Top 5 Tennis Online Stores

Among American serious players, coaches, and club administrators, five internet retailers - Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Express, Do It Tennis, Midwest Sports, and Holabird Sports - regularly come up when asked where to get tennis gear. When it comes to racquets, stringing equipment, pricing, and customer service, each company excels in its own unique way.   

Club administrators and instructors should approach equipment procurement differently than an individual purchasing a single racquet. This article explains what each store does effectively, what to check before ordering (return policies on strung racquets catch many people unaware), and how to handle all of that. Anyone looking to purchase their first "real" racquet, parents shopping for a young player, or team managers attempting to ensure that every player has the proper equipment without a logistical nightmare might find this guide useful.

Key Takeaways

• In the United States, tennis players and instructors most often suggest the following five internet retailers: Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Express, Do It Tennis, Midwest Sports, and Holabird Sports.   
  
  
• Store regulations on returns vary greatly, particularly when it comes to strung racquets. You should always verify this before placing an order. 
  
  
• A racquet demo program, where customers may rent a racquet to test it out before purchasing, is a great perk that not many stores provide. 
  
  
• More so than most buying guides say, stringing and racquet modification (adding weight, changing balance) matter to intermediate and expert players. 
  
  
• Communication and payment collection, rather than product selection, are the primary challenges faced by clubs and academies when arranging team apparel or bulk gear orders compared to individual consumers.
  
  

Quick Comparison: The 5 Best Online Tennis Stores

Please be advised that policy on returns, shipping criteria, and program rules are subject to periodic changes. Since many companies do not accept returns on strung racquets, it is important to check the retailer's website for up-to-date information before placing an order.

What Actually Makes an Online Tennis Store Worth Buying From?

A good online tennis store does more than sell inventory. It helps you make a decision you won't regret, especially on a racquet purchase, which is a longer-term investment than shoes or strings.

The features that matter most are:

• Depth of product knowledge. Racquet specs (head size, weight, string pattern, swing weight) are technical. Stores with detailed comparison tools and honest reviews reduce guesswork.
  
  
• Demo or trial programs. Buying a racquet without hitting with it first is a common regret among intermediate players. A demo program lets you test before committing.
  
  
• Stringing and customization services. Many players don't just want a racquet off the shelf. They want specific string, tension, or added lead tape for balance. Not every store offers this at the same level.
  
  
• Return policy clarity, particularly on strung racquets. This is the single most overlooked detail in online tennis shopping. Once a racquet is strung to your specifications, many retailers can no longer accept it as a return.
  
  
• Customer service responsiveness. Sizing questions, string tension advice, and order issues come up often enough that support quality matters.

These five criteria are the backbone of the store-by-store breakdown below.

The 5 Best Online Tennis Stores

1. Tennis Warehouse

Players that value extensive product research and a large selection will find this to be the best option. 

A leading online tennis retailer, Tennis Warehouse (or "TW" as it's more commonly known) is based on a massive inventory of tennis equipment, including racquets, strings, and shoes, as well as a wealth of content, including reviews and comparisons of various models. Its extensive product information and demo program make it the go-to store for tennis racquets in online communities like r/tennis and tennis-related forums. 

Even for customers who end up buying elsewhere, it is a great place to do research because of all the side-by-side comparative content (specs, playtest videos, string recommendations, etc.).   

Be sure to verify the current policy for the particular type of racquet or shoe you're thinking about purchasing before placing an order. The terms of the demo program and the return windows can differ by product category.

2. Tennis Express

Who it's best for: Customers who value low prices and prompt responses from salespeople. 

The Houston, Texas-based tennis retailer Tennis Express is famous for matching prices and having customer service representatives that are knowledgeable on all aspects of tennis gear (including string tension, racquet weight adjustments, and shoe fit across brands). It has a wide selection of shoes, strings, racquets, and gear that rivals the bigger names in the industry. 

One notable aspect isthe customer assistance. Many consumers mention that the service is responsive, which is great for players whoaren'tsure which kind of shoe or racquet to choose. 

Important things to remember to verify before placing an order: just like with any tennis store, make sure to check the terms and conditions to see if price matching is applicable to the product you're comparing it to. Eligible competitors can change over time.

3. Do It Tennis

Ideal for: Players with some experience who want to customize their racquet feel for a more personalized experience. 

Racquet customization tools, such as the ability to add weight, adjust balance point, and tweak grip characteristics before the racquet ships, have made Do It Tennis famous among competitive and club-level players for a long time. Players who have a favorite racquet in mind but would like it tuned to tour standards will find this to be the most important feature. 

Particularly noteworthy is the fact that such a degree of personalization is more difficult to find elsewhere for players beyond the novice stage who are concerned with swing weight and balance as opposed to merely brand and model. 

Things to remember before placing an order: if you require equipment for a particular tournament or match, you should factor in the extra time it will take to process your order because personalization usually lengthens this procedure.

4. Midwest Sports

The ideal customers are tennis and pickleball players and families that want to shop for both sports. 

