Whether you're preparing to play tennis this spring or want to work on your technique during the winter, now's the right time to take up a new hobby.

Around 18 million people play tennis every year in the US. If you're new to the sport and ready to get on the court, you're probably wondering, what do I need to play tennis?

Like many sports, tennis comes with its fair share of bells and whistles. Of course, you'll need essentials like a beginner tennis racquet, but what about shoes, vibration-dampers, strings, and plenty of other accessories available for players? Here's a look at what you need to play tennis and what you can leave to the pros.

The most essential accessory for any amateur player is a comfortable racquet. You want to find a racquet that's made for your skill level and size to give yourself the best shot at improving. Most tennis racquets weigh around 9 to 11 ounces, and lighter racquets are typically better for beginners. On the other hand, heavy or bulky racquets can feel a little cumbersome as you're getting used to your new gear.

Here are a few of the top beginner tennis racquets on the market:

• Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 Oversized Pre-Strung Tennis Racquet
• Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Lite Unstrung Tennis Racquet
• Wilson Clash 108 Unstrung Tennis Racquet

Tip* If you're unsure whether or not tennis will be your new sport of choice, try renting a tennis racquet or investing in a used tennis racquet before you invest in a new one.

Add a comfortable, well-fitting pair of sneakers to your must-have tennis gear list. Tennis shoes (shoes specially made for playing tennis) are flat-soled and designed to withstand all the starts and stops, constant rotating, and side-to-side motions. For comparison, traditional running, walking, or other athletic shoes are intended for the repetitive forward motion of running or walking.

It's a good idea to invest in a pair of quality tennis shoes to help avoid any foot-related injuries while you're playing.

Here are a few fan-favorite tennis shoes for men & women.

• Wilson Rush Pro 2.5 Mens Tennis Shoes
• New Balance Court 806 Mens Tennis Shoes
• K-Swiss Hypercourt Supreme Womens Tennis Shoes
• Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 4 Womens Tennis Shoes

If you've never looked into it, you'd probably be surprised to learn just how many different types of tennis balls there are. A simple set of recreational or championship-level tennis balls should work if you're a beginner. If you eventually want to play in a tournament or a league, keep in mind, they may require a certain level of ball. Still, the most common standard hard-court is a "Type 2" ball.

For now, don't worry about a tennis ball machine. Quality ball machines for personal use don't come cheap. While they are helpful to serve balls if you don't have a partner, most clubs should have a ball machine you can utilize.

Grips come in all different forms. Most tennis racquets come with a leather grip, or you can put an overgrip on top. Grips essentially come down to personal preference. Leather grips are usually more expensive to replace but also last longer. Overgrips can add more padding and make it easier to control the racquet when your hands get sweaty.

Also, the size of your grip is determined by the size of your hand. In most cases, all you need is a ruler to determine which grip size is best for you.

Last but certainly not least is sun protection. It doesn't matter if you're playing in December or the middle of July; the sun can be really intense on the court.

Any time you begin a new strenuous activity, there's a risk of straining your muscles or injuring your joints. For example, you've probably felt sore after returning to the gym following a long break. Tennis is inherently hard on joints. Many players wear supports on the knees, elbows, wrists, or ankles to help prevent joint strain. You can use these supports to avoid new injuries and protect against known issues.

The most common tennis-related injury is tennis elbow, which is caused by the repetitive wrist and arm motions. Here are a few tennis elbow guards to help keep you comfortable.

Now that you have a complete list of must-have tennis gear, it's time to check out your local tennis club. If you're not ready to join a club just yet, consider visiting any public tennis courts in your area to get in some practice sessions.

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