A Guide for Playing Tennis in Winter

Members at The Cliffs treasure racquet sports as part of their luxury community amenities. From pickleball to tennis, you’ll find the perfect sport you can enjoy all year round. Although the winter may be a slow time for tennis, it doesn’t mean you can’t play or enhance your game during this season. Winterizing your tennis game is one of the best ways to keep your athletic skills in top condition.

Continue reading to explore tips on playing tennis in winter to enhance your game for spring.

Top 4 Tips for Winterizing Your Game

1. Dress the Part

Playing tennis in 40-degree weather as opposed to 90-degree weather is undoubtedly a noticeable change. If you play tennis in winter, it’s essential that you dress accordingly.

Layer Up

Wear several thin layers of clothing, so you can remove small amounts as you warm up. Once you remove your outer layer, you will go from one extreme to another if you are wearing an oversized, warm sweatshirt over a light T-shirt. To combat this, you should include a middle layer, that way you remain comfortable during the chillier weather. 

We recommend layering in this order: 

• A base layer to wick away sweat
• A mid-layer that will provide insulation 
• A top layer like a hooded sweatshirt to keep you warm  

As for your pants or skirt, you should make sure they aren’t restrictive to enhance your mobility. We also suggest you wear a base layer underneath your skirt or pants to provide extra warmth and protection. 

Accessories 

Gloves should be a staple in anyone’s  tennis wardrobe during the winter. The colder your hands are, the harder it is to find the proper position on your grip, so wearing gloves provides a firm grip and keeps your hands warm! 

Sunglasses can also be helpful, as the winter sun is lower in the sky and more likely to be a constant bother. A visor or cap will also help protect your face from the sun. Additionally, we suggest you carry a water bottle to remain hydrated while wearing a headband to prevent sweat from getting into your eyes. 

2. Prepare Your Body

During the colder months, extending your warm-up is even more crucial, as you don’t want to risk an injury. It would be best if you warmed up before you play tennis to ensure a fluid and unhurried serve. 

Whenever you play tennis, but especially during the winter, you should establish a consistent warm-up regimen that involves:

• Dynamic Stretches
• Elevated Movements 
• Practice Serves on Each Side  

A longer warm-up will keep you feeling warm for a game of tennis in winter. At The Cliffs, you may warm up or practice beforehand in our state-of-the-art facilities.

3. Adapt Your Gear and Equipment

As you adjust your warm-up during the winter, you should also ensure your equipment is prepared. To properly condition your racquets and tennis balls, follow these tips.

• Strings: Lower your string tension. The lowered tension in cold weather makes your strings less likely to break. If you don’t want to bother to restring your racquet, you can stand on them for a few seconds.
• Balls: Avoid tennis balls with low endurance. Balls with higher endurance can be used in winter and typically retain their bounce for back-to-back games, but you should never use dead balls.

4. Adjust Your Shot

Cooler weather provides greater endurance for players as they are not concerned about extreme heat, high humidity levels, and worry of dehydration. However, the cooler air does affect your performance — as well as your equipment. Some moves, such as topspin, may have less bounce depending on the ball, which can throw off your game if you’re accustomed to it.

Some of the most effective shots we suggest trying during the winter are:

• Drop shots: A ball hits over the net that lands so short over the net that the opponent cannot reach it before it bounces twice.
• Flat serve: At the professional level, flat serves are among the most potent and common. The flat serve is named for its flat trajectory, as the ball is only lightly spun on contact.
• Slice serve: Adds sidespin to first serves and second serves. Instead of using flat or kick serves, slice serves brush along the side, effectively altering the bounce and spin of the ball.

Enjoy Tennis Year Round at The Cliffs

Tennis is a great way to get to know your neighbors, have routine exercise, and enjoy the vibrant lifestyle at The Cliffs. The Carolina coast may be known for golf pros, but the 22 tennis courts available at The Cliffs are a great way to honor this fast-growing sport! With our tips, you’ll be able to winterize your game and be prepared to take on the courts all year long!

The Cliffs are dedicated to providing our members with racquet sports, well-maintained private tennis and pickleball courts, state-of-the-art fitness centers, outdoor pursuits, and more. The Cliffs prides itself on being an inclusive club, where all stages of players from beginners to experts are welcome to swing their racquet. Get some pointers from our pros and experience the difference of living at The Cliffs. We invite you to learn more about our amenities and what makes our sporting life unique. Click the button below!