Midwest Sports is a great choice for families or groups that have members who play both tennis and pickleball because of their extensive tennis catalog and expanding pickleball selection. Part of its success has come from its video evaluations and buying guides, which try to provide inexperienced consumers the information they need to make informed purchases. 

Standout: if your home or club manages equipment for more than just tennis, the crossover inventory will be a lifesaver. 

Important things to remember to verify before placing an order: if the date of your delivery is critical, compare shipping rates and timeliness of delivery among all of the stores on this list, just like you would with any specialty retailer.

5. Holabird Sports

Ideal for: Those on a tighter budget or in search of clearance or cheap tennis gear. 

For great deals on shoes, gear, and some racquets from previous seasons, check out Holabird Sports in Baltimore, Maryland. They have a wide variety of sports equipment, including jogging, tennis, and more. While it may lack the specialized knowledge of a tennis-only store when it comes to personalization and stringing, it is often recommended in conversations about tennis shoes for value-conscious shoppers. 

The most notable aspect is that, in comparison to full-price specialized stores, clearance and outlet-style pricing can significantly lower the cost of clothing and footwear. 

Before you rely on their technical help for a purchase as complex as a racquet, make sure that their tennis-specific offerings (stringing guidance, racquet fitting) are sufficient for your needs, especially since they are a multi-sport company.

How Do You Choose the Right Online Tennis Store for You?

Direct answer: the right store depends on what you're buying and how much guidance you need. Use this checklist before ordering:

1. What am I buying? Racquets benefit most from stores with demo programs and customization. Shoes and apparel benefit more from price and selection.
   
   
2. Do I need to try before I buy? If you're unsure about a racquet, prioritize a store with a demo program over one with the lowest price.
   
   
3. Will I need it strung to specific tension? Confirm the store offers stringing service and understand the return policy once a racquet is strung.
   
   
4. How fast do I need it? Customization and stringing add processing time. If you have a tournament deadline, factor that into which store and service level you choose.
   
   
5. Am I buying for a team or a single player? Bulk or group orders raise different questions than individual purchases (see the section below).
   
   
6. Do I need brand-specific expertise? If you're choosing between two competing racquet models, a store with knowledgeable support staff can save you a costly mistake.
   
   

Common Mistakes When Buying Tennis Gear Online

• Assuming a racquet can be returned after it's strung. Many retailers will not accept returns once a racquet has been strung to your specifications. Check this before you order.
  
  
• Skipping the demo program to save time. A racquet that looks right on paper can feel wrong in your hand. Demo programs exist specifically to prevent an expensive mistake.
  
  
• Buying shoes based on tennis brand loyalty alone. Court-surface outsole design (hard court, clay, all-court) affects durability and traction more than the shoe brand itself.
  
  
• Ignoring shipping timelines around tournaments or events. Customization and stringing take extra processing time. Order earlier than you think you need to.
  
  
• Ordering team gear individually instead of coordinating as a group. This often leads to mismatched sizing, missed deadlines, and no group pricing.
  
  

How SportsPlus Fits Into the Picture for Tennis Clubs, Coaches, and Academies

This tutorial isn't about selling tennis equipment, and SportsPlus isn't. However, when managing programs of any size, tennis clubs, academies, and leagues often encounter an issue related to equipment: how to keep track of team apparel orders, inform parents of sizing deadlines, and collect payment for group gear purchases without causing an administrative jumble spread out over multiple spreadsheets, emails, and texts. 

Here is where SportsPlus's actual work intersects with the operational side of managing a tennis program. So that administrators can focus on other tasks like managing practice schedules, keeping tabs on registrations, and creating tournament brackets, clubs and academies utilize SportsPlus to handle all the details surrounding gear orders, including communicating with teams and parents, collecting payments online, and scheduling and enrolling for programs. 

In reality, this means that the club director doesn't have to juggle personal messages or a shared spreadsheet to notify all registered families of a gear order deadline, collect payment through the platform, and keep the whole thing separate from the day-to-day club calendar and registration system.

Final Takeaway

You can't generalize about which online tennis store is "best" since it all depends on your specific needs and the products you're looking to purchase. In terms of product research and variety, Tennis Warehouse is unrivaled. Customer care and matching prices are two of Tennis Express's standout features. When it comes to personalizing your racquet, Do It Tennis is your best bet. Customers who play both tennis and pickleball can find what they need at Midwest Sports. If you're looking for cheap shoes and clothes, Holabird Sports is a great place to shop. 

The most prudent course of action for individual consumers is to coordinate their shopping experiences with the store's offerings, such as racquet demo programs and customization, shoe and apparel selection and pricing, and so on. The most difficult part of maintaining a team's equipment isn't typically finding a retailer, according to club administrators and coaches. A specialized club administration system complements your go-to tennis store by streamlining order coordination, communicating due dates, and collecting payment. 

Looking for a way to centralize registration, scheduling, communication, and payments for your tennis club, academy, or league? Check out SportsPlus for Sports Organizations.