U.S. Open Tennis - Winning in the Wind
It’s all about the weather at the 2010 U.S. Open. First, extreme heat was the story of this year’s U.S. Open, but swirling winds, especially in the bottom of the “bowl” that is Arthur Ashe Stadium is the new hot topic. It seems that everyone is talking more about
the wind on Arthur Ashe Stadium than the tennis played during the past week at the 2010 U.S. Open. Players are getting frustrated and trash is flying around and landing on the court causing many lets to be called in mid-point as a result. The reality is that pro tennis players have all played in tons of windy conditions over the years because they exist at all outdoor tournaments even if the U.S. Open stadium court is windier in general than other tennis stadiums.
The biggest challenge for tennis players competing in swirling, windy conditions is to be patient and also find the right balance between playing conservatively, as well as being aggressive at the appropriate time. Basic aspects of good tennis such as watching the ball very closely, good footwork, extra spin, hitting more towards the center of the court, etc. become critical to a player’s success playing in windy conditions. Players can’t play their best tennis in windy conditions or attempt very delicate shots. Nonetheless, in the end, there is still one winner in every tennis match and in these challenging and frustrating conditions, it will be the player who embraces the wind as a positive challenge.
The biggest challenge for tennis players competing in swirling, windy conditions is to be patient and also find the right balance between playing conservatively, as well as being aggressive at the appropriate time. Basic aspects of good tennis such as watching the ball very closely, good footwork, extra spin, hitting more towards the center of the court, etc. become critical to a player’s success playing in windy conditions. Players can’t play their best tennis in windy conditions or attempt very delicate shots. Nonetheless, in the end, there is still one winner in every tennis match and in these challenging and frustrating conditions, it will be the player who embraces the wind as a positive challenge.
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