Should tennis be played in certain seasons? It's not without reason. On the tennis court, serious accidents such as fractures, bleeding, and concussions are not very common, but muscle strains and sprains are quite ordinary. There are many reasons for these injuries, and the weather is also one of them that cannot be ignored.
- Hot days: Tiring when playing ball
Playing sports on a hot summer day can easily cause dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Dehydration is the most common among these. Hot weather causes the body to sweat profusely, losing large amounts of water and inorganic salts. When the lost body fluid accounts for more than 1% of body weight, it is considered dehydration. For ordinary people, dehydration reaching 3% will lead to a decline in athletic ability and symptoms of heat-related illnesses. For tennis players, 5% dehydration is still normal. However, if the level of dehydration continues to increase and exceeds 7%, it will not only affect the athlete's performance but may even pose a life-threatening danger. Therefore, playing tennis in the scorching summer heat is not very wise. If you must play, timely hydration is the most important safety measure.
- Cold and damp season: Hard work when playing ball
A relatively common occurrence in tennis is muscle strain. There are many reasons for muscle strains, including insufficient or inadequate warm-up exercises, insufficient training levels, poor muscle elasticity and strength, fatigue or excessive load causing a decline in muscle function, and incorrect technical movements, all of which can cause muscle strains. External factors should not be overlooked either; low temperatures or high humidity can also cause muscle strains.
- Suitable temperature: Easy when playing ball
Besides muscle strains, going to play tennis in the cold winter without sufficient preparation exercises greatly increases the chance of experiencing cramps. Cramps are scientifically known as "muscle spasms" and most commonly occur in the calves and soles of the feet, mainly due to excessively high muscle excitability. In freezing winds, muscles affected by low temperatures have increased excitability and are prone to cramping. However, playing tennis on hot days, after intense exercise, the loss of electrolytes through sweat can also lead to cramps. Electrolytes are related to muscle excitability, and excessive loss of electrolytes will also increase muscle excitability. Therefore, to prevent cramps from occurring, it is essential to perform adequate warm-up exercises, pay attention to keeping warm, enhance the body's cold resistance, and replenish electrolytes in time.
When the weather is too hot, it's not suitable to play tennis; when the weather is too cold, it's also inconvenient to play tennis. It seems that the cool and dry autumn is the most suitable time for tennis. "With the help of the heavens, victory is mine!"
In recent years, two issues have been confusing people in the tennis world: Why do American tennis warriors find it hard to win European championships? And why do European players find it difficult to claim the American throne?
It turns out that tennis courts are divided into hard courts and soft courts. Hard courts include grass courts and asphalt courts, while soft courts refer to clay courts. Wimbledon is a grass court tournament, the main No. 1 court at the US Open is an asphalt court, and the French Open is held on a clay court. Competing on a hard court, where the ball bounces well, benefits American-style players who rely on power and speed—those with cannonball serves and fierce volleys. Playing on a soft court, where the ball's bounce is weaker, favors European players accustomed to playing on clay courts—those whose shots land perfectly, with the balls bouncing downward.
The outcome of a tennis match depends not only on individual skills and competitive form but also on timing, location, and harmony among people. Timing, to a certain extent, can become a major factor. A classic example in history where weather played a leading role in determining the winner between American and European players occurred in the early 1930s.
The newly rising American tennis star, Vanes, swept through all the heroes at the Wimbledon Championships, claiming the championship. His victory over France's top player, Koxian, was particularly overwhelming, winning in straight sets. A month later, they met again at the French Open (note: this was not on a grass court but a clay court). The meeting of old foes promised a fierce battle. Most people predicted Vanes would still win. The reasoning was: Vanes was young and had easily defeated Koxian a month ago, his morale was high, and Koxian was already in his twilight years. Indeed, although Vanes didn't play as easily as he did a month ago, he still took the first two sets. In the third set, Vanes initially led, and everyone thought Koxian would surely lose. But "the weather is unpredictable": a cloud suddenly appeared, followed by a sudden downpour... The game was forced to stop. When the rain cleared and the game resumed, the situation on the field suddenly reversed. Vanes' cannonball-like serve and powerful strokes seemed to have lost their effectiveness. Was it the thunderstorm that "scared" away Vanes' fighting spirit? No, what was the reason? Since the competition venue was a clay (soft) court, after the rain, the ball's rebound decreased significantly, making it difficult for Vanes to display his "cannonball" specialty. Conversely, after adjusting his mindset, Koxian stabilized himself and controlled the game with precise drop shots, eventually winning the crucial third set. In the fourth set, Koxian continued to hold the advantage and won again. In the decisive set, the audience believed Koxian could capitalize on his momentum and exact revenge. Unexpectedly, another storm arose on the court: the court dried under the sun, restoring the ball's original speed. Vanes' heavy serve and fierce attacks regained their power, and victory seemed within reach. Alas, fate didn't favor him, and another shower ensued. After the rain, the final showdown saw Koxian, aided by the heavens, regain control with his tricky drop shots and secure the ultimate victory. Truly, "Heaven sent several showers to help, allowing the veteran to make a comeback and restore his honor."
Through this typical example, one can understand how closely related tennis matches, especially clay court matches, are to the weather.
It is said that now, to avoid similar "incidents," the French Open has specially hired over 20 university students who watch the game and provide services on the field. If there is a thunderstorm, these 20+ students immediately cover the tennis court with oilcloths. Once the rain stops, they uncover it, ensuring the game continues on a court that hasn't changed its "quality." This is truly an excellent way to adapt to changing weather conditions.