Thoughts on Warm Up Clothing during a match?

[JackB1]

that's like getting offended by people who don't use overgrips.
who cares???

[goober]

Originally Posted by spot

I don't even understand the question... how on earth could someone get offended by that!?

The whole line of thinking is "I don't need to take off my warm ups to beat you. I am not breaking a sweat." I actually have run across this before. In much warmer weather (90 degrees!) one of my teammates did not take off a hooded sweatshirt. He rolled over an opponent and the guy was asking him why he is not taking off his sweatshirt during the match. "I guess you don't think I am a worthy opponent."

[omega4]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Never made fun of it. Just motivated us a bit more. Btw, those balding seniors that play USTA League matches hired trainers, play more than they did twenty years ago.

Well, when you wrote you "had to win just to keep your Man cards", I got the impression that you thought those who choose to dress like Agassi were less than men because of their style choices.

Maybe I'm just being idealistic and naive but I wish people in general could enjoy whatever they're doing (e.g. playing tennis) without qualifying others based on their decisions (e.g. clothing styles).

Personally, I've never chosen to dress like anyone because of their status in a sport (e.g. Tiger Woods). But I'd never judge someone who did choose to dress like those they admired nor would I feel compelled to beat them "just to keep my Man card".

[omega4]

Originally Posted by JackB1

that's like getting offended by people who don't use overgrips.
who cares???

Agreed. I certainly don't care what anyone wears.

I only care about whether the person I play with has a good personality and disposition.

[omega4]

Originally Posted by goober

The whole line of thinking is "I don't need to take off my warm ups to beat you. I am not breaking a sweat." I actually have run across this before. In much warmer weather (90 degrees!) one of my teammates did not take off a hooded sweatshirt. He rolled over an opponent and the guy was asking him why he is not taking off his sweatshirt during the match. "I guess you don't think I am a worthy opponent."

Personally, I think anyone who entertains that line of thinking is reading way too much into other people's actions.

It's a little like men and women when it comes to dating. Both tend to read way too much into every little thing like body action, words used, etc.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by goober

The whole line of thinking is "I don't need to take off my warm ups to beat you. I am not breaking a sweat." I actually have run across this before. In much warmer weather (90 degrees!) one of my teammates did not take off a hooded sweatshirt. He rolled over an opponent and the guy was asking him why he is not taking off his sweatshirt during the match. "I guess you don't think I am a worthy opponent."

Exactly the point I was attempting to make in my OP.

Great post!

-Fuji

[Govnor]

there is a guy I used to play soccer against that always wears a long sleeved top. I could never understand it. It was indoors and often very hot in the summer. But he obviously liked it.

[woodrow1029]

Originally Posted by Fuji

but we've noticed some people get quite upset when their opponents "don't even need to take off the sweater" to play.

Curious to hear your guys thoughts on this!

-Fuji

Anyone who gets upset or offended because their opponent plays in warm-ups, or a sweatshirt, or hoodie, or jacket, in recreational or amateur tennis needs to find something better to do! LOL

Now, in pro tennis, it's against the rules, unless the supervisor gives prior approval for long pants or jackets to be worn (for cold weather reasons, or skin issues, or religious reasons), and then, the warm-ups need to conform to the logo restrictions in place by ITF, ATP or WTA.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by woodrow1029

Anyone who gets upset or offended because their opponent plays in warm-ups, or a sweatshirt, or hoodie, or jacket, in recreational or amateur tennis needs to find something better to do! LOL

Now, in pro tennis, it's against the rules, unless the supervisor gives prior approval for long pants or jackets to be worn (for cold weather reasons, or skin issues, or religious reasons), and then, the warm-ups need to conform to the logo restrictions in place by ITF, ATP or WTA.

That's really interesting regarding pro tour clothing guidelines. I never knew about that!

Thanks for the info!

-Fuji

[Angle Queen]

This thread has amused me.

As someone who suffers from Raynaud's (as well as hypotension), I often play in many layers of clothes, especially in the cooler months and indoors. Even then, there are times I cannot feel my fingertips and gripping the racquet is a challenge.

