It’s 4 to 4 in the second set when the overgrip gives up. The tacky white wrap has been peeling at the butt cap for weeks, and now a loose tail is flapping against the wrist on every forehand. At the changeover there’s no spare in the bag, so out comes a roll of athletic tape, wound around the handle in 90 seconds of bench-side surgery. It holds. Barely.
That scene says almost everything about good gifts for tennis players. The best ones are rarely flashy. They’re the small, consumable things players run out of at the worst moment: overgrips, fresh balls, a new string job, a towel that actually soaks up sweat. Tennis players go through gear quietly, and they notice when someone pays attention.
Below you’ll find ideas by budget, picks for men and women, Christmas and birthday gifts, high school senior night ideas, and a few DIY projects that hold up on court.
Find out three things before you shop
- Grip size. It’s printed on the racquet’s butt cap or throat, usually a number from 0 to 5 or a size like 4 3/8 inches. You need it for replacement grips and especially for a new racquet.
- Overgrip preference. Tacky or dry? Players with sweaty hands often prefer dry, absorbent wraps. Peek at what’s on their racquet now.
- Their strings. Some players are fussy about string type and tension. If you’re paying for a restring, let them choose at the shop.
Gifts for tennis players under $25
A stack of overgrips
A pack of three overgrips costs around $8 to $15, and bulk rolls of 30 or more run $30 to $60. Club players often change them every few matches, so this is the stocking stuffer that never misses. It suits every level, from beginner to varsity.
A case of balls
A can of three pressurized balls runs about $4 to $8, and a case of 24 cans costs roughly $80 to $140. For a smaller budget, a four-pack of cans covers a month of practice for a weekend hitter.
Vibration dampeners and a replacement grip
Dampeners cost $5 to $12 for a pack. A full replacement grip (the base layer under the overgrip) is $8 to $15 and transforms an old racquet that’s gone slick and flat.
Sweatbands and a cooling towel
Wristbands and a headband run $8 to $20 as a set. A cooling towel ($10 to $20) is a lifesaver on hard courts in July, when the surface can feel far hotter than the air.
Gifts for tennis players from $25 to $100
A prepaid string job
A restring usually costs $20 to $35 in labor plus $8 to $50 for the string itself, depending on whether it’s a basic synthetic gut or a premium multifilament or polyester. Buy a gift card at their local pro shop so they choose the string and tension. It’s ideal for a player who hasn’t restrung since last season.
A ball hopper or pickup tube
A hopper holding 60 to 75 balls costs $30 to $60 and turns solo serve practice from a chore into a routine. Great for the parent of a junior player, too.
A three to six racquet bag
Bags with a thermal-lined racquet compartment and a separate shoe pocket run $50 to $100. Look for a ventilated shoe section, because damp court shoes and strings don’t belong together.
Court shoes (with their sizing)
Tennis-specific shoes run $70 to $150 and are built for lateral movement in a way running shoes aren’t. Only buy if you know their size and preferred model, or give a gift card. Our guide to choosing running shoes explains fit basics that apply here as well.
Bigger gifts over $100
A lesson package or clinic series
Private lessons often run $50 to $120 an hour, and group clinics cost less per session. A four-lesson package is a smart gift for an adult returning to the game or a senior who wants to work on a weak backhand.
A new racquet, chosen together
Performance racquets cost about $150 to $280 unstrung. Don’t guess on this one. Take them to a shop that offers demo racquets, let them hit three or four, and pay for the one they pick plus the first string job.
A tournament or league entry
Local league fees and tournament entries vary widely, often $30 to $100 or more. Paying for a season of league play is a gift that becomes a whole spring of matches.
Gifts for tennis players by occasion
Christmas
Fill a stocking with overgrips, a can of balls, dampeners and a lip balm with SPF. For the main gift, a string job gift card or a winter indoor clinic keeps them hitting through the cold months. If they play indoors, a long-sleeve training top makes a practical add-on.
Birthday
Birthdays are a good time for the medium-sized gift: a new bag, a ball hopper or a lesson package. Add a personal card and a tube of their favorite balls.
