The world of tennis is filled with iconic figures who have captivated tennis enthusiasts with their powerful playing styles, colorful personalities, and, at times, unique tennis idiosyncrasies. Whether it's ‘The King of Clay,’ Rafa Nadal meticulously placing his drinks diagonally from each other with the logos facing the tennis court, or tennis legend Andre Agassi’s obsession with his tennis bag, these habits give us a glimpse into how elite players prepare for each match.
In this blog, we’ll dive into some of the quirks behind our favorite tennis players and the lessons we can learn from them, including the role of a well-organized tennis bag like the Rocket tennis racquet bag.
Habits of Tennis Legends
Rafa Nadel
To the casual viewer, Nadel’s on-court rituals may seem over the top, but the 22-time grand slam singles title champion says they help him concentrate. When he's not fixated on his drinks, he's toweling off after every point and changeover, wiping his face with only one side of his towel. His obsession with towels even led him to show up to the US Open with a duffel bag full of hotel towels to ensure he had soft, plush ones available rather than the tournament’s standard-issue ones. We get it. When you’re playing tennis at that caliber, there’s no room for distractions, no matter how minor or scratchy they may be.
Frances Tiofo
Two-time US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiofo has a few quirks of his own – namely, changing his shirt the second he feels a small amount of moisture. While it's common for players to change their shirts a few times during a match, he once changed his shirts six times and left them scattered around his messy player bench (another habit). If he doesn’t feel light on the court, it's a distraction, so he’s adamant about packing 20 spare shirts and two extra pairs of shoes for a Grand Slam. He’s not leaving anything to chance.
Andre Agassi
Tennis legend Andre Agassi knows a thing or two about the importance of gear maintenance and organization. Many remember how, just before a match, he would have a ball person assist by taking off the plastic wrap that covered his racquets. It quickly became a habit that had many talking. In his autobiography "Open," he also wrote about how obsessive he was over his tennis bag. He kept it meticulously organized and made no apologies for this anal retentiveness. Everything going into his tennis bag had a purpose, and only he knew how to organize it in a way that worked for him.
Lessons from the Pros
We all know tennis is as much a mental game as a physical one. Many of these rituals give players a sense of control and consistency. When they obsess over the position of their drinks during changeovers, this seemingly trivial action helps keep their mind from wandering. Or when they constantly change their shirt, it helps maintain the energy and momentum they've built during the match. It's all strategic and, at times, a little superstitious even.
To prepare like the pros, start by evaluating your needs and preferences. Ask yourself the following to determine what to pack in your tennis bag:
- How many racquets do you like to carry?
- Do you sweat a lot?
- Do you like to bring snacks and extra drinks?
- Does your local pro shop sell string, dampeners, balls, and towels?
- Are you recovering from an injury?
- Do you have sun protection?
- How will you warm up and cool down?
Once you have selected your tennis essentials, think about how you want to organize them, including any personal items, in your tennis bag. Most bags feature a main compartment and one or two smaller pockets, resulting in most of your tennis gear being tossed into the main compartment. This tendency can lead to frustration on the court when you can’t find what you need at that exact moment. So, take a moment to evaluate your current tennis bag. If your bag or tennis backpack lacks internal organization, you could opt for packing cubes, or you could consider the Rocket, the best backpack that triples as a tote or duffle bag thanks to its adjustable shoulder strap.
The Rocket the Ultimate Tennis Bag
Tennis bags have come a long way since they were introduced in the late 19th century when their only purpose was to carry a tennis racquet and some tennis balls. As more recreational and competitive players continue to participate in the sport, many, including our favorite legends, would benefit from a larger bag that’s stylish, durable, and, above all, functional.
We designed the Rocket to be the best overall. There is ample storage in the racquet pocket for three racquets, a spacious main compartment for towels and shirts, and plenty of pockets to hold all your tennis equipment, including a ventilated shoe compartment.
The Rocket also features high-quality materials that make it work harder, such as:
- An outer shell made of abrasion-proof ballistic nylon
- Antimicrobial lining in the wet pocket
- Thermal lining in the racquet pocket and the internal cooler
- Stretchy water bottle pocket made of high-grade neoprene
- Self-mending zippers
- Easy-to-clean shoe compartment
Thanks to our innovative smart pocket system, players no longer have to worry about what goes where. Our user-friendly icons eliminate the guesswork, making retrieving items a breeze.
Elevate Your Game
Elite players inspire us to be more intentional with our preparation. Whether we take a page from Agassi’s book on prioritizing organization or ensure we have comfort items like Nadal and Tiafoe, there’s a lot we can learn from the pros. As you level up your game, consider the role your tennis bag plays in helping you stay mentally prepared.
If you’re ready for the best tennis racquet bag that helps you prepare like a pro, check out the Rocket.