A Gust of Wind

With the season beginning to change, and the warm spring weather approaches winter just never wants to leave early (in Maryland at least) in the beginning stages of spring around April we always have high winds, temps as low as freezing and rain lots and lots of rain.

But wind it almost kills the sport of tennis for most of us heck its probably the second most likely reason why people will play indoors behind the temperature.  

I had recently played in the worst conditions ever for a tennis match however I will admit it was not cold, but winds gusting up to 60 MPH, and they would stay at 60 MPH for a few minutes at a time.  It was so bad that when I threw my ball up for service it would literally fly away from me.  Balls one side you could tap and go flying and on the other side, you could hit as hard as you could and barely get over the net.

So let's talk about how to play in the wind because the outdoor season is starting for you highschoolers and college kids, and you too USTA players!  So when it comes to playing in the wind obviously what I played it was an extreme but the tactics are all the same. 

First is you MUST hit with lots of spin in these conditions a flat ball will just get pushed around.  With the spin, it gives you control of over the ball which will allow you to better place shots and prevent balls that go flying out. Second, adjust your toss of serve with the changing winds if the wind is blowing in your face throw the ball in front to move it into position and vice versa in any other direction. Third, keep feet actively moving in windy conditions you have no idea how the ball is going to travel for sure so its best to keep moving to adjust to any ball manipulation by the wind. Finally play it safe in windy conditions similar to mine it's just a matter of who can get one more ball over the net than the other player so keep grinding each point out!