Should tourneys be cancelled if over 105 degrees?
- Thread starter ttwarrior1
- Start date
West Coast Ace
G.O.A.T.
Great post.
At least didn't go over and start watching the guys playing in the 18's...
As someone with shoulder issues, I wouldn't want to play 3 matches in a day for that reason. Heat - same for everyone.
Turbo-87
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, everyone in any given tournament is completely fit and tolerant of ANY conditions. Weak argument.
Yes, that is the correct assumption. If someone has a problem it is up to them to take care of themselves and withdraw.
See below. Not in shape? Then get in shape or deal with the consequences of being out of shape and playing tennis.
How many hand outs do you need? We don't even have real 3rd sets anymore, pathetic.
Turbo-87
G.O.A.T.
My point is, at some point you have to protect people from themselves and tournament directors do think about this. These are not highly trained athletes in tune with their bodies, you being the exception of course. Some of them may not understand how to read what is happening to their bodies. Yes, it may be expected that people should be in shape before subjecting themselves to extreme conditions, but it just isn't the case. Being in tennis shape and being able to tolerate extreme conditions are two different things. You may be an upper echelon Conan the Barbarian, but not everyone is.
I don't need any handouts personally, but thanks.
Last edited:
My point is, at some point you have to protect people from themselves and tournament directors do think about this. These are not highly trained athletes in tune with their bodies, you being the exception of course. Some of them may not understand how to read what is happening to their bodies. Yes, it may be expected that people should be in shape before subjecting themselves to extreme conditions, but it just isn't the case. Being in tennis shape and being able to tolerate extreme conditions are two different things. You may be an upper echelon Conan the Barbarian, but not everyone is.
Like the other guy said, if you can't handle the heat, then withdraw. Where is the personal responsibility of the players? Other people need them to manage for them? Why punish those who do work to be in appropriate physical condition for the tournament?
As far as my conditioning, I work hard as to be able to handle the heat as much as possible. I still get tired, and can always improve. Its part of the game, just like a volley, ground stroke or serve.
Lack of fitness is a deficiency in someones game, just like a bad second serve.
Agree to disagree
Last edited:
Baxter
Professional
No water? That can't be good.
floridatennisdude
Hall of Fame
do you realize that you are basically saying, "Get in shape or die"? That is a consequence of being out of shape and playing 3 sets of tennis in 100+ weather.
Just strikes me as a bit harsh.
Water, Gatorade and a Banana were also present!
Baxter
Professional
Those spray bottles with the little electric fans on top are very popular at out local late July (always in the 90s, sometimes over 100)tournament.
As to fitness, if you do well in this tournament and have entered multiple events, (three are allowed) you could find yourself playing three and sometimes four matches (real three setters, this is not USTA) on the Saturday before the finals. That's a LOT of tennis in a LOT of heat, and that kind of scheduling could take even the fittest person down with dehydration or heat stroke.
As to fitness, if you do well in this tournament and have entered multiple events, (three are allowed) you could find yourself playing three and sometimes four matches (real three setters, this is not USTA) on the Saturday before the finals. That's a LOT of tennis in a LOT of heat, and that kind of scheduling could take even the fittest person down with dehydration or heat stroke.
Taking it out of context much?
Clearly medical staff should always be present in a tournament, and a player who isn't feeling right should know to at least ask for a break if they are struggling with the heat.
I know I've played in matches where some players have struggled with heat and never had an issue with them taking time to make sure they are ok and can continue on.
floridatennisdude
Hall of Fame
The only tournaments I have been to with medical staff on site are pro tourneys. Even at Futures or Challengers, it was a trainer and not an MD. Never seen one at an NTRP tournament. Ever.
And I took nothing out of context, btw. Just took your post literally.
Last edited:
Baxter
Professional
Our local tournament (Taco Bell, which everybody calls Taco Hell of course) attracts over 500 players of all ages and skill levels, and I can assure you, the only medical personnel are out playing on the courts. Someone is going to die at this tournament sooner or later. I was considering a trip to the emergency room last year after my third (or was it fourth, my brain was fried) match but toughed it out in a walk in beer cooler! Scheduling senior singles matches at three in the afternoon in late July in the desert reeks of elder abuse, IMO.
BTW, I'm in great shape and play doubles and singles four times a week, but every degree over 95 or so has an impact. Over 100 really is brutal.
Last edited:
purple-n-gold
Hall of Fame
I have played tourneys here NC, with 100+ on-court temp where you had 2 hrs maybe between singles matches. What made it really tough was participating in 2 events!
r2473
G.O.A.T.
