What do you need to play tennis?

To play tennis, you need a few essential items and a basic understanding of the game's rules. Here's a list of what you'll typically need: 1. Tennis Racket: This is the most important piece of equipment. It's used to hit the ball and comes in various sizes and weights, so you can choose one that fits your strength and playing style. 2. Tennis Balls: You'll need a few tennis balls. They are made of a hollow rubber and covered with felt. The type and pressure of the ball can vary depending on the level of play. 3. Appropriate Clothing: Comfortable athletic wear that allows for a wide range of movement is necessary. Tennis-specific clothing is designed to wick away sweat and allow for freedom of movement. 4. Footwear: Specialized tennis shoes are recommended to provide the necessary traction and support for quick movements and stops on the court. 5. Tennis Court: The game is played on a rectangular court with a net dividing it into two halves. The court has specific markings and dimensions that are standardized for official play. 6. Optional Accessories: Some players may choose to use additional items such as a tennis bag to carry their gear, wristbands or headbands to keep sweat off, and a sweatband for the racket handle for better grip. 7. Understanding of the Game: Knowing the basic rules, scoring system, and etiquette of tennis is crucial to play the game properly. 8. Optional - Tennis Strings: While not necessary for casual play, if you're serious about the game, you might want to consider the type of strings you use on your racket, as they can affect play performance. 9. Optional - Tennis Lessons or Coaching: For beginners, it can be beneficial to take lessons to learn proper technique and avoid bad habits. 10. Optional - Warm-up and Cool-down Routine: To prevent injury, it's important to warm up before playing and cool down afterward.

Tennis is a racket sport that can be played individually against a single opponent (singles) or between two teams of two players each (doubles). Each player uses a tennis racket that is strung with cord to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over or around a net and into the opponent's court.