Tennis is an all-weather, all-season game. And yet in the UK you’ll often come across the perception that it’s a summer sport. Maybe it’s because schools tend to teach tennis in the summer term; perhaps it’s because many major UK tournaments take place in summer.
Whatever the reason, summer is a popular time to play tennis outside. And what a joy that can be.
However, in order to really enjoy the experience, it’s important to take the conditions into account – particularly when temperatures climb. Playing tennis outside in the heat can require some adjustments to keep everyone safe and happy, particularly if you’re used to the usually cool UK climate.
Our tips will help you make the most of an outdoor game of tennis when the heat is on.
1. Choose your timings carefully
If possible, book your court for times of the day when the temperature is at its coolest, relatively speaking. The heat is usually less intense in the early morning and later in the evening.
2. Monitor the weather forecast – and yourself
It sounds obvious, but if a real scorcher is on the cards, it’s good to have advance warning so that you don’t show up unprepared, so watch the weather forecast in summer.
As a general rule, exercise caution when the temperature is set to hit 80 degrees C and over. That’s particularly true when the humidity is also high, as it’s harder for sweat to evaporate, meaning your in-built cooling system will struggle to cope.
If it’s over 90 degrees C, consider taking your game indoors.
Heat tolerance can be individual, depending on factors such as the temperatures you’re used to and your overall fitness. As well as keeping an eye on the weather forecast, keep an eye on yourself – and your fellow players – during the match. If anyone starts to show any signs of overheating, such as dizziness, nausea or muscle weakness, stop what you’re doing and cool down immediately.
3. Conserve energy between changeovers
Don’t rush when you’re not actually playing, for example, during changeovers or retrieving a ball. Simply being in high temperatures means your body has to work harder; add in cardio exercise in hot weather like tennis and you can put extra strain on your system, so conserve energy where possible.
4. Bring some cooling options
Make sure you have plenty of kit on hand to help you cool down. We’re talking cooling spray, wrapped ice packs and frozen towels.
5. Keep hydrated
Staying hydrated is absolutely key to thriving and surviving in hot weather. Start drinking water before the match, so that you show up well hydrated, and then keep drinking as you play to make up for water lost through sweat. When it’s very hot, sports drinks with electrolytes can help you replace the salt lost through sweating.
6. Choose smart fabrics
Your clothing can a big difference to your comfort when you’re playing tennis in the heat. Look for fabrics that are sweat-wicking and breathable – it’s unlikely to enhance your game to have a sweat-soaked cotton t-shirt clinging to your torso.
7. Consider your accessories
Speaking of comfort, you might consider wearing a hat or visor in summer to keep the sun out of your eyes. Some tennis-specific headgear comes with special tech to keep sweat away.
Of course, not everyone feels comfortable playing tennis in a hat, so to prevent sweat running into your eyes, you might choose a headband or bandana instead. Wristbands can be a good option, too, if you’re worried about sweat messing with your grip.
For extra hot-weather ease – and to prevent blisters – you could also invest in some tennis-specific socks with moisture-reducing properties.
8. Don’t forget your towel
A towel is another important tool in your sweat-busting kit, letting you mop up perspiration from your face and hands.
9. Apply sunscreen before you play
Look out for a sweat-resistant formulation and apply it 30 mins before going out. Keep applying your sunscreen during breaks in play – after all, you want the match to be memorable for how well you played, not for how long it took for your sunburn to ease off.
At David Lloyd Clubs, we have indoor and outdoor tennis courts and tennis domes. That means the weather never needs to spoil play for our members!
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