Last edited:
Right, because I said that I thought people should play until they die.
Good luck finding the post where I said those words.
Anyway, ive said my piece. Carry on.
floridatennisdude
Hall of Fame
Good point, I guess there is usually a few doctors around. Playing, of course. It's not like a $30 entry fee includes 24/7 staffed emergency personnel.
Curious, do they make folks sign medical waivers for that event? I have played some that do, but most don't.
Baxter
Professional
No, I've never signed anything except a check for this one and I've playing it since 1998.
Mongolmike
Hall of Fame
jc4.0
Professional
First - three, 3-set matches in one day? Even if it was 70 degrees you got a tough day at the office! I'd never make it if it was 105. Here - humidity is a huge factor. The temp may only be 90-95 but with 80% humidity your sweat doesn't evaporate so it's hard to stay cool.
If you decide to play - of course, hydrate well and often, take some minerals after you sweat for an hour or so: salt, potassium, magnesium. Eat bananas and drink coconut water. But most important, if you start feeling heat exhaustion, retire from the tournament. Early symptoms: fatigue, nausea, cramps. next stage is Heat Stroke, which can kill you. That's when your body can't produce enough sweat to cool you down, and your brain basically boils in your head. Symptoms include turning white and passing out.
I must've lost a quart of sweat today, but I took the above advice - plus I'm used to the heat.
If you decide to play - of course, hydrate well and often, take some minerals after you sweat for an hour or so: salt, potassium, magnesium. Eat bananas and drink coconut water. But most important, if you start feeling heat exhaustion, retire from the tournament. Early symptoms: fatigue, nausea, cramps. next stage is Heat Stroke, which can kill you. That's when your body can't produce enough sweat to cool you down, and your brain basically boils in your head. Symptoms include turning white and passing out.
I must've lost a quart of sweat today, but I took the above advice - plus I'm used to the heat.
dParis
Hall of Fame
Admit it. The only reason you cared was because it meant more food for you at the Golden Corral buffet after the match.
Baxter
Professional
Good one! I played a tournament this weekend. Temps were in the high nineties. I played three short matches yesterday and was fine (two doubles, one 0 and 0 singles).
Today I played two singles matches, one at 9 and one at 11. I won the second match 3 and 4, but I did NOT feel good afterwards, and would have asked for a ten point tie break in lieu of a third had I lost the second. I'm 57 and I'm going to tell the TD at this week's tournament that two matches per day is my limit.
Baxter
Professional
One of my prizes for winning the singles championship yesterday was an evaporative cooling bandana. You have to soak in ice water for about ten minutes, but it works great and now I have that vintage Borg/MacEnroe look! They should have given them to everybody at the beginning of the tournament.
Last edited:
Turbo-87
G.O.A.T.
I agree. There are a lot of people who wrongly think they can tough it out and the outcome can be disasterous. Everyone reacts differently to heat and even the best preparation can't overcome people thinking they are capable of handling it. You don't know you are in trouble until it is far too late to do anything but have direct medical attention and IV fluids. As I said before, at some point, people need to be protected from themselves. I am not saying the fault lies with a tournament director if people can't police their own health and readiness, but if I was a director the thought would be in my mind that I would want to deal with risk management. Some people are just too stubborn to know their limits. I commend all of the people who are able to handle it and I bow to you.
Some people can confuse heat prostration and exhaustion with just being tired from the heat. I know, because it happened to me. Since that horrible experience, I know EXACTLY what my body is telling me and I listen.
Last edited:
ttwarrior1
Hall of Fame
has a match ever been cancelled because of cold, i actually played on a court with ice on it once
B
Babolatbarry
Guest
I had a tennis match for a tourney during the superbowl last year lol, it was 39 degrees fahrenheit....I THINK* but I'm not positive, judging by my memory here
goran_ace
Hall of Fame
Rules in college set a minimum of 50 degrees, but I've played in far below that because my coach and the opposing coach agreed it was ok.
I have also.
floridatennisdude
Hall of Fame
I don't play when the high is under 40. Only a couple weeks a year that I avoid playing.
Mauvaise
Rookie
I learned a very valuable lesson about playing 4+ hours of strenuous tennis in high (Phoenix) heat: Make sure you eat!
I actually got heat exhaustion (I don't think it made it all the way to heat stroke) on Saturday during a tournament. It was a night tourney and we started playing at 6pm. I had eaten a good sized breakfast at 9.30AM, but nothing after that. I drank plenty of water mixed with Vitamin Water, but no more food. At about the 4-hour mark it hit.