But I must admit, I've had more than a few opponents remark, post-match, that I never broke a sweat or had to take my layers off. My reply (regardless of the end result) is that I had to work hard...and that not sweating can present real problems, particularly in warm weather. My body simply cannot cool off and heat exhaustion is a real risk.

In mixed, however, I've had a regular male partner who told me once (in front of his wife...who also laughed hilariously with us)....that playing with me was like playing Strip Tennis -- that the better/harder the match, the more I took off. If I ended up in just my top and skort...we'd played one helluva match!

[chatt_town]

I think it's something I'd never even process. I'm too busy watching to see what weaknesses I can take advantage of. I'd be watching their movement, whether they are lefty or righty...things of that nature. How the person is dressed would be the furthest thing from my mind.


QUOTE=Fuji;7187700]Hey all,

Figured I'd get your opinion here! Just sort of a funny situation I was talking about with some of my friends recently.

What's your opinion on an opponent who plays with warm up clothes on the entire match? Do you get offended, or do you just leave it alone? We know a very good player who doesn't take off his warm ups for a match, regardless of it's indoors, hot or cold, etc. Always wears a hoodie/jacket and sweats to play. Would you be offended by this type of behaviour?

Honestly, it doesn't bug me at all one bit, but we've noticed some people get quite upset when their opponents "don't even need to take off the sweater" to play.

Curious to hear your guys thoughts on this!

-Fuji[/quote]

[Ronaldo]

Suspect it is not just the warm-up. Most players locally will wear anything but a warm-up when it is cool and needed. As if a warm-up is uncool. Yet those same guys on a soccer field sport a full kit.

[beernutz]

Originally Posted by Snoop_Dog

Man, all y'all needz ta just chill out. What another thug is bustin should not even come into yo' mind durin a match. I could care less whether tha playa dat I be playin is bustin a ski jacket o a t-shirt. Da gangstas dat freak up cuz of what some playa is bustin must not have enough chronic on hand. Y'all KNOW dat!

Ebonics FTL!

[Relinquis]

Originally Posted by Snoop_Dog

Man, all y'all needz ta just chill out. What another thug is bustin should not even come into yo' mind durin a match. I could care less whether tha playa dat I be playin is bustin a ski jacket o a t-shirt. Da gangstas dat freak up cuz of what some playa is bustin must not have enough chronic on hand. Y'all KNOW dat!

It's "couldn't care less".

David Mitchell covers it well here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om7O0MFkmpw

[TennisCJC]

I would try to be in the "couldn't care less" category but if the temperature is over 80 degrees and the guy had on long pants and long sleeves, it would be weird. I would assume he is doing it to sweat a lot but in a competitive match, I would think it is a bit weird and it might even be a bit distracting.

[woodrow1029]

Originally Posted by TennisCJC

I would try to be in the "couldn't care less" category but if the temperature is over 80 degrees and the guy had on long pants and long sleeves, it would be weird. I would assume he is doing it to sweat a lot but in a competitive match, I would think it is a bit weird and it might even be a bit distracting.

Distracting? Seriously?

[beernutz]

Originally Posted by TennisCJC

I would try to be in the "couldn't care less" category but if the temperature is over 80 degrees and the guy had on long pants and long sleeves, it would be weird. I would assume he is doing it to sweat a lot but in a competitive match, I would think it is a bit weird and it might even be a bit distracting.

We have a fellow at our club who I'll call 'Ralph' since that's his name. He is a pretty good predominantly singles-playing 4.0 who is famous locally for 1. playing almost anyone, anywhere for as long as they care to play, and 2. playing in long pants (sometimes with matching sweater vest!) during all but the hottest of summer days and it gets fudging hot here.

If it is one of those days in July or August where the temp on court is over 95 he's probably going to strip off his track suit pants but otherwise it is turn back the clock to 1930's tennis.

[spot]

The only potentially distracting thing would be if my partner were wearing warmup pants on a hot day and I felt compelled to constantly mock him for it. It can be tough to keep that up for the entire match but I think in the end I would be up for the challenge.

[slowfox]

Originally Posted by Relinquis

It's "couldn't care less".

David Mitchell covers it well here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om7O0MFkmpw

Yes. My pet peeve, right up there with foot faulting.