By Jon Levey, Senior Gear Editor for TENNIS

Here’s a round-up of some of our favorite racquets, shoes, and accessories to hit the tennis scene this year. (Click on links for a closer look at the product.)

Best Update to a Racquet Line: Wilson [K] Blade 98
The [K] Blade 98 is an extremely playable racquet that appeals to a wide range of players. It’s light and maneuverable enough for intermediate players looking for better control, yet it has sufficient heft and stability for advanced players seeking extra pop. When we tried out this frame, our testers were particularly impressed with the wide array of shots they could hit more easily with the Blade. At 11.3 ounces, it is also a good weight for players who like to customize their frames.
($210, wilson.com)  

Best Team Racquet: Prince O3 Speedport Black Team
When associated with a racquet, the word “team” can be considered a four-letter word. Team racquets are generally designed to be lighter, more user-friendly versions of advanced frames, but often they play like poor imitations. Prince, however, has set the standard in this category with the O3 Speedport Black Team. It’s lighter than the standard Black, but its weight is well distributed throughout the frame so the racquet doesn’t feel flimsy. There is still plenty of stability and pop for advanced players looking to cut weight from a frame or for competitive juniors who are not quite ready to step up to one.
($220, princetennis.com)  

Best All-Around Shoe: New Balance 1003
They’re well-cushioned, light on the feet, and feel broken-in right out of the box. The New Balance 1003 shoes even have enough support and stability to hold up during intense play. And like most of New Balance’s offerings, the 1003s come in a variety of widths, which is good news for players who need a roomy forefoot or suffer from bunions. Add it all up and it’s hardly surprising that our playtesters were enamored with these shoes.
($115, newbalance.com)

Best Game Day Shoes: Babolat Propulse & Nike Air Max Breathe Cage II
Neither of these will blow you away in terms of comfort; they’re not the types you would want to wear too often off the court. But they are hard to beat in terms of providing a low-to-the-ground ride for responsive movement. Both shoes have a tongue-less design and a snug sock-like fit. That may be too constraining for some, but the feeling of stability and security is undeniable.
(Propulse: $109 (men’s), $104 (women’s), babolat.com)
(Air Max Breathe Cage II: $115, nike.com)  

Best Throwback Shoe: K-Swiss Ultra-Natural Tennis
There are no flashy support cages on the soft leather upper, or shock absorbers in the heel of the Ultra-Natural. If anything, these K-Swiss kicks look more like the classic Adidas Stan Smith or Rod Laver shoes. When you strip away all the extras, what’s left is a lightweight model that provides a very smooth ride. Granted, the Ultra-Natural isn’t meant for serious players who tend to trash their shoes. But casual, recreational players would be be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable pair.
($80, kswiss.com)  

Most Stylish Racquet Bag: [K] Pro Tour – Super Six
Many of the pro players who use the Wilson [K] Blade racquet, including Tour-wielding Novak Djokovic, carry their equipment in this black and gold over-the-shoulder bag. It holds six racquets easily, and is loaded with compartments, including a MoistureGuard section to keep your stuff from getting wet. There’s even a removable waterproof bag for dirty clothes or shoes. But what makes the Super Six such an eye-catching accessory is the glossy patent leather-like finish that covers much of it. If =you like to make a statement when you walk on the court, this bag will help your cause.
($60, wilson.com)

Best Tennis-Inspired Gift: New Jammies
Need a holiday gift for a niece, nephew, or grandchild? Pick out some PJs for the budding Grand Slam champ in your life. The tennis graphics motivate the kiddo to pick up a racquet, and the jammies also come with a bedtime book that explains the fun and benefits of participating in sports. The pajamas are made from 100% natural organic cotton.
(Snugfit jammies (12 months to size 6), $35. Footsies (newborn to 12 months), $28, newjammies.com)

Best Collector’s Item: The Open Book – Celebrating 40 Years of America’s Grand Slam
This book captures the signature moments from the U.S. Open, from its modest start at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, to the major sporting spectacle it has become in its current home in Flushing Meadows. Through pictures and prose, including contributions by Bud Collins, Billie Jean King, and TENNIS’ Pete Bodo, the personalities of the past 40 years come alive on the page. The volume comes with a DVD that pays tribute to the 15 players enshrined in the tournament’s Court of Champions. Tennis history buffs and fans of the Open will certainly want to add this hardcover to their bookshelves. (For a look at some of the images in the book, click on the link above.)
($35, triumphbooks.com)

Best Time-Waster: Wimbledon – The 2008 Men’s Final DVD
Was it the greatest match of all-time? That’s debatable. What’s not in question is that the level of play in this year’s men’s Wimbledon final was astounding. With this video, you can relive all the drama and brilliant shotmaking in Rafael Nadal’s five-set victory over Roger Federer, minus the irritating rain delays. If you ever find yourself struggling for inspiration, pop in the DVD of this instant classic, and enjoy seeing tennis played at its best.
($25, kultur.com)