Simplicity vs. Poser-ville: Where Do You Live?

[new_tennis_player]

The great thing about tennis is it's simplicity: a racket a court, a few tennis balls, and you're ready to go.

On the other hand, a few niceties can go a long way: overgrips to save your regular grip, some white clothes to beat the heat, a tennis bag so you don't have to carry your racket in your hand when you travel, an extra racket or two for yourself or your friends, and so on.

So yeah, I'd like some extra gear, but I don't want to become or be seen as the pretentious poser or try hard who hauls around a mountain of gear.

On the other hand, new gear looks nice and offers so many cool little conveniences, the shopping itself can get addicting.

Where did you find your balance?

[retlod]

Age gave me the security and maturity to show up dressed however I want, carrying any amount of gear, and not give a damn what anyone else thinks.

[dak95_00]

I'm with retlod. When I was a teenager, the racquet was just as important as my game.

In my 20s, I didn't care about the racquet. My game was more important but I wouldn't show up dressed like a pro or carry a nice bag. I probably just showed w/ a racquet and balls.

In my late 30s, I don't care. I have a big bag to carry my 2 racquets, balls, extra grips, rosin, money, my kids racquets & foam balls, etc. It might as well be an oversized man purse. It was given to me as a gift in my late 20s and I just looked at it as a "you've got to be kidding me" gift. I have to admit though. It has come in handy for keeping my stuff together. I've started wearing wristbands for sweat absorption and support and am greatly considering a headband for the sweat absorption. I have no fears of looking like a dork. I'd probably just embarass my kids, wife, or both. That's their problem. I'm tired of sweating through and ruining good hats.

I really don't see where I could go from here. I guess next I will buy more fashionable and sensible clothes. I still wear baggy basketball shorts and the first t-shirt I come across in the closet.

[cesarmo03]

a poser i would describe him/her as somebody who dress exactly like a pro from head to toe and have 8-12 racquets from the same brand and dont play a thing.

a simple person i would call, somebody who use the number of racquets he need like 2-3 for example if you break strings everyweek or every 3 days from the same brand, doesnt pay attention of what he wears if is adidas, nike etc. And when people talk about him just bagel him and they shut up.

[bcart1991]

I break strings often enough that I need to bring an extra racquet or two. It's spring/summer here in the South, so a second shirt is a big help, especially if my match goes three sets. A couple cans of balls for home matches, sweatbands, overgrips, and a place to put my keys and such.

I'm not posing, but I'm not going existentialist either...

[bcart1991]

The lady I played against in mixed this weekend brought a small (~8") fan on the court with her. I thought that was a little ridiculous.

[HitItHarder]

Originally Posted by bcart1991

The lady I played against in mixed this weekend brought a small (~8") fan on the court with her. I thought that was a little ridiculous.

OK -- that may be a little too much gear.

I bring a good bit in my bag. It is a pretty big bag too. I am fine with it. I could care less what other people think. I realize I will never be better than a crappy rec league player. I don't act otherwise. So I think other people don't think too much about it either. I think people are reacting to bad attitudes more than they are reacting to people bringing a ton of gear to the court.

Heck, if I don't put all my stuff in one place like my bag, I may never find it come match time.

[Marshredder]

I've found myself addicted to the thrill of new stuff which has resulted in a bit more stuff than I needed. Now im finished playing university tennis im downsizing a lot, just going to be playing socially at a club for a year, touch up some techniques etc, so I've gone from 6 racquets in a 12 case to 3 in a 6, dont feel too poserish that way.

In the end, you have to let the play do the talking.

[new_tennis_player]

See, I am veering in this direction, which is why I started this thread: either to check myself before my shopping gets out of control, or to not worry if I DO wind up buying and bringing a bunch of gear. Win/win either way?

I think the only reason I would get a big 6 or 9 racket bag right now is because I found a couple on sale and they are either cheaper or the same cost as backpacks, which hold significantly less gear (not that I have a ton anyway).

I'll just get a bigger bag and deal with any resulting poser ville guilty feelings I suppose.

Originally Posted by Marshredder

I've found myself addicted to the thrill of new stuff which has resulted in a bit more stuff than I needed. Now im finished playing university tennis im downsizing a lot, just going to be playing socially at a club for a year, touch up some techniques etc, so I've gone from 6 racquets in a 12 case to 3 in a 6, dont feel too poserish that way.

In the end, you have to let the play do the talking.

[Seth]

I feel that sometimes the "post pictures" threads lead some posters to unintentionally compete for the newest stuff. Then there's the posters who are comfortable using their 20 year old frames. Just an observation. Where ever you fall, it should be what you're most comfortable with. I like retlod's comment about not giving a damn.

[new_tennis_player]

At the courts, I saw a couple of players with brand new 9 or 12 racket bags. They were very shiny red and orange bags, respectively.

I have to admit, it gave them a bit of a rock star effect.

[tbuggle]

big bag = more beer.

other than that, i try not to pose too much.

[Chanto]

I'm 16. I play with a pretty nice K Factor super six pack, but that's because it was on sale. I have 2 rackets, and they were pretty cheap on Tennis Warehouse liquidation. I also wear tennis shoes. After that, that's pretty much it. No need for all this performance clothes crap when anyone can easily play just as well in cotton.

[bayoozen33]

Originally Posted by Chanto

I'm 16. I play with a pretty nice K Factor super six pack, but that's because it was on sale. I have 2 rackets, and they were pretty cheap on Tennis Warehouse liquidation. I also wear tennis shoes. After that, that's pretty much it. No need for all this performance clothes crap when anyone can easily play just as well in cotton.

I think that people who play in cotton have never played in polyester in the humidity. And you can get cheap sweat wicking polyester shirts at Target. I wait for them to drop from 12 or 15 bucks down to about 3.50 on clearance. They are just as nice as a $30 Nike shirt.

[bcart1991]

Originally Posted by bayoozen33

I think that people who play in cotton have never played in polyester in the humidity. And you can get cheap sweat wicking polyester shirts at Target. I wait for them to drop from 12 or 15 bucks down to about 3.50 on clearance. They are just as nice as a $30 Nike shirt.

Cotton is still the best material to play in, until it gets wet...

I too like the wicking shirts at Target.. I can usually find them around $10.

[bcart1991]

That said, I still have the first-gen Dri-Fit shirt I got back in the mid-'90s.

****Is there no edit feature on this forum or do I just not have enough posts?****