| Everybody knows that the Australian Open throws up | | | | dangerous and can cause muscles to cramp etc). |
| several different challenges to the tennis player that | | | | 3. Do a bit of both but neither very well. |
| don't really exist at the other 3 Grand Slam | | | | The other big problem is that if the air (weather) is too |
| tournaments, some of which actually have nothing | | | | hot then the normal passage of heat from the skin to |
| directly to do with the forehand, backhand or tennis | | | | the outside world is reduced if not stopped. |
| really. | | | | You should now see how critical this all is. |
| The mental and physical challenges of playing tennis at | | | | How To Beat The Heat! |
| the highest level are always present but the Australian | | | | 1. If you know you are going to be playing in a hot |
| Open chucks in one further challenge that every tennis | | | | atmosphere you need to acclimatize to the conditions. |
| player must deal with or have NO CHANCE of lifting | | | | That means playing in it for short periods of time and |
| the trophy - playing in the heat. | | | | gradually building up so that your body gets a chance |
| Every year at the Australian Open the temperatures | | | | to get used to the conditions. This is especially critical |
| soar towards the 40 degree mark and leave the | | | | for those or you who do not play in the heat for long |
| organisers with the problem of maybe suspending the | | | | periods of the year. |
| tournament or at least closing the roof on the main | | | | 2. You will also need to watch your fluids. Players can |
| court. | | | | lose more than 5 litres of sweat during matches and |
| So, why do such high temperatures cause a problem | | | | obviously more during longer matches. They must be |
| to what are some very fit tennis players never mind | | | | replaced otherwise drops in physical (and mental) |
| the average club player and more importantly what | | | | performance occur. In fact you are in trouble with a |
| can be done to overcome them? | | | | fluid loss of only 2% of your bodyweight . |
| How can you Beat The Heat? | | | | 3. Fully hydrate before you play, which means drinking |
| Regulation of your body temperature has a dramatic | | | | lots (water is the best fluid replacement for pure |
| affect on tennis performance. If it is not properly | | | | hydration) the night before you play. |
| addressed it can in fact cause death. | | | | 4. Also drink regularly throughout the match (and |
| Here is the problem. | | | | afterwards), NOT just when you are thirsty (In fact if |
| You use energy to play tennis and three-quarters of | | | | you are thirsty - you are already de-hydrated!!) |
| that energy is converted to heat. The harder you play, | | | | Note - |
| the more energy you use and you produce more heat. | | | | Drinking reduces your level of dehydration and |
| You now have to get rid of the heat and the body | | | | therefore overheating - cold (NOT freezing) drinks |
| does so by moving blood to the skin so that the heat | | | | empty from the stomach faster than warm drinks and |
| can lost to the air. | | | | helps you to re-fuel (if you add in some low |
| The big problem is that long or hard matches place | | | | concentrated carbohydrate). |
| increased demands on your body because it also has | | | | Water can also help your body turn fat into energy |
| to transport oxygen and fuel to the muscles to keep | | | | which apart from being a rich energy source will spare |
| up energy production AND blood flow to the skin must | | | | the carbohydrate you will need for intense bursts of |
| be increased to remove heat. | | | | energy. |
| Your body therefore has 3 choices. | | | | 5. Stay out of the sun when possible i.e. at |
| 1. Prioritize Oxygen and fuel to the muscles (and | | | | changeovers. Try and sit in the shade when you can |
| overheat - VERY dangerous). | | | | and even in between points if there are shaded areas |
| 2. Prioritize blood to the skin to aid cooling (and cut | | | | on the court. |
| blood to the muscles and internal organs - potentially | | | | |