Windy Conditions
Extremely windy conditions affected play the first couple days at the 2008 Pacific Life Open tennis tournament. These challenging conditions highlight the fact that pro tennis players are constantly battling the elements, i.e. wind, sun, heat, etc. as they try to perform in different venues around the world. Pro tennis players have battled the wind since junior tournament days. Nonetheless, one sometimes forgets how much of an
impact the wind can have on the outcome of the match. It can be incredibly frustrating for players because it’s so hard to hit cleanly and play “normally” in gusty conditions. In addition, players often need to adapt a more conservative strategy because it’s often so difficult to hit pinpoint shots in very windy conditions. Do windy conditions favor certain players or styles of game? Clearly, having smaller, simple strokes and a lower toss on the serve make it easier to hit cleanly in extremely windy conditions. In addition, attacking players and those who come to net frequently may have a slight advantage because they tend to play shorter points. However, when the winds are blustery, the biggest advantage goes to the tennis pros who simply remain calm - mental frustration is what causes the most problems on these days…
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