Last update on 2024-04-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
As smartwatches have risen in popularity in recent years, Garmin and other smartwatch manufacturers have started to integrate more sensors and features into their watches to meet the particular needs of different sports.
Now, as a tennis player, you’re probably wondering which Garmin watch can measure specific tennis metrics and help you boost your performance.
Read on to find out which features a tennis smartwatch should have and discover three popular Garmin watches for this sport.
Does Garmin Track Tennis?
Garmin smartwatches track metrics that are useful for many sports, including tennis. However, unlike sports like golf, triathlon and swimming, Garmin still hasn’t introduced watches with dedicated built-in activity profiles for tennis.
Having said that, Garmin watches can measure a wide variety of metrics and offer performance improvements that are more than enough for tennis players.
An important fact is to realize that, as a company focusing on fitness in its designs, Garmin tracks a variety of specialized metrics like heart-rate variance, stride length, and ground contact time.
Garmin also offers Garmin Coach, which gives you unique training plans from expert coaches and free adaptable plans.
Another essential feature in Garmin watches is a recovery time advisor. This feature gives you an estimated recovery plan based on your workout’s intensity and duration as well as your level of stress, sleep, and daily activity.
With advanced performance analytics, Garmin calculates your productivity level, your expected level of performance, and the effect of heat and altitude on your performance.
Garmin also has an online fitness community, where you can share your activities and achievements, receive feedback and motivation, and download custom workouts for free.
What To Look For When Buying a Watch for Tennis?
When buying a watch for tennis, you should look for one that’s comfortable, measures the right metrics (e.g., heart rate and serve speed), analyzes your performance, and tells you how you can improve.
Read on to learn more.
Comfort
In a sport like tennis, where you move a lot, a heavy, bulky watch is likely to have a negative effect on your performance. So, go for smaller, lighter options that match your wrist size and give you freedom of movement.
Metrics
First, you should consider which metrics you want to measure. Almost all watches can measure your heart rate, number of steps, and calories burned. But you may also want to know specific tennis metrics, like your serve speed.
Performance
A good watch analyzes your performance with the data it collects and then gives you tips to enhance your performance and speed up your recovery.
Plus, the watch’s accompanying app should give you information about your strengths and weaknesses.
Another helpful feature would be recording match scores so that you don’t have to remember the scores or keep separate scores.
Features
Other than these, you should also consider the watch’s overall features. Most importantly, pay attention to battery life and recharge speed as they affect your experience. You don’t want a watch that needs to be recharged three times a day!
Another critical issue for many people is whether their watch can store music tracks locally so that they can listen to music without their phones.
If you’re also a runner, you may want a watch with stand-alone GPS, which isn’t necessary for tennis. Alternatively, you may want a waterproof watch that you can take to the swimming pool.
Finally, you should consider the price and make tradeoffs based on your budget.
3 Best Garmin Watches for Tennis
Now that you know what to look for, let’s compare three popular Garmin watches that we think are a better fit for tennis.
| Forerunner 245 | Forerunner 35 | Forerunner 935 | |
| Screen Size and Resolution | 1.2″ (240 x 240 pixels) | 1” (128 x 128 pixels) | 1.2″ (240 x 240 pixels) |
| Weight | 38.5g | 37.3 | 49g |
| Battery Life | Seven days in smartwatch mode, 24 hours in GPS mode | Nine days in smartwatch mode, 13 hours in GPS mode | Two weeks in watch mode, 24 hours in GPS mode |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Garmin Forerunner 245
- GPS running smartwatch with advanced training features
- Evaluates your current training status to indicate if you’re undertraining or overdoing it; offers additional performance monitoring features
- Get free adaptive training plans from Garmin Coach, or create your own custom workouts on our Garmin Connect online fitness community
Last update on 2024-04-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Garmin Forerunner 245 is our top choice because it packs all the necessary features at a mid-range price.
During sports activities, it’s almost inevitable that something hits your watch. With Forerunner 245 and its damage-resistant glass, you don’t have to worry about that.
Garmin also offers Forerunner 245 Music, letting you download 500 songs and listen to your playlists from Spotify, Deezer, or Amazon.
Pros
- Gorilla Glass 3 screen protection
- Activity reporting
- Automatic synchronization with a smartphone
- High level of customization
Cons
- Not very user-friendly
- Lacks advanced sensors
What Do the Reviews Say?
Most reviews mention durability, accuracy in measurement, stylish design, and good feel as positive aspects of this watch.
On the other hand, a common complaint about the Forerunner 245 is that for someone with no experience using Garmin watches, navigation and accessing various features is pretty hard in the beginning. And the owner’s manual doesn’t help much.
Garmin Forerunner 35
- Easy-to use GPS running watch tracks how far, how fast and where you run.Special Feature:Bluetooth.Water Resistant: Yes
- Estimates heart rate at the wrist, all day and night, using Garmin elevate wrist heart rate technology
- Connected features: Smart notifications, automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, live tracking and music controls (when paired with a compatible smartphone)
Last update on 2024-03-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re looking for a low-cost light watch with basic features, Garmin Forerunner 35 is most likely your best bet.
The Forerunner 35 has a rectangular screen, making it distinct from many Garmin watches, including the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 935.
Pros
- Relatively light
- Affordable price
- Very simple to use
Cons
- Relatively smaller screen
- No color display
- Lacks some handy features
What Do the Reviews Say?
Customer reviews mention that Forerunner 35 doesn’t provide enough customizability. Some also say that it isn’t a good choice for professional athletes. Design and style are also other points, and apparently, Forerunner 35 hasn’t satisfied some peoples’ tastes.
But, overall, most reviewers find it one of the best choices compared to its price.
Garmin Forerunner 935
- Premium GPS running/triathlon watch with wrist based heart rate; Strap material: Silicone; Smartphone compatibility: iPhone, Android, Windows.Control...
- Offers advanced running and multisport Features in a comfortable watch you can wear all day, and it only weighs 49 grams
- Provides elevation changes with a built in barometer; altimeter and electronic compass help you keep your bearings
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Garmin Forerunner 935 is a good choice for users who want a relatively light watch with more sensors and advanced features but don’t want to spend too much.
This watch supports Wi-Fi, has a gyroscope and a barometer, and monitors perspiration. So, you can obtain an endless stream of data about your performance and identify what you need to improve.
Pros
- Excellent battery
- Multi-sport mode
- Advanced sensors and features
Cons
- A little heavy
- A little pricey
What Do the Reviews Say?
Reviews mention that Forerunner 935 is a good option for both professionals and amateurs. People are also delighted with the battery life and recharge speed.
Some Amazon reviews have said that they have received a non-US version of this watch, which has caused them some issues with updates.
Final Thoughts
When picking a smartwatch for tennis, it’s essential to consider your needs, taste, and budget. If you think basic features are enough and don’t care that much about style, Forerunner 35 is the one for you.
If you’re looking for more advanced features and willing to pay a little more, Forerunner 935, with its more stylish look and better materials, could be your choice.
Forerunner 245 is the most budget-friendly option and stands somewhere between the other two.
