Can You Play Tennis With Prescription Glasses?

Can you wear prescription glasses while you play tennis? The short answer: Yes! Vision does not have to be the obstacle that comes between you and your game. The key to wearing prescription tennis glasses on the court is to use performance eyewear designed specifically for your sport.

How do I Choose the Best Prescription Glasses for Tennis?

Lenses

When you’re throwing the ball up in the air to serve or playing in direct sunlight, UV protection is essential. Impact-resistant lenses are key for keeping your eyes protected while you get after it on the court. It doesn’t happen often, but having a shatter-resistant lens can make all the difference if the ball comes in contact with your face.

Most sports frames have polycarbonate lenses. These lenses are impact-resistant, which is great for protecting against fast-moving objects. They’re also scratch-resistant and have built-in UV protection, which is necessary for outdoor sports.

Grip

Nose grip is the secret to keeping your glasses centered and secure on your face during intense activity, and grip on the temples is even better. As a tennis player, you are constantly in motion. When you're tracking the ball and moving all around the court, the last thing you want to think about is keeping your glasses in place. With the fast pace of tennis, you need a pair of frames that won’t slip down your face while you move to stay focused on the game—not your eyewear.

Frames

In addition to grip, a semi-rimless design can also be a huge benefit. Wrap-style frames can help protect your eyes from the sun, wind, or dust entering through the sides of your glasses when you're in the thick of the game. The rimless design at the bottom of the frame provides an open field of view, so you can clearly track the ball off its bounce. Wrap-around sports frames follow the natural curve of your face to give you clear vision and coverage from all angles. This is especially beneficial when your sport involves tracking a ball from all directions—like tennis!

Tennis Players Who Wear Glasses

The pros know that prescription tennis glasses help you perform at your best. Here are some tennis pros who rock prescription eyewear on the court.

Billie Jean King

King started wearing glasses when she was 13. At times, she endured doubts from people who told her she couldn’t succeed because she wore glasses. Of course, she didn't listen and became a tennis champ. Now she has embraced her glasses and loves to show them off as accessories. She is shown here wearing Transition lenses, which are clear lenses that darken with UV exposure.

Martina Navratilova

Martina didn’t immediately realize she needed glasses, until she kept missing shots and losing matches. Once she put on her famous aviator-style glasses, the courts were no longer dark and each shot was crystal clear in her sight. She attributes her tournament victory, and her clear vision, to her glasses.

Chung Hyeon

Korean tennis champ Chung Hyeon is a more recent example of famous tennis players who wear glasses. A bit of a fashion icon in Korea, when Hyeon wears clothes and accessories to tournaments, customers rush to mimic his style. Hyeon always had poor eyesight, having had astigmatism since he was a child. His glasses are especially important on the court, where he wears his white Oakley Flak Betas for every match.

Get Prescription Tennis Glasses at SportRx

Need prescription tennis glasses? Look no further than SportRx! Our friendly, knowledgeable Sports Opticians are ready and eager to help you build the perfect pair for your tastes and vision needs. Contact us to get started.

Your tennis glasses order is also backed by our See Better Guarantee. Try your tennis eyewear for 45 days and if you’re not totally satisfied, simply send it back. You can get a full refund, exchange, or credit towards a better pair. We even cover domestic ground shipping! Get your prescription tennis glasses at SportRx today.