis players go through consumables quickly, wear their court clothes hard and appreciate small upgrades they rarely buy for themselves.
Before you choose, think about three things:
- How often she plays. A woman on court several times a week burns through strings, grips and balls far faster than a once-a-month player.
- Where she plays. Outdoor players need sun and weather gear. Indoor players care more about breathable fabrics and a good bag.
- Her style. Bold prints or classic whites? Look at what she wears to matches.
A restring or stringing gift card
A fresh restring is one of the most useful tennis gifts you can give, and most players put it off longer than they should. New strings feel livelier and more comfortable than strings that have lost tension.
Wilson's guide to restringing mentions the old rule of thumb, restringing as many times a year as you play in one week, and then says that rule is not frequent enough for many players. Wilson also lists signs that strings are overdue, such as notching where the strings cross and fraying on multifilament or natural gut strings.
Because stringing is personal (string type and tension matter), the easiest gift is a gift card from the pro shop or stringer she already uses. If you aren't sure where that is, ask her doubles partner.
Overgrips, balls and the consumables she always runs out of
Consumables make a low-risk gift because she'll use every one of them. Overgrips and balls top the list.
An overgrip is a thin wrap that goes over the racquet's original grip to add tack and absorb sweat. HEAD's overgrip guide says to change it when it looks tired and worn and has lost its absorbency, and how often depends on how much she plays. It also points out that replacing an overgrip is cheaper than replacing the grip underneath. A multi-pack in a color she likes is an easy win.
Tennis balls are the other staple. According to Mental Floss, standard balls are pressurized to around 27 psi and sold in sealed cans because they lose pressure once exposed to air. That's why a regular player always needs fresh cans. A case of the ball brand she already plays with is a practical gift that won't go to waste.
Tennis skirts, skorts and dresses she'll actually wear
A new skirt or dress is the gift most players love to unwrap, as long as the fit and length suit her. Look for built-in shorts, a stretchy fabric and a length she already wears comfortably.
Most tennis skirts are really skorts, with shorts underneath that often hold a ball. Performance fabrics usually blend polyester with spandex for stretch. For example, the Lucky In Love Long Pleated Tennis Skirt in Chroma (last listed price $78.00) was listed as 88% polyester and 12% Lycra, with a 13.75-inch length in a medium.
If she likes a little more coverage, look at the longer options in our tennis skirts, or browse tennis dresses for a one-piece outfit. Check our size charts and fit guide before you choose, and when in doubt, peek at the tag on something she already wears.
A warm-up jacket or long-sleeve layer
A light layer is a smart gift for the cold months, because winter and early-morning tennis start chilly and warm up fast. She needs something she can wear for the warm-up and peel off after the first few games.
Look for a fitted jacket that won't flap during a serve, plus stretch so it doesn't restrict her swing. The Lādē Tennis Keller Tennis Jacket in Lucid (last listed price $110.00) was described as lightweight, with thumb holes to keep the sleeves in place. A long-sleeve crew such as the Lucky In Love Long Sleeve Tennis Crew (last listed price $76.00) is a lighter option. You'll find more in our tennis jackets section.
A court bag or tote
A good bag is a gift she'll use every single match. It should hold at least one racquet, a can of balls, water, a towel and her phone and keys in separate pockets.
Backpacks suit players who walk or cycle to the courts; totes double as a gym or weekend bag. The Glove It Augusta Tennis / Sport Golf Tote (last listed price $89.95) was listed at 17 x 13.5 x 6 inches, made of nylon, with room for two racquets and six outside pockets.
Sun protection for outdoor players
Outdoor players spend hours in direct sun, so a visor, a UPF top or a good sport sunscreen makes a caring gift.
If you pick clothing, look at the UPF rating. The Skin Cancer Foundation explains that UPF 50 fabric lets through about 1/50 of UV rays, and that fabric protects less when it's stretched or wet. A simple visor like the Glove It Women's Golf Visor in White Clear Dot (last listed price $17.95) works on the court just as well as on the course. Our UV-protective activewear covers more options.
Tennis gift ideas at a glance
| Gift | Best for | Need her size or specs? | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restring gift card | Regular players | No | Use the stringer she already trusts |
| Overgrips | Everyone | No | Pick a color she likes; buy a multi-pack |
| Case of tennis balls | Frequent players | No | Match the brand she already plays |
| Skirt, skort or dress | Players who love new outfits | Yes | Check length and built-in shorts |
| Warm-up jacket | Winter and morning players | Yes | Fitted, stretchy, with thumb holes |
| Court tote or backpack | Everyone | No | Make sure it fits her racquet |
| Visor or UPF top | Outdoor players | Top only | Look for UPF 50 |
| Tennis gift box | When you can't decide | Yes (clothing size) | A mix of apparel and small extras |
When you can't decide: a tennis gift box
A curated gift box takes the guesswork out of shopping for a tennis player. It bundles apparel in her size with smaller court accessories, so she gets a mix of useful and fun.
Our Grand Slam Box women's tennis gift box (last listed price $79.99) was described as tennis apparel in her size and style, name-brand tennis balls, tennis accessories and skincare items like sunscreen and lip balm. See all women's tennis gift boxes and the wider women's tennis apparel section for more ideas.
If she plays golf too, many skirts and tops cross over between sports. Our guide to wearing tennis clothes on the golf course explains when that works, and our gift ideas for women golfers cover the golf side.
A note on our site: product pages are a style and sizing reference, and any prices shown are last listed prices.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good small gift for a woman who plays tennis?
Overgrips, a case of her usual tennis balls, a visor, a sweat-wicking headband or a stringing gift card all make good small gifts. She will use them up anyway, and you don't need to know her clothing size or racquet model to choose one.
How do I choose a tennis skirt size as a gift?
Check the tag on a skirt or pair of athletic shorts she already wears, then compare it with the brand's size chart. Pay attention to length as well as waist size, since tennis skirts range from short to long. If you're unsure, pick something with a stretchy waistband or choose an accessory instead.
How often should a tennis racquet be restrung?
It depends on how often and how hard she plays. Wilson notes the old rule of restringing as many times a year as you play per week, but says many players should restring more often. Notched or frayed strings and a dead, less comfortable feel are signs it's time.
Can tennis clothes be worn for golf?
Often, yes. Many tennis skirts, skorts and tops look similar to golf apparel, and some brands design pieces for both sports. Golf courses may expect collared or sleeved tops and a certain skirt length, so she should check her own course's dress code before wearing tennis clothes for a round.
For more gift ideas, browse our stocking stuffers for women who golf and our guide to washing performance clothes — from the Fore Ladies Golf team.