My partner and I won our first match in a tight 3 setter (6-3, 4-6, 6-4) and were in the third set of our second match (against the #2 seed). We had won the first set 6-3, lost the second 2-6, and were up an unbelievable 5-1 in the deciding third when it happened. Our opponents were serving 15-30 to me and right as I was following the server's ball toss the first wave of nausea hit.
Somehow I managed to finish out the point (which we lost via an UE by me). I immediately ran off the court before the ball had bounced twice, mumbling to my partner as I rushed past that I thought I was going to be sick. Some people brought me an ice pack and I sat down for about 10 minutes. I thought I would try to finish out the match (we *were* two points from winning the darn thing) so I mustered everything I had and went back out there.
It quickly became apparent that things were not going to go well because I couldn't run. I was ok if the ball came right to me and I could execute a short halfhearted trot, but running full tilt was out. I warned my partner and we went to work. We ended up losing that game and I took my change over in the pro shop with an ice pack.
I was supposed to serve next, the score was 5-2. I just needed to get it together for one more (hopefully) game. But every time I stood up, I'd get dizzy and the nausea would roll over my body in sickening waves. My partner said I was turning white and he talked me into my decision to retire.
It was heartbreaking because 1) we were so close to the upset and 2) I have honestly never played better than I had those first 5 games - I was in the zone where it felt like I had 5 minutes to set myself up for every shot and the ball was the size of a softball. I've never been in the zone like that before. I also felt horrible for my partner, but he was very gracious about it, and in fact insisted that we stop. It took me 20 minutes before I felt I could stand long enough to walk to the car. My opponent drove me home in my car and had someone follow to drive her back because everyone was concerned I'd pass out on the way home. All in all - not a good experience.
I still contend that it wasn't the heat so much as the lack of food after 4+ hours of tennis in the heat.
But learn from my fail: EAT! Before, and during!
I actually got heat exhaustion (I don't think it made it all the way to heat stroke) on Saturday during a tournament. It was a night tourney and we started playing at 6pm. I had eaten a good sized breakfast at 9.30AM, but nothing after that. I drank plenty of water mixed with Vitamin Water, but no more food. At about the 4-hour mark it hit.
My partner and I won our first match in a tight 3 setter (6-3, 4-6, 6-4) and were in the third set of our second match (against the #2 seed). We had won the first set 6-3, lost the second 2-6, and were up an unbelievable 5-1 in the deciding third when it happened. Our opponents were serving 15-30 to me and right as I was following the server's ball toss the first wave of nausea hit.
Somehow I managed to finish out the point (which we lost via an UE by me). I immediately ran off the court before the ball had bounced twice, mumbling to my partner as I rushed past that I thought I was going to be sick. Some people brought me an ice pack and I sat down for about 10 minutes. I thought I would try to finish out the match (we *were* two points from winning the darn thing) so I mustered everything I had and went back out there.
It quickly became apparent that things were not going to go well because I couldn't run. I was ok if the ball came right to me and I could execute a short halfhearted trot, but running full tilt was out. I warned my partner and we went to work. We ended up losing that game and I took my change over in the pro shop with an ice pack.
I was supposed to serve next, the score was 5-2. I just needed to get it together for one more (hopefully) game. But every time I stood up, I'd get dizzy and the nausea would roll over my body in sickening waves. My partner said I was turning white and he talked me into my decision to retire.
It was heartbreaking because 1) we were so close to the upset and 2) I have honestly never played better than I had those first 5 games - I was in the zone where it felt like I had 5 minutes to set myself up for every shot and the ball was the size of a softball. I've never been in the zone like that before. I also felt horrible for my partner, but he was very gracious about it, and in fact insisted that we stop. It took me 20 minutes before I felt I could stand long enough to walk to the car. My opponent drove me home in my car and had someone follow to drive her back because everyone was concerned I'd pass out on the way home. All in all - not a good experience.
I still contend that it wasn't the heat so much as the lack of food after 4+ hours of tennis in the heat.
But learn from my fail: EAT! Before, and during!
Last edited:
chatt_town
Hall of Fame
lol....who are you referring to here?...lol
I agree. Too much luck involved in a 10 point tiebreak.
kingcheetah
Hall of Fame
I'm in a humid area of Va. and we were outside on the hard courts for a 2.5 hr training session a couple weeks ago when it was 99 outside-- no idea what the on-court temperature was. I was amazed the coach did that as one junior player and an adult player both had ambulances called for them last summer due to heat exhaustion-- the kid actually passed out.
kingcheetah
Hall of Fame
Same here-- we had a match that was sub 40 and they still played it outside... because it was a degree or two above a certain threshold ( I think it was 35 degrees) Interestingly the women's teams from the same colleges were indoors the day before.
