It's Not My Game...It's the Weather (Dry Heat)

First I want to address the issue of pollen. Pollen should only really be a factor if the wind kicks up. If it is humid and heavy, the pollen should not bother you so much. But the dry, hot days with a little wind are what makes it bad. Balls pick up and disperse pollen every time they hit something (IE the ground and your racket) so bring some extra tissues and take your antihistamine.

Dry Heat

In 2009, Victoria Azarenka had to play Serena Williams in the Australian Open. At the beginning of the match, Azarenka was firing backhands and forehands and Serena was running all over the place. About midway through the first set, you can see her stomach working hard to pull in air. Azarenka won the first set. Shortly as the match went on, Azarenka started weakly stumbling and almost losing her balance frequently. Eventually she retired from the match. She was ill, and combined with the heat of Australia, she didn't stand a chance.

Dry heat is killer. You know it's hot mentally. You feel the sun. However you don't seem to sweat. Well you are sweating. But the heat is evaporating your sweat before it beads up and travels down your face.

Dry Heat is bad but if you are the type of player that uses spin or hits the ball really flat and hard, your skills will be magnified. Normally, depending on how hard you and your opponent are hitting the ball, the ball will lose pressure. With dry heat you can enjoy an actively bouncing ball much longer. The balls also stay good for practice as well.

So here is how you beat the dry heat:

1. Hydrate Early - Drink a lot of water the night before if you have a day match and in the morning for an afternoon match. If you are going to drink any diuretics (drinks that dehydrate ie soda/alcohol/coffee) it is more essential to drink water. Pack some extra water and make sure you do not leave it out in the sun while you are playing. The sun will heat up your water just like leaving a dog in a car. Make sure you drink some water every chance you get. If you feel dehydrated then it is too late.

2. Cover up - Unless you are practicing, I think that showing bare arms is a mistake. The sun will hit the exposed areas and will heat you up. The same thing with your head. The body will steal energy from your game in order to cool itself down.

3. Focus - It is a lot easier to become lightheaded when the heat is high. Try to pay attention to how you feel an manage yourself accordingly. If you find yourself getting a little dumber than usual, eat some food, pour a little water on your neck and use the full 30 seconds in between points to towel off and take stock in your condition.

4. Liquid food - Make sure that when you eat food, bring something that doesn't require too much chewing. If you get dehydrated, your mouth will not produce the required saliva you need to break down to food. Bananas are excellent. A non-carbonated sports drink should help. There are some sports pastes that you can use also.