The outdoors is the most underrated aspect of the game...agree or disagree?

[pvaudio]

What do you guys think? I was talking about this to one of my hitting partners who plays D2 singles the other day, and at his school there are only 3 outdoor courts but a complex of 12 indoor, so the team rotates between indoors and outdoors just due to space constraints. I was thinking that it would suck to only play indoors most of the time since most college matches are still played outdoors anyway and if you're not practicing in the conditions in which you play, you aren't getting a full practice. Personally, I love playing outside more than inside. It adds another element to the game where you not only have to fight your opponents shots, but the wind, sun, heat and changing weather. I dunno, playing indoors seems more sterile and even though I practice serving indoors exclusively, if I'm going to hit or play a best of 3 or 5, I always go outside since it just makes everything more exciting. No?

 

[GPB]

I've never played indoors.

 

[ProgressoR]

there are only outdoor where i live, and i have never played indoor, i do enjoy outdoor, the wind, the heat, playing under lights etc, its more real, though of course you have some very tough days.
I would play indoors if outdoors was not available (and if there was indoor near me) as a fall back though.

 

[BMC9670]

I dunno, playing indoors seems more sterile and even though I practice serving indoors exclusively,

I'm curious why you only practice serves indoors. While it makes it easier to get a consistent toss, I find that the ceiling makes the depth perception different than under an outdoor sky. For me, there is always an adjustment period in the spring/fall when transitioning from one to the other. Also, sometimes you need to adjust to sun and wind. Isn't it better to practice under both conditions?

 

[pyrokid]

Over season I got used to anything. (light hail, 20 MPH winds, 30 degrees out. What a day.)
So outdoors it is.

 

[pvaudio]

I'm curious why you only practice serves indoors. While it makes it easier to get a consistent toss, I find that the ceiling makes the depth perception different than under an outdoor sky. For me, there is always an adjustment period in the spring/fall when transitioning from one to the other. Also, sometimes you need to adjust to sun and wind. Isn't it better to practice under both conditions?

Perhaps. Whenever I'm changing something with my serve which is my best stroke, I want to have zero factors other than what I'm doing myself. And I have never once found the ceiling to be an issue in the slightest, so I can't relate there.

 

[BMC9670]

Perhaps. Whenever I'm changing something with my serve which is my best stroke, I want to have zero factors other than what I'm doing myself. And I have never once found the ceiling to be an issue in the slightest, so I can't relate there.

Makes sense. The ceiling isn't an issue for me, I just find it's different. I do like playing indoors and not dealing with the elements, though. Not having to worry about a match being rained out is nice. I'm in different clubs in the summer and winter, but they have a reciprocal agreement, where matches and clinics get moved indoors when it rains.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Almost all of my league matches are indoors. Much of my social play and practice is outdoors.

There is one huge advantage to indoor play that mostly applies to ladies 3.0-4.0 tennis: Indoor tennis discourages lobbing.

There are a lot of lob queens out there. When they have to deal with the ceiling, light fixtures and ceiling fans, it becomes more difficult to lob. When I have control over the court assignments for an indoor match, I will consider the slope of the ceiling and the extent to which there are things swinging from the ceiling in assigning courts. I'll give myself the court with the low ceilings and give the lob queens on my team the highest possible ceiling.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Don't HATE the ourtdoors but I do hate 20+ mph winds, hate the sun in my eyes, hate extreme heat, hate high UV levels and hate wearing sunscreen. Other than that, I love playing outdoors.

 

[Slazenger07]

^^^^ Im with S.A. on this one.

If its hot, extremely windy, or cold Im not gonna be enjoying it nearly as much. If the weather is nice it is perfection.

 

[BMC9670]

I'm always amazed that the sun doesn't seem to bother pros serving during tournaments when the sun is high. A lot of guys/gals don't wear hats. Do they alter their toss or just have such trust in their mechanics that the sun is no bother?

 

[jjs891]

Where I live, we can only play outdoors 3 months out of a year due to rain. Soon as the weather changes nice enough, we always try to get outdoors to play. But it is always a tough transition in dealing with outdoor elements. Having said that, I think tennis is meant to be played outside. Even though I don't play as well, I still love the outdoors.

 

[Jaewonnie]

Outdoor just feels so different...

 

[Larrysümmers]

I like playing indoors because it seems faster. But the only thing that bugs me is the wind! I have played a 5 set match in 37*F and I've played a 5 set match in 105*F I have played with the sun in my face and I've played under the lights. Heck I've even played with ice on the court! It is the wind I hate. If it is fast enough it takes the fun out of playing.

 

[FloridaAG]

Have only rarely played indoors - only time I want to is when it is raining

 

[GetBetterer]

When you live in Arizona...it doesn't matter lol.