Mr.Lob
G.O.A.T.
That's weak. I've played on a court with a foot of snow on it.
cknobman
Legend
Been playing in 100+ degree temps for summer tournaments here in Texas for 10 years now.
If you cannot handle the heat don't register to play.
If you dont know your bodies own limits then you need to take some time to figure them out.
Spend some time training and conditioning your body, you will be fine.
A few things I do to keep the heat from overwhelming me:
If you cannot handle the heat don't register to play.
If you dont know your bodies own limits then you need to take some time to figure them out.
Spend some time training and conditioning your body, you will be fine.
A few things I do to keep the heat from overwhelming me:
- Take a small cooler full of ice on court with me. On every change over take a few cubes of ice put them in my hat and then place on top of head. Those ice cubes keep my body noticeably cooler on court. It makes a HUGE difference.
- Take a frog tog on court with me and keep it in a cooler. On change over these things help you cool down very quickly.
- Keep an umbrella with you to make sure you have shade on change overs.
- SLOW DOWN. This is a problem I needed to train myself to overcome. I play quick, very quick but forcing myself to slow down a little when its hot makes a big difference and lets my body cool down.
- Take food on court - chips, energy gue/beans.
MrRandom247
Semi-Pro
Living in Perth, get used to it in summer. I played on hard courts in 40C regularly. Always wear a hat, loads of sunscreen, drink the right stuff.
Mongolmike
Hall of Fame
Gotta weigh in on the side of- it's the players responsibility.
If it is too hot for YOU to play... withdrawl. It's a meaningless tourney... do not put yourself in danger.
If on the other hand, a player is more fit, more used to playing in heat... let the best man/woman win.
Personally, to this point anyway, even as a northener my whole life, I don't mind playing in hot conditions. My body feels looser the hotter it gets. Of course, I prepare days ahead of time with plenty of hydrating, and have plenty of appropriate drink and foods the day of...
If it is too hot for YOU to play... withdrawl. It's a meaningless tourney... do not put yourself in danger.
If on the other hand, a player is more fit, more used to playing in heat... let the best man/woman win.
Personally, to this point anyway, even as a northener my whole life, I don't mind playing in hot conditions. My body feels looser the hotter it gets. Of course, I prepare days ahead of time with plenty of hydrating, and have plenty of appropriate drink and foods the day of...
Bionic slice
Semi-Pro
Its pretty regular here in DFW in MAY-thru SEPT for for temps to be from 90-105 plus outdoor then add the court temps. It sucks as I made a USTA tourney final but cramped in the semis really bad.
After winning my QF match at 12:30 and 105 outside(no clue what the court temp was), i went to the officials when i saw they wanted me play my Semi in 35-40 mins. My QF match was suppose to start at 10:30am but matches went longer than expected and i didnt get on the court until 12:30. They said sorry but due to scheduling I needed to be ready in 35-40 mins and i said Thats not fair as my opponent match was at 9am and he had over 3 hours to recover. I pleaded with them to give me time to re-hydrate as i was at unfair advantage and needed more time to adequately recover. They gave me 55 mins as they said i would be dqed if i didnt arrive at the latest 55 mins.
It sucked, as i dominated the 1st set but started cramping really bad and couldnt put weight on my right leg or move side to side at all. Won the 3 set tiebreaker hitting winning returns and going for aces on 1st and 2nd since i couldnt move.
After winning my QF match at 12:30 and 105 outside(no clue what the court temp was), i went to the officials when i saw they wanted me play my Semi in 35-40 mins. My QF match was suppose to start at 10:30am but matches went longer than expected and i didnt get on the court until 12:30. They said sorry but due to scheduling I needed to be ready in 35-40 mins and i said Thats not fair as my opponent match was at 9am and he had over 3 hours to recover. I pleaded with them to give me time to re-hydrate as i was at unfair advantage and needed more time to adequately recover. They gave me 55 mins as they said i would be dqed if i didnt arrive at the latest 55 mins.
It sucked, as i dominated the 1st set but started cramping really bad and couldnt put weight on my right leg or move side to side at all. Won the 3 set tiebreaker hitting winning returns and going for aces on 1st and 2nd since i couldnt move.
