One often wonders looking at tennis players carrying their kit of rackets and other equipment and accessories, can’t someone else do that for them? This is a question this article looks at in depth.
The tennis bag is a critical component of the sport and necessary for the tennis players to have at all times.
Gear is a critical factor in most sports including tennis and tennis players have a lot of items that they deem indispensable in the game. A tennis bag is to a tennis player what car emergency kits are for a driver and it is necessary in order to carry all the items needed especially during a tournament.
However, the sight of players carrying a huge bag into the court usually leaves you wondering why they cannot get carriers to help, right?
This article will provide you with some of the reasons,
Table of Content
Why Tennis Players Choose to Carry Their Own Bags
Sense of Security
Tennis players gain a sense of comfort by carrying their bags as they are sure of whatever is packed inside and know that they are able to meet any of their needs during playtime.
These items may range from blister sprays, grips to isotonic salts. The bag acts as an emergency kit for many tennis players and they feel safe carrying it themselves.
Sports safety is key and you carrying your own bag provides a sense of security.
This peaks their focus in the game which is key for great performance and gives players a competitive advantage over their opponent. Tennis also calls for mental work and a sense of security offers the right frame of mind to tackle your opponent and win.
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Sponsorship
Tennis can be an expensive sport and players who have chosen this path as their sole career need to come up with ways to ensure it remains lucrative.
This usually comes in the form of brand sponsorships. Private companies who have invested heavily in fashion, sports and health approach professional athletes for partnerships in exchange for gear or payment depending on the contract.
Sponsorships afford tennis players the chance to play and progress in the sport. Every professional tennis player looks for an opportunity to score a sponsorship and the bags create a means for them to effectively promote the product and in turn provide value to their sponsors.
Cost Cutting Measure for Those Down the Rung
Tennis is largely an individual sport. Apart from a coach that one might hire, tennis players are tasked with ensuring they give their best if they want to appear at the top and compete in some of the world’s best tournaments and earn more.
Scaling to the top requires perseverance, grit, hard work and focus. In tennis you are the only one solely responsible for every loss and win, the fewer distractions the better.
Evidence of this came up during the onset of Covid -19 when Novak Djokovic pushed for a relief fund for colleagues who had been hard hit as a result of the pandemic.
Some of the tournaments at the highest level, on the ATP and WTA tours are the only ones that gain media coverage and this means that only players in this range enjoy great pay and can deem this sport as lucrative.
Those at the top such as Vasek Pospisil have also been heard complaining of the low cut they get compared to the revenue they generate for the tournament.
This list keeps changing over the years and staying at the top is not a guarantee. Tennis players may opt to carry their own bags in order to curb costs as it is already an expensive sport.
Individual Preference
Looking the part is very important for many tennis players. You want to have the best brand sports attire and the bag to match.
Embracing good fashion and style in a tournament is a key confidence booster for the players and this at most times may even lead to a winning streak which is what you always aim for in a competition.
Needs and preferences vary between players. It is important that they carry their own bags to prevent confusion as to what is critical to pack in the tennis bag or not.
It is beneficial that tennis players make this personal choice for themselves.
Also Read:
- Is There a Dress Code for Players and Spectators at Grand Slams?
- Why do Tennis Players Check the Balls Before Serving?
Laws and Regulations
There are approved bags for the tennis court. The presence of an unapproved bag may lead to heavy fines. American tennis player Reilly Opelka suffered such a fate.
It is therefore advisable with these laws and regulations to be more responsible for the bag you carry and ensure it meets the sport’s standards.
Letting someone else carry the bag may prove disastrous as they may be clueless about the requirements. A little error in production may also prove costly for tennis players and it is best that they take personal responsibility for such matters.
Maintaining Status Quo
It is a common phenomenon that whatever you find happening in the society and is deemed normal, you practice. Many young tennis players venturing into the field have found professionals ahead of their time carrying their own tennis bags.
It is no wonder therefore that they also opt to do the same and continue the practice as it has become a routine in their sport.
Form of Respect
Coaches around the world deem many young tennis players as rude and arrogant. In order to keep players grounded coaches ensure that players get to carry their own bags and even string their rackets by themselves.
Renowned coach Toni Nadal has confessed to letting his nephew, tennis superstar Rafael Nadal carry his own bags to demand respect. He cites that he has seen many players being rude to their coaches and lacking a sense of responsibility and respect for others.
Final Words on Tennis Players Carrying Their Own Kit
Tennis is a highly tasking sport and a game can stretch through several hours. Players require essential items hence the need to carry the bag themselves. The bags also act as an assassin kit for the sport as legendary tennis player Andre Agassi used to call it.
They carry every item that they deem important and this at most times can only be personally determined.
It is however not mandatory for tennis players to carry their own bags and they can hire carriers at their own expense. Players know people who they can trust and entrust this responsibility. We hope that this article has provided you with clarity on why tennis players carry their own bags.