Wind Speed

[tkoziol]

I was just curious to get everyones opinion on wind speed and how it affects the game. What speed do you notice your shots being altered? Do wind screens really help? Do you prefer a constant wind or gusts? Do prefer the wind pushing you forward, backwards, or cross? Unplayable wind?

Heres mine:

I notice a difference at about 15 mph. Anything above that and I need to seriously adjust my game.

If the wind screens are nice then I notice about a 5-10 mph drop. I think court location plays a stronger role though.

I prefer a constant wind; it seems like its easier to adjust to.

Crosswinds are the worst. I think I prefer putting more topspin on the shots to prevent the wind from sailing them. However, it is fun sometimes when the wind pushes a blasted shot in that has no business dropping in.

I think there is no limit for playing in the wind as long as its not dangerous. I suppose competitively speaking, I would be frustrated at about 35 mph. I've played in wind like that and its pretty ridiculous. Fun to mess around, but not to be serious.

 

[The Meat]

Wind speed isn't the problem for me, it's the direction of which it's coming from that does. I personally hate having the wind come from the left side, it gives my opponent more angles on the cross court forehand and my cross courts are basically shots back in the middle.

Windscreens in my experience, have never helped a bit. It acts more like a barrier from sand and leaves.

 

[user92626]

The Meat makes weird observation.

Wind speed is what matters. If wind is slow and mild, does it matter which way it blows?

The screens are needed, hence they're installed at almost all courts. Ive played with a court without and it sucked.

Topspin and hard shot tends to do better in windy situation, but then you get guys like LeeD saying the opposite. Lots of weird observations here.

 

[Deleted member 391266]

I often find that I play worse in the wind more so because it affects me mentally as opposed to any physical problems it may cause. Of course cross winds and gusts cause actual problems, but it seems to be a self-fulfilling prophecy in that I automatically assume I play worse in windy conditions, therefore I actually do. The times I have just accepted the wind for what it is, it actually can be kind of fun to play in. You can really open up the court with new angles and the slice becomes a very effective weapon. All in all, if you just accept the wind and play the ball it gives you, then you will be fine.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

15 mph does not bother me too much but it does take longer to warmup my shots/game with that windspeed. 20+ mph with gusts is where I really start to notice more issues.

Yes, windscreens usually do help a fair amount with abating the wind somewhat. I wish more of then were blue rather than green for improved ball visibility (better color contract). I've played on courts that have no screens and the wind always seems worse. On courts with screens, you can see that the wind effect is much greater when the ball is hit near the top of the fence level or higher.

 

[Drew_a_blank]

I try not to worry about it too much. Besides, the wind bothers the guy on the other side of the net more than it does me!