While April showers certainly bring May flowers, the rainy season has many people asking: can you play tennis in the rain? The short answer is yes. While it’s probably not a good idea to meet up with a friend for a match if it’s a monsoon outside, there are several ways you can prepare yourself for a successful day of tennis in the rain. This week, we’re talking about all things tennis when it comes to stormy weather.

Attire 

The first thing you need to do is make sure your sneakers have good enough traction to run around a wet court. Especially on a clay court, a pair of sneakers with extra material on the bottom is great for playing on a damp surface. Also, bring a few extra towels to periodically dry off yourself and your racquet, and get a hat or visor to make sure you maintain good visibility. 

Court

For light rain, clay courts will usually take 15-20 minutes to dry. Heavy rain, on average, takes 2-3 hours to dry for clay courts. On hard courts, the time for drying can take longer, and playing should definitely be avoided if you see puddles. Hard courts will probably dry in 30 minutes- 1 hour, depending on the severity of the rain. Needless to say, clay courts are better able to absorb water than hard courts. But once they get saturated, your level of traction will become mudlike and challenging to play on. 

Gear

It’s no fun playing tennis with waterlogged balls, but rain doesn’t ruin tennis balls. If it’s raining hard enough, tennis balls will absorb water and has the potential to double in weight, which considerably slows it (and your volleys) down. If you’re determined to play a rainy day match, double the number of cans you bring in your bag. Extra racquets and over-grips should also be packed because moisture will loosen your grip quickly.

Conclusion

If you’re determined and prepared, a little rain should not prevent you from having a great day of tennis. Have questions about what kind of courts hold up best in the rain? Contact us today!