For men and for women
Most tennis gear is unisex. Men and women both want the same consumables, so focus on fit where it counts: court shoes, a tennis skirt or shorts with ball pockets, a cap or visor, and a breathable quarter-zip for cool mornings. Ask about sizes rather than guessing.
High school senior night
Senior night gifts should be personal, affordable and easy to repeat for every senior on the team. Popular ideas: a framed team photo, a personalized racquet bag tag, a tennis ball “bouquet” of a can and overgrips tied with a ribbon, or a small poster with the player’s number and favorite memory from teammates. Keep each gift around $15 to $40 and check with the coach or booster club about any team guidelines. For more team-gift inspiration, see our volleyball senior night ideas.
DIY tennis gifts that survive real use
- Hand-sewn racquet cover. Use quilted cotton or canvas, trace the actual racquet head (most are roughly 10 to 11 inches wide), and add a zip or drawstring.
- Ball can gift sets. Clean an empty ball can, fill it with overgrips, dampeners and snacks, and wrap the label in printed paper.
- Embroidered towel. A medium gym towel with initials or a team name is quick and useful.
- Memory board. Mount a retired racquet on the wall with match photos around it. Great for senior night or a graduating player.
Rules and health notes worth checking
Balls and racquets. Under the ITF 2026 Rules of Tennis, any ball used in a tournament played under the Rules of Tennis must be named on the official list of approved balls, and the ITF publishes its list of approved tennis balls each year. The same rules cap a racquet at 29.0 inches long and 12.5 inches wide and require the string pattern to be generally uniform. Mainstream racquets and balls from tennis brands meet these, but novelty or oversized gimmick racquets may not be allowed in sanctioned play.
Elbow care. Mayo Clinic notes that tennis elbow is often linked to repeated wrist and arm motions, including playing racket sports with poor backhand form, and that poor equipment raises the risk. That’s one more reason a lesson or a properly sized grip is a thoughtful gift for an older player.
Sun. Outdoor matches can last two or three hours. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, reapplied about every two hours or after sweating. A visor, a sunscreen stick and a UPF long-sleeve top make a smart summer bundle.
Quick gift checklist
- Check grip size on the butt cap.
- Note whether they use tacky or dry overgrips.
- Let them pick strings and tension with a pro shop gift card.
- Never surprise anyone with a racquet: demo first.
- For senior night, keep gifts matched and personal for every senior.
Keep building the gift list
Shopping for the whole family? Browse gifts for athletes for multi-sport players, gifts for coaches for the team’s coach or club pro, and gym bag essentials for small add-ons that fit any tennis bag.
Questions people ask
What do you get a tennis player who has everything?
Consumables and experiences. Overgrips, balls and a prepaid string job always get used, and a lesson or league entry gives them something to look forward to.
What are good tennis gifts for men?
A string job gift card, a case of balls, a racquet bag with a shoe compartment or a breathable quarter-zip. If he plays often, a bulk roll of overgrips lasts all season.
What are good tennis gifts for women?
The same practical picks apply: overgrips, balls, a lesson package, a visor and a skirt or shorts with ball pockets in her size. Ask before buying shoes or a racquet.
What should I give for tennis senior night?
Matching, personal gifts in the $15 to $40 range work best: a framed team photo, a personalized bag tag, or a ball can stuffed with overgrips and notes from teammates. Check with the coach about team guidelines first.
What’s a good tennis birthday gift?
A medium gift like a ball hopper, a new bag or a four-lesson package. Pair it with a can of their favorite balls.
Can I make a DIY tennis gift?
Yes. Sewn racquet covers, embroidered towels, ball can gift sets and memory boards with a retired racquet are all practical and personal.
What are good Christmas gifts for tennis players?
Stockings full of overgrips, dampeners and balls, plus a string job gift card or a winter indoor clinic to keep them playing through the off-season.
Images in this article are AI-generated illustrations and original graphics created by SportsFable. They show gift ideas, not real people, teams or events.
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