If you enjoy playing tennis and want to keep up your game all year long, you may need to make some adjustments while playing in the winter. Colder temperatures can affect your performance and even put you at risk for illness, so it’s essential to find ways to stay warm and comfortable while on the court. In this article, we’ll explore tips for staying warm while playing tennis in the winter.
Equipment Tips
Did you know that cold weather can affect your racquet and the pressure in your tennis balls? Consider using a slightly heavier racquet to minimize the effect of wind resistance on your shots and restringing your racquet at a lower tension or with a softer string. You should also make sure your racquet has a good grip so that your racquet doesn’t slip out of your hands too easily. Keep your tennis balls in the house in the winter since the cold air makes the air inside the balls contract, making them feel “dead.” You can also switch to pressureless balls for the winter for practice. These balls are sold in bags instead of pressurized cans, and they get their bounce from the rubber material rather than compressed air. They aren’t appropriate for competitive matches since they don’t have the same bounce as pressurized balls, but they work well for practice or recreational play.
Clothing Tips
Dress in Layers The key to staying warm in cold weather is layering your clothing. Layers allow you to adjust your clothing as your body temperature changes or if the outside temperature changes. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep sweat away from your skin, which will help regulate your body temperature. This includes leggings or tights. Add an insulating layer, such as a fleece or merino wool, to trap heat. Avoid cotton if possible. Finish with a wind- and water-resistant outer layer to protect yourself from the elements.
Use Compression Gear Compression gear like sleeves, leggings, or socks, can provide added support to your muscles. They increase blood flow, reduce the risk of injury, and keep your muscles warm.
Wear Accessories Tennis gloves can make a huge difference when temperatures drop. While some argue that wearing gloves doesn’t allow you to grip your racquet well, it’s even harder to play with frozen fingers. Look for gloves that are thin enough to grip and control your racquet but are warm enough to protect your hands from the cold. They come in regular and fingerless versions. You can also keep hand warmers in your pockets to warm you up between points and during changeovers.
Since you lose up to 40% of your body heat through your head, wear a beanie to keep your head and ears warm, and if your jacket doesn’t cover your neck, you can consider wearing a neck gaiter as well. Furthermore, while sunglasses don’t help with the cold, the winter sun is lower in the sky, so they may help you see the ball better while playing.
Invest in Cold-weather Footwear Wearing warm socks made of a synthetic blend or merino wool will help keep your feet warm in the winter. As mentioned previously, cotton is unsuitable for the winter since if you sweat, the moisture takes a long time to dry out and causes the material to lose its insulating properties. You can always double up your socks if it’s extremely cold, and you can even invest in insulated tennis shoes.
Playing Tips
Warm Up Properly Before you even arrive at the courts, try to stay warm in a heated vehicle. Once you’re at the courts, it’s important to do dynamic stretches and cardio to get your blood flowing so you don’t pull cold muscles. For some suggested stretches, check out this article.
Adapt Your Game If you’re playing with balls that have less bounce because of the cold, use drop shots, slices, and flat or slice serves, which are all difficult to return when the ball bounces low. In the winter, the wind can also have a big effect on your game. Either shorten your strokes or use extra spin in the wind to make your shots more reliable. Since the wind makes balls move erratically, play high-percentage shots to ensure the ball doesn’t land out of bounds.
Stay Active Between Games and Points During changeovers, if you’re at a club, try to take breaks indoors. If that’s not an option, keep changeovers short, and avoid sitting. If you’re not playing with a jacket on, put it on during a changeover to keep you warm when you’re not actively running around the court.
Between points, keep moving by jogging or bouncing on your toes because staying still for too long can cause your muscles to cool down. Not only does staying active help you maintain your body heat, but it will prevent injuries as well.
Hydrate Even though you may not be as hot and sweaty while playing tennis in the winter, you still need to drink plenty of water during changeovers. Cold air can be deceptively dehydrating, so make sure to drink water to keep your energy up.
Cool Down Properly When your match is over, it may be tempting to get inside as soon as possible, but do some stretches before calling it a day. Just as it’s important to warm up before your match, it’s important to cool down with some post-game recovery exercises to prevent muscle stiffness.
Conclusion
The arrival of winter doesn’t mean the end of your tennis season. By layering up, using the right equipment, and staying active on the court, you can still enjoy playing tennis throughout the colder months. There’s no need to stay off the court this winter!
