The 16 Best Tennis Bags for Your Next Match, Including Sloane Stephens’ Favorite
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People / Marcus Millan
While you might play tennis purely for the adrenaline and sport, fashion is another element of this game that’s been keeping players on their toes since the 12th century. “A tennis bag is a key piece of equipment,” tennis star Sloane Stephens exclusively tells PEOPLE. There are endless designs to choose from, so beyond looks, you should also consider qualities like storage for one or more racquets, organizational compartments, durable materials, weight, and portability.
Read on for our favorite tennis bags, including those that Stephens rocks on and off the court.
Best Overall: Wilson Advantage Tennis Bag
Who It’s Good For
This is a versatile and affordable option that would work for many different needs and levels.
Who It’s Not Good For
It might be too bulky for someone who wants a more stylish bag.
What makes a great tennis bag is durability, capacity, and versatility — this bag embodies all three, while still being affordable. From trusty tennis brand Wilson, this tennis bag is made with durable polyester, so it’s easy to clean and won’t easily tear during travel. There’s enough capacity for up to three tennis racquets, with a large compartment for other essentials such as a towel, water bottle, and tennis balls. It’s super functional and rings in under $50. Plus, it comes in three colors.
Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 28 x 3.5 x 12 inches | Fits: 3 racquets | Colors: 3
Best Budget: Acosen Tennis Bag
Who It’s Good For
This is a great budget-friendly tennis bag that’s great for a day at the courts.
Who It’s Not Good For
It might not be as great for plane travel because the racquet handle wouldn’t be protected in transit.
This budget-friendly tennis backpack from Acosen offers great organization and easy transport to the courts. It’s made with durable polyester and has enough space to fit between two to three racquets, as well as other tennis equipment like towels and balls. There are quite a few small compartments for items like water bottles, keys, a wallet, and a phone. This bag comes in six colors (featuring bright and neutral options) and is easy to tote around, given the backpack design.
Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 15.8 x 7.8 x 20.8 inches | Fits: 2–3 racquets | Colors: 6
Best for Professionals: Head Tour Team 6R Bag
Who It’s Good For
This bag is ideal for professional tennis players because it can hold up to six racquets and has thermal technology to keep them protected.
Who It’s Not Good For
It just might not be necessary for beginners or those who only use one or two racquets.
This Head bag is durable and spacious, yet quite lightweight, making it ideal for a professional player who travels to matches all over the world. “I use the Head Tour Team 6R because it fits all the racquets I'd need for a match but isn't too bulky,” Stephens says. It can fit up to six racquets and has climate-control technology to protect them from extreme temperatures.
“I try to always carry my racquet bag on flights because it would be a big problem if I checked it and it got lost on the way to a tournament,” says Stephens. “You never know what the overhead storage situation is on a plane, so I try to not have too big of a bag.” Despite its compact size, this bag still has good organization with several mesh and zippered pockets to store extra essentials. Made with polyester, this bag is durable, water-resistant, and not likely to tear — a bag built to last from one tennis season to the next.
Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 78 x 34 x 26 inches | Fits: 6 racquets | Colors: 2
Best for Travel: Nike Brasilia 9.5 Training Duffel Bag
Who It’s Good For
It’s good for use as a checked or carry-on bag to store your rackets, as well as a travel bag for road trips.
Who It’s Not Good For
It can only hold a few racquets, so if you need more space, you should try another bag on our list.
This sturdy duffel from Nike is a great travel bag for tennis players because it can store your racquets, shoes, and other essentials with room to spare. You can carry it by the handles or the shoulder strap, depending on what’s most comfortable, and the polyester material should fare well against the wear and tear of travel. It comes in a basic black color that won’t show dirt, but you can easily wipe down the material should it need cleaning. There are also several pockets and compartments for storing any smaller items you might need.
Material: Recycled polyester | Dimensions: 28 x 14 x 14 inches | Fits: 2–3 racquets | Colors: 1
Best Unconventional: FP Movement Quilted Carryall
Who It’s Good For
This is a great bag for one racquet as well as a change of clothes or other things you might need.
