How to Enjoy Playing Tennis in the Heat

Summer tennis can be brutal.

The scorching court surface, relentless sun, and soaring temperatures challenge even the most experienced players.

It’s important to focus on staying hydrated and taking breaks. But you’ve also got to know how heat affects your equipment, since your strings, racket, and grip perform differently when temperatures climb.

Knowing how to adapt can make the difference between winning and wilting on court.

Here's how to prepare your body and adjust your equipment to actually enjoy your tennis in extreme heat.

Managing Your Body in Hot Weather

Pre-Match Preparation

Your body needs time to adjust to playing in the heat.

Start with shorter practice sessions and gradually build your tolerance over several days. Schedule matches during cooler morning or evening hours when possible.

Begin hydrating 24 hours before your match and drink water before you feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine beforehand as they accelerate dehydration.

Apply sunscreen generously and reapply during breaks. Spend time in air conditioning before heading to court to pre-cool your core temperature.

Wear protective clothing like hats and UV-resistant fabrics to shield yourself from direct sun exposure.

During-Match Management

Take longer breaks between points and games to allow your body temperature to stabilize. Use changeovers strategically for active cooling with ice towels or cold drinks.

Adjust your playing style to focus on shorter points that minimize physical exertion. Move efficiently and avoid unnecessary running to conserve energy.

Watch for heat exhaustion symptoms like dizziness, nausea, headaches, or excessive sweating. Know when to stop playing rather than risk serious health issues.

Post-Match Recovery

Continue hydrating with electrolyte replacement for hours after your match ends. Your body needs time to fully recover from heat stress.

Move to a cool, shaded environment immediately after finishing. Take a cool shower or bath to help lower your core body temperature.

Monitor yourself for delayed heat-related symptoms in the hours following play.

Managing Your Equipment for Heat

Strings

Higher temperatures make strings more elastic, which reduces your control and increases unwanted string movement during impact.

Combat this by stringing your racket 2-3 pounds higher during summer months. This compensates for the heat-induced elasticity and helps maintain your normal feel.

Heat also accelerates tension loss and creates faster notching patterns. Your strings literally wear out quicker when temperatures rise.

String material makes a significant difference in hot weather performance.

Polyester strings like Zero maintain more consistent performance in heat compared to natural gut or nylon.

This happens because polyester has a more stable molecular structure that resists the expansion and contraction that causes performance changes in other string materials.

Grips

Your grip can become a real problem in hot, humid conditions.

Choose dry, moisture-wicking grips that maintain tackiness even when your hands sweat profusely.

ReString co-founder Nick relies on these specialized grips during Japan's steaming hot summers, where humidity can make standard grips completely unusable.

Consider switching to a thicker grip during the summer months. The additional cushioning helps prevent blisters that form more easily when your hands sweat excessively.

Use your towel strategically throughout the match. Dry your hands and grip regularly to maintain control and comfort.

Pack extra grips in your bag for longer matches or tournaments. Being able to change to a fresh grip is vital when you feel those blisters start to set in.

Conclusion

Playing tennis in the heat requires more than just drinking water and taking breaks.

Understanding how temperature affects your equipment gives you a significant competitive advantage.

Your strings lose tension faster and become more elastic in heat, requiring higher initial tension and heat-resistant materials.

Your grip needs to handle moisture and provide a consistent feel throughout long matches.

By adjusting your equipment alongside your physical preparation, you can keep playing your best tennis and actually enjoy your game even when temperatures soar.

About the Author: Juan is the co-founder of ReString. He was born in Argentina, raised in Japan, and moved to the US to pursue college tennis. He now plays as an ATP & WTA hitting partner.