One of tennis's more charming origin stories starts with equipment. In Great Britain in 1874, Major Walter Clopton Wingfield patented his lawn-tennis game. The International Tennis Hall of Fame records early sets with rubber balls, a net, poles, court markers, and an instruction manual. I like that scale: the sport arrived as a parcel that could turn a croquet lawn into a court.

 

That is the spirit behind tennis gifts for him, less a costume and more a handful of objects that make the court feel like his own. Lacoste gives the style side a story. Robert George drew its crocodile in 1927; by 1933, André Gillier was helping René Lacoste develop the special tennis shirt, embroidered with an emblem at the chest. It is a practical origin story too, with the label describing short sleeves as a mobility choice.

 

For the first layer, I would choose based on whether he likes a crisp collar or a plain tee. The NikeCourt Advantage polo has a white body, black chest mark, and longer back hem that will sit neatly over shorts; the NikeCourt graphic tee puts a court print on an easy short sleeve. The black adidas Club Tennis piqué polo keeps the collar but pares back the color, while the adidas Freelift tee in Aurora Ink offers a flat-knit V-neck and bonded hem. New Balance's purple Fast Track jacquard brings more color to his rotation, and Lacoste's black polo with gold collar trim gives the crocodile story a subtler nod. The BOSS Tennis Toc Serve 2 is a black crewneck with tipped cuffs if he would rather skip a collar altogether.

 

I would check his usual shirt fit and the collar he reaches for before picking a size. If he owns mostly plain tees, start there rather than imposing a tournament uniform.

A shoe gift should start with the court he plays on, not the color that caught your eye first. Nike Vapor 12 is black mesh, with Zoom Air cushioning back and a reworked upper and traction pattern relative to Vapor 11. If he plays clay more often, On The Roger Pro Fire Clay has wide, deep herringbone grooves intended to grip clay and resist buildup. That surface question is more useful than guessing from a product photo.

 

For a neutral hard-court look, the off-white adidas Barricade 14 gets violet stripes and mint-and-yellow accents; its Repetitor foam and Lighttraxion outsole speak to cushioning and weight, while the mesh upper adds breathability. GameCourt 3 goes brighter, with blue stripes and a lightweight TPU heel clip that stabilizes the rearfoot during lateral actions. The white Wilson Rush Pro Ace has a wider rounded toe and a 4D Support Chassis, a useful detail to check if he asks for more room at the front. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 3 has blue laces, pale-violet stripes, and a lace medallion, a little polish without a loud palette.

 

On The Roger Pro 3 in Brook brings mint blue with a white heel and sole, while New Balance Coco Delray mixes cream and red and pairs its FuelCell midsole with construction suited to a range of court surfaces. I would use his current court socks for a fit check, then make sure there is room at the toes and the heel stays secure. What I would skip: a clay-specific sole for someone who only plays on hard courts, unless he wants a second pair for another surface. His actual court schedule is the better clue.

One early lawn-tennis set included the equipment to mark out the court; his bag should solve the same small problem, keeping a racket safe and the rest easy to find. Wilson's official history dates the company to Chicago in 1914. Its navy US Open 2026 Tour backpack has a padded compartment for two rackets and a slip-in pocket for a laptop or tablet. The Clash 100 V3 racket has cream and chartreuse with red-and-blue tournament accents, a color story that will be easy to spot in a busy bag.

 

HEAD's Speed Pro unstrung is matte black, with an 18-by-20 string pattern and a 100-square-inch head. Call out that it arrives unstrung because a gear-minded player will notice. The HEAD Tour bag has sharp green, two main compartments, CCT+ technology in one, and room for six rackets. The TUMI Tennis Racket Bag is black ballistic nylon with leather-wrapped handles; its split interior holds two rackets and three balls. For a narrower carry, the Away nylon sleeve has an adjustable strap and an exterior zip pocket.

 

I would count how many rackets he brings, then compare that with the bag's compartment layout and the everyday things he carries alongside them. What I would skip: a six-racket bag if he only takes one racket and a towel. The right shape is the one that fits his actual routine, whether that is a tournament-sized haul or a single frame over one shoulder.

The first colored Lacoste polo shirts appeared in 1951, a neat reminder that tennis color can be more than white. I would keep his accessories to one accent at a time, maybe a blue cap with white socks or a white cap against a navy jacket.

 

Nike's Smokey Blue Dri-FIT ADV Club cap has a perforated crown and sweatband, plus an adjustable strap. Casablanca's white Tennis Club Emblem cap uses a colorful badge and canvas construction; the pale-blue BOSS six-panel cotton cap is quieter. RLX Ralph Lauren's white Performance Cap has laser-cut ventilation panels and water-repellent fabric. For wrist and feet, the Wilson Wristband in Bright White/Infrared is a one-size terry cuff, while PALMES Logo Crew Socks arrive as two white cotton pairs made in Portugal. Polo Ralph Lauren Denim Bear socks add heritage patterns and cushioned soles, and Nike Everyday Plus comes as six black-and-white pairs with terry soles and a ribbed arch band.

 

Before choosing, I would check whether his caps have adjustable closures and whether he wears crew socks with court shoes, then keep one accent color consistent. What I would skip: several novelty motifs if his existing kit is monochrome. One cheerful cap, like the Casablanca club emblem, can do the job without making every accessory compete.

Lacoste's tennis-shirt history gives the base layer a movement-minded origin: the brand says short sleeves were chosen to optimize mobility. The extra layer has a different job, keeping his kit pulled together on the walk off court without pretending it belongs in every match.

 

The Nike Court Heritage Jacket gives black a high collar, full zip, relaxed cut, and throwback NikeCourt patch. adidas's black Club Tennis knitted jacket adds white three-stripes at the sleeves and stretchy recycled-material knit. If he prefers a sharper collar, the Lacoste Tennis Heritage Zip Jacket puts navy trim against white and includes an embroidered tennis emblem; its lined stretch knit is moisture-wicking.

 

The K-Swiss Ripstop jacket in zinc has tonal chest stripes, a full zip, and brushed interior. Lacoste's water-repellent tennis-print jacket mixes black, blue, and white with a mesh lining. Sergio Tacchini's Duck Green Quadretto uses diagonal stripes and a color-block panel, while the white BOSS Tennis Toc Spin jacket keeps black piping and zip pockets. Fit test: compare sleeve length and how each shoulder layers over a polo. What I would skip: a water-repellent shell if he already has a warm court layer and rarely walks in wet weather. The black knit may be the one he actually reaches for after practice.

I would build this in the order he uses it: court shoes that match the surface, a bag for his rackets, then a polo or tee in the silhouette he already likes. If he has the major gear covered, the small pieces make an easy add-on, a cap, a wristband, or socks for his next match.

 

After that, I would add one layer with a collar or stripe that feels like him, not a uniform built for a stranger. Wingfield's portable boxed set started with a few pieces to lay out a court; I would keep that same idea, begin with what makes it easier for him to play, and let the rest follow.

 

A few more guides that pair well with this one: Luxury Golf Gifts for Him, Gifts for Men in Their 30s, Luxury Gifts for Men Who Have Everything and Camping Gifts for Men.