Whether You are Going Near or Far

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

To say it lightly, it has been a long year for sure. Having to stay inside for most of 2020 may have helped our bread-making game, but not our tennis game.

As states begin to reopen, and travel becomes safe again, we are so excited to travel to our favorite tennis courts, tournaments, and professional events around the US.

Whether you are traveling to one town over or if you’re going to a beachy destination, forgetting your racquets while traveling for any excursion is not an option.

So, let’s talk about tips for traveling with tennis racquets.

Flying to your destination?

While the TSA does not list a tennis racquet as prohibited, they do recommend the following: “For sporting goods that are not prohibited, you should check with the airline to ensure that sports equipment will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane.” Not willing to risk carrying on? Your best bet is checking your racquets in a hard-sided piece of luggage or stacking more than one racquet together in your soft-sided baggage in between your clothes to lessen the risk of damage.

Driving to your destination?

Packing them up shouldn’t be a problem, but don’t forget that your strings and frame don’t do well in extreme hot or cold, so don’t forget to take your racquets inside between those practice sessions.

Traveling by train?

Not knowing whether you will be able to store your racquet next to you, above you, or in front of you makes us all a little anxious. Would you agree? That is why we recommend packing your racquets in a hard-sided piece of luggage or stacking more than one racquet together in your soft-sided baggage in between your clothes to lessen the risk of damage.

Want to know the best part? You’re not limited to using your racquet only on the tennis courts while traveling. There are endless ways you can put that racquet to good use. Let’s consider some other uses for those racquets in a pinch while traveling*:

• Going somewhere buggy? How about your racquet doubling as a fly swatter!
• Traveling into snow zones? How about treading through a few feet with tennis racquet snowshoes on?
• Headed to the lake without paddles? How about swapping in your old racquet to get you back to shore. Note: It’ll probably be more effective as a paddle if you leave the case on.
• Decoration! Hang those ornaments or Holiday cards off your strings for a cute decoration in a pinch!

*We have never tried using a tennis racquet for any of these activities, but if you do – please send us photos!

With these tips for traveling with tennis racquets, you’re ready to go anywhere with your tennis gear! So where are you going first?

Interested in learning more about tennis in the Mid-Atlantic? Visit www.usta.com/midatlantic to find your place on the court or click here to learn more about the positive impact tennis creates in communities across the Section.