Best Ways to Beat the Heat on the Tennis Court

Most of us can’t wait for the days to warm up each year so that we can get back on the court and play the sport we love, but as spring turns into summer, the brutal heat of the sun can present its own set of challenges to our game. In fact, however hot the temperature is outside, it can be up to 10 degrees warmer on the court because most hard court surfaces absorb and retain heat while it slowly radiates back up throughout the day. At Tennis Warehouse, we don’t want the weather to keep you from your game, so we carry everything you need to beat the heat on match day.

One of the most important keys for unlocking optimal comfort on hot court days is wearing the right clothing. Tank tops can offer varying degrees of coverage, but the one thing they all have in common is they offer the freedom of unrestricted arm movement while the more open design encourages more airflow to help regulate body temperature. The fabrics used in performance tanks also wick moisture from your body and dry quickly, helping to keep you cool on the court. While women have been wearing tanks on the court for quite some time, Rafael Nadal almost single-handedly made muscle-style tank tops popular for men.

While most performance materials have moisture wicking technology – for example Nike’s Dri-FIT and adidas’ CLIMACOOL, when the sun is beating down on a hot summer day, you’ll want lighter-colored styles that reflect heat away from your body and lightweight mesh or woven fabrics that dry extra-quickly for added comfort. Breathable mesh waistbands, inseams, yokes and skirts as well as engineered ventilation and laser perforations allow air to flow where you need it most. These skirts and shorts have what it takes to keep you cool on the court.

In summer, heat is not the only thing we battle harder against during these days when the sun is closer to the earth. Penetrating UV rays can do extra damage to our skin if we aren’t careful, which is why UV protective clothing is just as important as copious amounts of sunscreen. UPF sun protection is embedded directly into the fabric so it doesn’t have to keep getting re-applied. UV protective styles often have long sleeves and some brands, such as IBKUL, incorporate cooling technology into their fabrics. These lightweight styles will keep you covered on sunny game days.

When it’s sweltering out on the court, the right accessories are just as important as the clothing you wear. Performance hats and visors shade your eyes from the sun, keep your hair in place and help wick away moisture. Sunglasses help with the glare and allow you to focus on the ball. Wristbands keep sweat from affecting your grip and can dry your brow. UV arm sleeves offer light compression as well as sun protection. In addition to being invaluable for performance on hot sunny days, these accessories can also complete your match day look with extra style.

A wise person once said, “It is better to have and not want, than to want and not have.” Being prepared for hot weather is easy if you have the right items already packed in your bag. Ice packs, cooling towels and cooler bags to store them in go a long way toward regulating your temperature in the blistering heat. A good insulated water bottle and electrolytes ready to mix into it will keep you well hydrated. Sunscreen is a must and deodorant will freshen you up after your match. Extra overgrips, towels and grip lotion will keep your racquet secure in your hand even when your palms are sweaty and SmellWell bags and inserts are ready to store your wet clothes, absorb odors and keep your shoes fresh. These are some of the essential items to have handy on hot court days. Speaking of gear, we have some tips to help keep your equipment in tune for the heat in our Summer Tennis Checklist article.

From lightweight breathable apparel to UV protective garb, sun-shielding accessories and more, Tennis Warehouse is your one-stop shop for staying one step ahead of the heat on court. We’ll help you look and feel your best during the summer and throughout the rest of the year.

Gear Guide: Your Essential Summer Tennis Checklist