How to Choose Equipment for Tennis Photography

If, like me, you spend hours on the courts, you know one thing: in tennis, everything happens fast. The ball flies at nearly 200 km/h, players move like lightning, and emotions — from triumph to frustration — flash in fractions of a second. You must catch it all. That takes not only instinct but also the right equipment.

Over the years of shooting at tournaments, I’ve tried many cameras and lenses. In this post, I’ll share how to choose the gear that helps you never miss a moment. I’ll talk about cameras, lenses, and accessories — with a focus on 2025, when the market offers increasingly advanced models. I personally shoot Nikon and don’t regret it — fast and reliable. But many colleagues use Canon, while Asian photographers often prefer Sony for their constant innovation.

Photographers at Roland Garros

Cameras

Let’s start with the foundation — the camera.For sports photography, you need a model with fast autofocus (the system that automatically focuses on your subject), high burst speed (at least 10–20 frames per second, to capture the perfect split-second), and good performance at high ISO (sensor sensitivity to light — the higher, the better for dark conditions, though it can introduce “noise”).

In 2025, mirrorless systems remain the leaders, though good old DSLRs are still around.For Nikon, the top choice is the Z9 — 45 MP, 20 fps without blackout (that short dark flicker in the viewfinder — mirrorless cameras don’t have it) and excellent stabilization (to reduce hand shake). Alternatives include the Z8, more compact but with similar performance, or the Z6 III for smaller budgets.

Canon users love the EOS R5 Mark II (45 MP, 30 fps), the R3, or the R6 Mark II — all great for sports.Asian photographers often choose Sony A9 III with its global shutter (which eliminates distortion in fast motion) and 120 fps in lower resolutions, or the A7 IV for a good photo-video balance.

I personally stick with Nikon — fast, reliable, and built for professionals.

Flagship cameras — Nikon Z9, Canon EOS R5 II, Sony Alpha 9 III

Lenses

For tennis, a telephoto zoom is essential — you’re not always in the front row, and a close-up of Nadal or Medvedev requires reach.The classic is the 70–200mm f/2.8 — versatile, with beautiful bokeh (the blurred background that isolates your subject). I often use the Nikon Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S for baseline emotions.

For longer distances, 200–500mm or 200–600mm lenses are perfect — for example, Canon RF 100–500mm f/4.5–7.1L IS USM, Sony FE 200–600mm f/5.6–6.3 G OSS, or Nikon Z 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6 VR S. These give great zoom without quality loss — ideal for big open arenas like the Australian Open.

If you prefer primes (fixed focal length lenses with superior image quality), 300mm or 400mm f/2.8 is a great choice — superb detail but heavy. For example, Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S with a built-in teleconverter.

A budget option is Sigma 150–600mm f/5–6.3, available for most systems.

Key tips:Look for image stabilization (VR for Nikon, IS for Canon, OS for Sigma) and fast autofocus (AF-S/AF-P for Nikon, USM for Canon, HSM for Sigma).

And don’t forget weather: at the Australian Open, the sun can be brutal — gear can overheat, especially black bodies. Always use protection.

Accessories

Accessories are lifesavers on court.

A monopod is a must for stability with heavy lenses — especially in long matches.A rainproof bag or backpack is essential (Wimbledon is full of surprises).Always carry spare batteries and memory cards — I shoot 3000–4000 frames a day at Slams.

As for lighting — you won’t need a flash, except during the trophy ceremony.However, ND filters (Neutral Density) are helpful to reduce light for wide apertures or longer exposures under bright sun.

Typical settings:

• Shutter speed: 1/2000+ sec (to freeze motion)

• Aperture: f/2.8–5.6 (controls depth of field and light)

• ISO: around 400, adjusted for lighting (drop to 100–200 in bright sun)

Experiment with angles: side-on for action, baseline with telephoto for portraits.

In the end, gear is just a tool — success comes from preparation. My first Australian Open in 2017 taught me one thing: bring what you know like the back of your hand. Start at local tournaments, test yourself, and over time, you’ll find your setup.

In the next post, I’ll share how the most spectacular shots are made — and why photographers sometimes battle for the best spots.

If you have questions — drop them in the comments!