Who It’s Not Good For
It wouldn’t protect a racquet in transit as well since the handle would stick out.
Stephens says she carries the FP Movement Quilted Carryall on the court with her to “keep spare outfits, lip balm, and things like that.” This durable Free People bag is quite spacious, so should you want to use it to carry extra racquets, it can comfortably fit one (maybe two maximum). The quilted fabric adds a fun design element, and the bag comes in three fun colors. This is another versatile bag that could be used for tennis as well as other outings.
Material: Quilted fabric | Dimensions: 17 x 14 x 6.5 inches | Fits: 1–2 racquets | Colors: 3
Best Backpack: Adidas Tour Tennis 12 Racquet Bag
Who It’s Good For
This is a great backpack for those who need a lot of storage.
Who It’s Not Good For
It’s not necessary for beginners or those carrying fewer than three racquets.
This Adidas backpack has ample storage and comfortable straps to carry everything you need on the go. With a capacity that can fit up to 12 racquets, this backpack could work well for a professional player as well as a coach or someone who needs ample backup options for their racquet. The bag is made with water-resistant and durable polyester, so it could work well for traveling to different matches if you play in a league. Plus, the padded straps make it comfortable to carry for longer journeys if you’re traveling by plane.
Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 31.5 x 14 x 14 inches | Fits: 12 racquets | Colors: 2
Best Design: Wilson Lifestyle Racket Bag
Who It’s Good For
This bag is ideal for those who equally prioritize fashion and function.
Who It’s Not Good For
It might be too pricey for those who want to spend less than $50 on a tennis bag.
This chic tennis bag offers a color block design that's sophisticated on and off the courts. It’s made with durable but lightweight polyester with some mesh accents, so it’s pretty functional as well. While this bag can fit up to four racquets, you can store one or two and then carry other items like towels, tennis balls, headphones, a water bottle, and anything else you might need for your outing.
Material: Recycled PET polyester | Dimensions: 29 x 7.5 x 13 inches | Fits: 4 racquets | Colors: 1
Best Duffel: lululemon Wunderlust Duffel Bag
Who It’s Good For
This bag is ideal for travel should you want a protective covering for your racquet.
Who It’s Not Good For
It’s not as conducive to a day at the courts, since it’s more bulky than a smaller tennis bag.
This Lululemon duffel bag is large enough to carry a tennis racquet, should you want a more durable bag for travel. Let’s say you need to check your bag and don’t want your racquet to get dinged by sticking out of a smaller bag — this bag is a good solution. It’s made with recycled polyester, so it’s water-resistant, fairly tear-proof, and comes in a classic black color. The beauty of this bag is its versatility, so if you need a duffel for non-tennis occasions, too, this can work for both purposes.
Material: Recycled polyester | Dimensions: 21.7 x 9.8 x 10.8 inches | Fits: 1 racquet | Colors: 1
Related: The Best Lululemon Leggings of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best Lightweight: Ame & Lulu Hamptons Tennis Tour Bag
$162 at Dickssportinggoods.com
Who It’s Good For
This is a great bag for country club tennis because it’s lightweight so you can bring it to different neighborhoods for matches.
Who It’s Not Good For
It might not be as effective for those who need space for multiple racquets.
This stylish and lightweight bag is perfect for country club tennis leagues because it is easy to tote around for matches, not too bulky if you want to ride your bike to the courts, and has storage for your wallet, keys, phone, sunglasses, lipstick, and more. It only holds one racquet, but for most players, this isn’t a huge issue, unless you’re a professional who needs multiple racquets. Plus, it comes in three whimsical colors: hot pink, spring green, and bright orange.
Material: Canvas | Dimensions: 16 x 6 x 16 inches | Fits: 1 racquet | Colors: 3
Best Monogrammed: Mark & Graham Sporty Stripe Tennis Tote
Who It’s Good For
This bag is great for those who want a touch of personalization with a monogram.
