How to Look Like a Female Tennis Pro

Professional tennis players are stylish, athletic and they make a lot of money by playing at the top level of a really fun game. So, the question is, who wouldn't want to be like a professional female tennis player? The problem is, not only have these women worked hard and trained from a very young age, they are also genetically blessed with superior athleticism. Aspiring recreational players can definitely work to improve their game, but, reaching the professional level of any sport is highly unlikely. That doesn't mean you have to set your dreams aside, though. You can still look like pro female tennis player. Here is a list of things you can buy, use, or wear to make yourself look like a female tennis pro.

Many women who play tennis carry their racquets in a tennis bag. Personally, I carry a backpack that holds two racquets and also has ample room for slightly used tennis balls, half-eaten snacks and discarded over wrap. Professional tennis players don't carry small backpacks or cutely designed bags. They carry seriously large bags that sport logos of racqet brands. They need those larger bags to carry the many racquets needed during a match. You see, while we average people use the same racquet for multiple years and only get the racquet restrung every 6 months or so, professional players go through several racquets in a match. These players are so good that they can detect the slightest difference in string tension and know exactly what tension level is needed for every playing situation. That's why they need an extra large bag. The reason they carry a bag with a logo on it is simple: they are paid to represent the brand. So, if you want to look like a real pro, buy yourself a large tennis bag with a logo on it.

It's tempting to drop into your local mega discount superstore and pick up a racquet there. I think they sell them for around $50. The thing is, whether you are trying to look like a pro or just play to your highest potential, getting the right equipment is important. Those discount racquets may look the same but they aren't really the same. It's kind of like the difference between Banana Republic and Old Navy. They are both stores owned by the same company but the quality is vastly different. Get a good racquet from either Amazon.com or TennisWarehouse.com. Tennis Warehouse even lets you try out racquets before you buy. I tried several before settling on my Volkl. I'm a strong woman so don't really need a power racquet. My Volkl gives me more control and feel which is something that I sometimes struggle with. Also, I have suffered from tennis elbow on several occasions. This particular racquet has excellent vibration dampening properties, so, no more tennis elbow for me. The added bonus is the sound the racquet makes when striking the ball. If you've ever watched live professional tennis, you have noticed the sound made when the ball is struck. It's sort of a "thwomp". Some racquets make a "ting" sound when they hit a ball. That doesn't sound like a professional. The Volkl Power Bridge makes a "thwomp". Go ahead and check out some different racquets, but, make sure to get one that works for your game and your particular skill level. A player who has the right racquet looks more like a pro.

At a typical tennis court, you will see all kinds of clothing worn. Some women just wear shorts and tee shirts while others wear frilly, pattern covered tennis outfits or other fashionable workout-wear bought from places like Lululemon. Professional tennis players wear fashionable tennis clothing, too. Although I can't recall the last time I saw a pro wear ruffles, (I'm sure Bethanie Mattek-Sands must have at some time) they do wear some amazingly beautiful dresses and outfits. Some of the most fashionable women in tennis are Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Ana Ivanovic. You, too, can look like these players. During a tournament, the outfits of major players can be found on tenniswarehouse.com or at specialty tennis stores. Other tennis players look great, too, decked out in clothing created by mainstream tennis clothing brands like Nike, Adidas, K-Swiss, and LaCoste. If you want to look like a professional tennis player, wear the same ensembles they wear. A nice tennis dress is not only comfortable but it's also convenient. There's no mixing and matching when wearing a tennis dress. Just slip the dress on and add a pair of compression shorts underneath and you are ready for your next match. A classic like the Nike Border tennis dress looks great on most players and is available in several colors.

Wearing the right shoes is important. Running shoes are not appropriate shoes for tennis. They do not offer the correct support and, if you wear them on the court, you risk injury. If you are unsure of how to tell if a shoe is an actual tennis shoe, check out my article: How to Buy Tennis Shoes. There are several great brands of tennis shoes available from tennis specific manufacturers. These brands include but are not limited to: Nike, Adidas, K-Swiss, Wilson, Prince, Babolat, and Asics. I have a narrow heel and wide forefoot with a very high arch, so, finding the right shoe is difficult for me. The Nike Max Breathe Free and Babolat V-Pro Lady have been the best shoes for my type of foot. Your needs may be different, however. While too narrow for my big, wide forefoot, the Nike Lunar Speed 3 has a very nice arch support and works well for those who need a normal width toe box.

Club players generally use plain athletic tape or pre-made braces to protect their injuries. Professional players use Kinesio Tape. Actually, I use the stuff for myself and my student-athlete children. Kinesio Tape allows you to adjust tension and wrap only the injured part of your body. My daughter has a shoulder injury. Instead of wrapping around and around her rotator cuff, she only needs three, strategically placed strips of Kinesio Tape to hold her tendons in place.The best part is, the tape stays on for days and doesn't come off when you sweat or shower. My daughter's Physical Therapist recommends Kinesio Tape and if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me. If you've ever watched professional tennis, you have seen loads of this product on shoulders, knees, down calves and around forearms. It looks like a fancy, artistic decoration sometimes but, actually, it's one of the most exciting products I've seen in a long time. If you have an injury, need to wrap it and want to look like a pro, get some Kinesio Tape. Your doctor or Physical Therapist will be able to instruct you on proper wrapping techniques.

When many recreational tennis players play outdoors, we wear sunglasses. I have a nice pair made by Bolle that actually help me to see the ball better. They also make everyone look pasty white but that's a whole other story. Professional tennis players rarely wear sunglasses. Instead, they wear visors to keep the sun off their faces. Visors not only protect your face and eyes from the sun but they also keep your hair out of your eyes and the sweat off your face. I know. Ladies don't sweat, they glisten, right? Well, visors help keep the "glisten" from your hair out of your eyes. They also look good with a ponytail hanging over the back, so, they help recreational players look more "professional". A good, basic, black or white visor will go with any outfit.

These are just a few items that can help you to look like a professional women's tennis player. Although, there are a few more things that come to mind. For instance, many of the top players wear jewelry. Whether it's Serena Williams' gigantic earrings or Maria Sharapova's narrow, dangly earrings and fine necklaces, players love to sport their bling. And speaking of Serena Williams, did you happen to see her at the US Open this year? Serena was sporting some fabulously applied eye makeup with winged eye liner and perfectly styled brows. It seems that, even when competing to win a grand slam, a professional athlete has got to look good. And, look good she did. Her eyes and her tennis game were both stunning as Serena Williams claimed her 14th grand slam title at the 2012 US Open. More than anything worn or carried, play like Serena exhibited throughout that tournament is truly what makes a person look like a professional tennis player at the top of her game.