Handpicked Tennis Products for July
I've been playing tennis for the past 17 years and I've worked at Holabird Sports for the past 11 years.  Needless to say, tennis is my obsession—both as a career and as a pastime—so it should come as no surprise that one of my favorite job perks here at Holabird is seeing all of the latest and greatest gear as soon as it's released.  While I don't personally have time to try every product we carry, I do get a chance to test out an awful lot of awesome tennis equipment.  Here are some of my current favorites:

HEAD Murray Special Edition Monstercombi Bag


The cosmetic design of this bag was made especially for Wimbledon and former champion Andy Murray—hence the stylized Union Jack.  Well, Wimbledon is over and Andy Murray didn't defend his title but this is still a cool bag, especially for Wimbledon or Murray superfans.  It's also got plenty of nice features that make it an excellent everyday tennis bag, including an insulated racquet compartment and padded backpack straps.

See the HEAD Murray Special Edition Monstercombi Bag.

HEAD Graphene Extreme Pro


When I first took the Graphene Extreme Pro out for a hit, I wasn't sure how I'd end up feeling about it, but it left me pleasantly surprised.  The Extreme Pro provides a nice blend of power and control, all bundled up in a spin-friendly package.  This racquet is excellent for aggressive, hard-hitting baseliners who love to control the point with heavy topspin.

See the HEAD Graphene Extreme Pro racquet.

Solinco Tour Bite


I spend lots of my time on court testing out the new strings that are coming in, so I don't exactly have a "regular" string, but if I did, Solinco Tour Bite would definitely be a strong candidate.  It offers excellent performance and durability for hard hitters and string breakers alike.  To make things even better, it's priced a few bucks less than some of the other premium polyester strings on the market.

See the Solinco Tour Bite tennis string.

Wilson US Open Tennis Balls


Alright, so Wilson US Open tennis balls aren't exactly new, but they're still some of the best tennis balls I've hit with.  A lot of people think that tennis balls are a simple and that they're really all the same, but that's not necessarily true.  There are some slight variances between types and brands that cause different tennis balls to perform differently, even though they all fall into the acceptable performance ranges established by the ITF or USTA.  In the end, it's a matter of personal preference, but you won't go wrong with a premium ball like Wilson US Open.

See Wilson US Open Tennis balls.

Wilson Pro Overgrip


This is another product that's not brand new, but in my opinion Wilson Pro Overgrip is one of the very best overgrips available.  Holding onto your racquet is important anytime you're on the court—after all, you can't play without it—but it's especially difficult if you play in hot, humid weather like we do here in Maryland.  Wilson Pro Overgrip offers a nice blend of tackiness and soft feel so you can hang onto your racquet even with sweaty hands.

See the Wilson Pro Overgrips.

 Lacoste Ultra Dry Printed Polo & Ultra Dry Stretch Solid Shorts


Just dressing like a tennis player won't instantly enhance your skills (believe me, I've tried…), but it never hurts to look sharp on the courts.  These Lacoste items certainly fit the bill in terms of style, but they're also designed to be functional.  Composed primarily of polyester fibers, both the polo and the shorts wick moisture so they stay light and dry throughout your match or practice.

See the Lacoste polo and shorts.

Prince Protect Crew Socks


I'm always telling my students that good footwork on the courts is at least as important as good stroke production, so it stands to reason that taking good care of your feet is vital if you want to maximize your game.  Shoes usually steal the spotlight, but quality socks are an important piece of the footwear equation too.  Prince Protect Socks (available in crew, quarter, and roll top) are designed specifically for tennis with an anatomical left/right fit, blister protection, and targeted compression that helps reduce foot fatigue.

See Prince Protect Crew Socks.

 Fila Cool Body Sport Towels


Ever see pro players using ice-filled towels to cool off on changeovers when they play in blistering temperatures?  Well, most of us aren't lucky enough to have ball kids bringing us ice-filled towels so we do our best with what we have.  Fila Cool Body Sport Towels don't have quite the same effect as ice towels, but they certainly feel refreshing when used on changeovers during a hot match.  Plus, it's important to never underestimate the effect of even a small psychological boost during a close match.

See the Fila Cool Body Sport Towels.

 adidas Barricade 8+


As I mentioned above, taking good care of your feet is crucial if you want to feel good and play your best.  I've always been a pretty big fan of the adidas Barricade series and the Barricade 8+ is a quality update.  It's a little on the heavy side, but if you can get past that, it offers lots of cushioning, support, and durability, making it the perfect option for aggressive movers who are racking up the hours on-court.

See the adidas Barricade 8+ tennis shoes.