Who It’s Not Good For
It’s not super spacious, so it won’t work for those who need lots of storage.
This tennis bag is the epitome of sporty chic, with the added personalization of a monogram. It’s made with a nylon exterior and polyester lining that’s easy to clean and will hold up against rain as well as general wear and tear. The design offers three color combinations — white with pink trim, white with navy trim, and navy with white trim. While it only fits one racquet, it’s a lightweight and stylish bag that’s great for a casual day on the courts.
Material: Nylon exterior, polyester lining | Dimensions: 16 x 5 x 17 inches | Fits: 1 racquet | Colors: 3
Best for Storage: Babolat Pure Aero 12 Pack Bag
Who It’s Good For
This bag is ideal for coaches or those who need to carry a large number of racquets at once.
Who It’s Not Good For
It’s not necessary for beginners or those who need to travel with a lightweight bag.
If you need storage, the Babolat bag has you covered, as well as anything you want to carry with you to the courts. With three huge inner compartments — two of which have temperature control protection — this bag can store anywhere from 10 to 12 racquets, plus other tennis essentials. There’s also a large ventilated pocket for dirty clothes or shoes and smaller pockets for personal items. If you’re not carrying that many racquets, you can use the center compartment to store other larger items, like a water bottle or sunscreen. In terms of travel, you can carry this bag as a duffel or backpack, depending on which handles or straps you prefer.
Material: Not listed | Dimensions: 30 x 16.5 x 14 inches | Fits: 10–12 racquets | Colors: 1
Best Tote: Rothy’s The Lightweight Mega Tote
Who It’s Good For
This tote is great for those who want a versatile tennis bag that can be used for other purposes.
Who It’s Not Good For
It won’t work for those who need to carry five or more racquets.
While Rothy’s created a limited edition tennis collection in 2022 with recycled water bottles from the U.S. Open, we think this tote works well on and off the courts. This tote is quite sizable, so it can fit several racquets, other tennis essentials, and your favorite water bottle. It’s made from recycled marine plastic (a sustainable bonus!) and is completely machine washable for easy cleaning. It comes in six fun colors, including a navy stripe twill pattern that will catch the eye. As a tote, it can be used as a versatile bag for many occasions, besides tennis.
Material: Recycled marine plastic | Dimensions: 13.6 x 19.7 x 7.4 inches | Fits: 1–2 racquets | Colors: 6
Best Investment: Vessel Baseline Racquet Bag
Who It’s Good For
This is good for a serious player who needs to carry multiple racquets for tournaments and keep them protected.
Who It’s Not Good For
It’s not necessary for a beginner or anyone who just plays casually.
This is a top-of-the-line bag, but we'll be honest: It's expensive. It has a thermal-lined compartment that can fit two racquets, smaller pockets, and a larger chamber that can fit up to four more racquets or other tennis essentials you might need while traveling for tournaments. It’s made with a combination of synthetic leather, nylon, and neoprene materials, which creates water and tear resistance and can last for many years, making this bag worth investing in. You can choose from four sleek color designs and carry it as a duffel bag or backpack, depending on which straps you use.
Material: Engineered mesh bonded synthetic leather, premium nylon, neoprene straps | Dimensions: 34.5 x 13 x 12 inches | Fits: 6 racquets | Colors: 4
Best with Shoe Space: DSLeaf Tennis Bag
Who It's Good For
It’s ideal for those looking for a bag with durable and spacious compartments for racquets, balls, and accessories.
Who It's Not Good For
It may not be right for someone who needs a less bulky bag that will fit into tighter spaces.
This roomy backpack has storage space for your racquet, balls, accessories, and a separate zippered compartment for shoes. It’s lightweight, durable, and easy to carry with two cushioned shoulder straps. It also features a padded racquet compartment secured with a triangle buckle to hold up to two tennis racquets snugly in place. It’s made with 600D nylon and comes in two colors.
Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 12.8 x 8.7 x 18.9 inches | Fits: 2 racquets | Colors: 2
Best Organized: GEAU SPORT Stance Tennis Tote Bag
Who It's Good For
It’s a great choice if you're looking for a more versatile everyday bag.
Who It's Not Good For
It may be heavy to carry on one side if it’s full.
The Geau Sport Stance bag has ample storage and lots of compartments for organization. A special feature of the bag is its ability to remain upright even when it’s full, so it’s super easy to pack and unpack your equipment and accessories. It can hold up to two tennis racquets, and it includes a large main storage compartment that can hold shoes and several smaller pockets for other personal items. It has a hook in the rear, so you can hang it if you prefer.
Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 15 x 16 x 7.5 inches | Fits: 2 racquets | Colors: 2
Best Crossbody: Ytonet Tennis Bag
Who It's Good For
It’s a great choice if you prefer a sleek and stylish bag that’s super lightweight.
Who It's Not Good For
It’s not ideal for anyone looking for a bag that can hold larger accessories.
This stylish crossbody bag features a padded shoulder strap and multiple pockets. It can hold up to two tennis racquets or six pickleball racquets. It also has space to organize accessories like a phone, wallet, keys, and snacks. A side mesh pocket conveniently stores your water bottle in easy reach, and there’s a deep ball pocket in the front secured with a buckle. It has an adjustable, quick-release shoulder strap buckle, and it weighs just one pound, so it’s super easy to carry.
Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 13 x 19.3 x 5.5 inches | Fits: 2 racquets | Colors: 5
How to Pick the Right Tennis Bag
Price
Tennis is an expensive sport, especially considering the cost of league memberships, tournament travel, equipment, and apparel. While there is a range in pricing for tennis bags, it’s not uncommon to spend several hundred dollars on a quality bag. We’ve compiled a list with more budget-friendly options on the lower end of this range, like the Acosen Tennis Backpack, and other picks under or close to $100 — with a few outliers if you’re willing to invest a little more.
Material
Considering tennis is primarily an outdoor sport, chances are your bag will face some rain, fluctuating temperatures, and other weather conditions, so you want a durable material. Nylon and polyester are the most common materials used for tennis bags. You can also look for bags that offer thermal insulation that can help prevent the racquet’s strings from losing their shape and firmness, as the Babolat Pure Aero Tennis Bag has.
Capacity
How many racquets your bag can store is also a quality to consider, depending on your tennis level. Usually, for beginners or fairweather players, you’ll probably only use one racquet. In this case, capacity isn’t as important, and you might look toward style and other design elements instead. Capacity is essential for professional tennis players and others who need five or more racquets on hand. The bags with the most capacity on our list include the Vessel Baseline Racquet Bag, Babolat Pure Aero Tennis Bag, and Adidas Tour Tennis 12 Racquet Bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tennis bags allowed as carry-ons?
Yes, you can bring a tennis bag inside the airplane cabin as a carry-on bag, as long as it fits inside the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you.
What do professional tennis players keep in their bags?
What could be considered an "essential" in tennis depends on your level in the sport. For instance, professional players usually carry multiple racquets, extra shoes, clothing layers, sweatbands, hair ties, hats, sunglasses, sweat towels, water bottles, extra balls, grip tape, and more. Everyday players might need some of these depending on how hard they hit the ball, what the weather is like, and how long they’re on the courts for the day.
Why are tennis bags insulated?
Insulated sections are designed to protect your tennis racquet from fluctuating temperatures. Essentially, the strings on your racquet can lose their tension and become brittle in extreme heat or too tense in extremely cold weather, which can cause breakage.
Take Our Word For It
Madison Yauger is a seasoned commerce writer who’s tested hundreds of lifestyle products across all categories. With a background in news and lifestyle journalism, she has a wide network of expert sources. For this story, she spoke to tennis star Sloane Stephens and heavily researched the market of tennis bags to determine the best picks for different needs and players of all levels.
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