What to Wear in Cold Weather for Tennis

When the weather cools enough to tighten up your muscles, but not enough to force you off the tennis court entirely, some smooth dressing strokes off the court should lead to more aces on the court. Dress with care in colder weather to prevent injuries and make the game more pleasurable and productive.

  1. Layers

    • First of all, dress in layers. You'll be warm enough to step out of your warm car and onto the cooler court, and then you can peel off unnecessary layers as your body warms up.

      For instance, you might wear a long-sleeved wicking shirt under your usual tennis polo shirt and cover up with a hooded sweatshirt, vest or both. On the bottom, you can wear your usual socks and shoes as well as shorts (if you think it will be warm enough eventually) covered by a pair of easy-to-remove sweatpants; add leggings if needed. Just make sure you still have a pocket for your tennis balls.

    Accessorize

    • In addition to the layers of clothes, think about the accessories you'll need in colder weather, including sunglasses, a hat or visor and gloves to keep your hands warm. And don't forget about sunscreen and lip balm. Some cold-weather tennis players also recommended heated hand warmers. You can put them in your pockets and put your hands in between points to keep them warm.

    Listen to Your Body

    • Finally, listen to your body. It will tell you if it's too cold for outdoor tennis, if you need more water, if you're wearing too many or too few layers. Give yourself extra time to warm up and cool down and to enjoy your cold-weather tennis games.