Caught the tennis bug? Here's how to bring the Australian Open-style competition into your home
The Australian Open has finally arrived and we are ready for a thrilling competition. Our favourite tennis stars are getting their game on and we're right behind them.
If watching tennis isn't enough, how about playing it in your own home or backyard? We've done the searching and found everything you need to hold your own mini AO, with tennis balls, ping pong accessories and even some video games.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at the time of writing.
Champion Sports Tetherball Totem Tennis Set
Totem tennis is a backyard family classic – instead of needing a huge court to get your game on, you just need a small patch of grass. The set comes with a two-piece metal pole, attachable tennis ball, and two paddles. It's simple to assemble and can turn a small household competition into a full-on family tournament for all ages.
READ MORE: The kid-approved toys for every budget
JOOLA Retractable Ping Pong Net
Table tennis or ping pong is a universally-loved game, but getting your own table can be expensive, hard to keep clean and maintain as well as bulky and difficult to store. Instead, having a retractable ping pong net will turn any table into a table tennis 'court', and makes it easier to store when not playing. This net from JOOLA can clamp onto any table up to 4.45cm and can expand up to 1.75 metres – that's longer than a standard ping pong table.
ViaHart Surfminton Classic Beach Tennis Wooden Paddle Set
It's summer Down Under, so we've got to make the most of the glorious weather and beautiful beaches. While you might need to step away from watching the AO, you can bring the same energy to your local beach or park with this paddle set, including four balls and two water-resistant wooden racquets.
READ MORE: The handy beach essentials worth packing this summer
Decathlon All-Round Table Tennis Bats
You can't play table tennis without the bats. Get yourself a pair here and let the games begin.
Decathlon Table Tennis Balls, six pack
Table tennis balls are pretty small and regularly get lost – it's not uncommon to be searching the backyard or garage and finding one you haven't seen in years. Have a few back-ups ready to use with this six pack of Decathlon balls.
Wilson US Open Jr Tennis Racquet for Kids and Wilson Tour Slam Adult Strung Tennis Racquet
If you want to play like a pro, you need the equipment of a pro, and not much beats Wilson tennis racquets. Get yourself and your kids a racquet to really get the competition underway.
Wilson Pressureless Practice Tennis Balls, 18 pack
If you're still in the amateur stage of tennis playing, having a few spare balls handy for accidental hits across the fence or on the roof might be a good idea. Get yourself started with 18 Wilson tennis balls.
iPong Table Tennis Training Robot
When the competitors are away, the ping pong player must train! You no longer have to be your own opponent when you have this iPong Table Tennis Training Robot. You can set it to different training modes to practice different skills, shots and your reaction times as well as adjust the shooting speed. It also comes with 80 ping pong balls.
Nintendo Switch Tennis Games
Sometimes you just can't drag a gamer away from their console. Instead of prying the controllers out of their hands, why not bring the tennis comp to them with these tennis games: Instant Sport Tennis, Matchpoint and AO Tennis 2. They are all compatible with the Nintendo Switch.
READ MORE: The best video game releases that we can't stop playing
Tennis Racquet for Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Controllers
While you're playing these video games, you can add an extra bit of realism and true tennis flair with these racquet joy-con controller grips.
Tennis Log Book
Once it's all done, and the winners have finally finished their victory lap of the lounge room, you can really nail down what you did right and wrong for your next family comp, or even if you want to take up tennis as a hobby. This log book helps you detail everything you learnt in your games and training sessions as well as having maps and templates of the tennis court to better improve your strategy for the next game. You'll really show them who's the best when the next competition rolls around.
Looking for Australian Open Merch? We've got some of the best on offer:
Dunlop Australian Open Tennis 4-Ball Can
Australian Open Tennis Stubby Holders
Australian Open Tennis Squishy Balls
Australian Open Tennis Pink Drink Bottle
Australian Open Tennis Tournament Quick Drying Sport Towel
Australian Open Tennis Beach Towel
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