The best sunglasses for playing tennis

Tennis has always been among the world’s most popular sports—but thanks to recent film sensations like Zendaya’s Challengers, it’s currently experiencing a resurgence. The Tennis channel’s viewership increased by 21% last year, and it rose by an additional 27% by May 2024 alone. 

However, more people aren’t just watching tennis—they’re playing it, too. According to the US Tennis Association, a whopping 24 million people currently partake in the sport, and 2024 is the fourth consecutive year this population has increased. If you’re one of them, you probably have all the essentials you need, from clothes and shoes to your racket and ball. But do you have sunglasses?

You should probably consider getting a pair if you don’t. A 2023 study published in The Physician and Sportsmedicine reveals that 93% of those who play racket sports—but don’t wear protective eyewear—incur eye injuries. These can come from sun damage, the ball physically hitting your face, and even the dust of outdoor courts irritating your eyes, which is why you want to choose your sunglasses carefully. 

Are you wondering which ones can stand up to the challenge? Read on for a list of some of the best tennis sunglasses to get you started. 

Oakley QNTM KATO 

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Oakley is known for its outlandish sunglasses styles, and professional athletes love them. One memorable example is its Over The Top frames. Quite literally designed to be worn over the top of the head, it helped sprinter Ato Boldon make waves when he donned them on the track at Sydney in 2000. The QNTM KATO is no different. Debuted by multiple Olympians at Paris 2024, the model stood out for its tennis ball-yellow lenses. Aside from the fact that these frames would easily fit into Novak Djokovik’s wardrobe—after all, the tennis legend is known for wearing exceptionally vibrant pieces, so he’s always looking stylish on the court—its color isn’t the only reason the QNTM KATO makes for great tennis sunglasses. That’s because Oakley’s infused these show-stopping lenses with multiple technologies meant to improve your vision as you play. That includes Prizm, which enhances color contrast so you can more easily see the court, as well as high-definition optics to maintain visual clarity without the model’s wide lenses distorting your eyesight. Of course, these new sports sunglasses also come with polarized lens coatings as standard, which further blocks out the sun’s glare so you can see clearly even if you’re playing in bright outdoor conditions. All these things can help you more quickly react to your opponent and environment, helping you avoid eye injuries. 

Foster Grant IRONMAN Principle

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If you’re like tennis prodigy Jannik Sinner, you may need corrective aids like glasses or contact lenses just to see the ball. However, they’re often not suited for sports like tennis. For example, the study mentioned above adds that donning eyewear that isn’t specifically designed for racket sports can actually make potential eye injuries more severe. Meanwhile, dirt and debris from the court can easily get trapped under contacts and lead to infections. That’s why you may want to get prescription sunglasses from Foster Grant. The brand is well-known for providing convenient options for glasses wearers. Its catalog already includes SunReaders—a range of UV sunglasses that act like reading glasses—as well as clip-on sunglasses for everyday wear. However, it also offers sports options that come with prescription lenses, which is why you may want to consider getting the IRONMAN Principle. Despite their sleek and slim design, these are RX-compatible frames that are wide enough to provide the necessary protection from the sun, debris, and errant tennis balls—while simultaneously providing vision correction. With tennis sunglasses like these, you don’t need to worry about your need for glasses or contact lenses getting in the way of your game. 

Bollé Bolt

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If you want sunglasses that are guaranteed to last multiple tennis matches in the years to come, look no further than the Bollé Bolt. This model comes from Bollé Eyewear, a leading brand that’s known for making safety glasses that use sustainable materials without compromising on durability. It brings that longevity to its range of sports eyewear, and that’s why you just might find the Bolt perfect for wearing on the court. It boasts frames made of nylon, an exceptionally hardy material with a high tensile strength that gives it impact-resistant qualities. On top of that, its lenses use anti-scratch coatings so you can take advantage of these sunglasses for longer, even if they’ve taken beatings on multiple occasions. That’s not to mention the other features it has to offer that are perfect for ensuring eye protection while playing tennis. In particular, the Bollé Bolt is water-repellent and uses Thermogrip technology that tightens the pair’s fit on your face when it comes into contact with moisture. That means you can put these sunglasses on your face—and they’ll stay there. As a result, they’ll provide continuous eye protection without breaking, even when you get sweaty.