Playing in the Wind
Also known as: tennis in the wind, playing in the wind, windy conditions, windy day, windy days, windy weather, wind conditions, serving in the wind, serve in the wind, toss in the wind, playing with the wind, playing against the wind, crosswind
In the wind, play simpler tennis with bigger margins. Aim away from the lines, use more topspin for control and take extra small steps before contact, because the ball moves late. If a gust blows your toss away, catch it and toss again; that is not a fault. With the wind behind you, add spin and skip the drop shot; into the wind, hit deeper and use the drop shot.
Wind moves the ball in the air and after it bounces. You cannot control it, but you can control your toss, your footwork and your shot choices. Accept the conditions early. Complaining uses energy and focus you need for the match.
Keep your feet busy. Big steps before a stroke leave you stuck if a gust moves the ball late, so take lots of small adjustment steps as it arrives. Shorten a big backswing, because a long one gives the wind more time to move the ball. Watch the ball longer than usual, especially on overheads.
On the serve, take an extra moment before you start and keep the toss steady. Under the Rules of Tennis, a server who tosses the ball and decides not to hit it may catch it or let it bounce, with no fault. Hit the serves you trust most and aim for a high first-serve percentage.
Adjust for the direction of the wind. With the wind behind you, the ball carries long, so add topspin to keep it in. Drop shots tend to float too far. Into the wind, the ball slows and lands short, so aim higher and deeper and swing freely. A drop shot can work well here, as long as it stays away from the sidelines. Crosswinds are hard to predict, so give yourself extra room from the lines.
Be careful at the net. Volleys and overheads are harder when the ball wobbles, so read the wind before you approach. A lob into the wind tends to hold up in the court, but a lob with the wind behind you is risky.
Tips by skill level
In the warm-up, rally a few balls from each end to feel how the wind moves the ball. Then decide where you will aim from each side.
Plan by end. With the wind behind you, build points with heavy topspin and margin. Into the wind, swing more freely, hit deeper and look for the drop shot.
Example
On a gusty day, Ana stops aiming at the lines and plays crosscourt with heavy topspin. When a gust pushes her toss toward the net, she catches it and tosses again. Into the wind, she wins two points with drop shots.
Why it matters
Wind is common outdoors, and it turns small timing errors into misses. Players who adjust their margins, footwork and shot choices often beat players with better strokes who fight the conditions.
Common mistakes
- Aiming close to the lines as you would on a calm day
- Standing flat-footed and letting the ball drift into your body
- Hitting a toss the wind has blown off line
- Playing drop shots with the wind at your back
Frequently asked questions
How do I play tennis in the wind?
Use bigger targets, more topspin and extra small steps before contact. Keep your toss steady, catch it if the wind blows it away, and change your depth for whether the wind is behind you or in your face.
How do I serve in the wind?
Take an extra moment, keep the toss steady and hit the serve you trust most. If the toss drifts, catch it and start again; that is not a fault.
Is it a fault if I catch my toss?
No. Under ITF Rule 19, a server who tosses the ball and decides not to hit it may catch it or let it bounce. It is a fault only if you swing at the ball and miss.
Should I hit drop shots in the wind?
Into the wind, yes, because the wind holds the ball short. With the wind behind you, a drop shot tends to carry too far, so save it.
Sources
Related terms
- TopspinTopspin is forward spin imparted by brushing up the back of the ball. It makes the ball dip down into the court and kick up high after the bounce.
- Serve Toss PlacementServe toss placement is where the ball is released relative to the body. It determines which serve types are physically possible to hit from that toss.
- Drop ShotA drop shot is a soft groundstroke or volley meant to die just over the net. It draws the opponent in from the baseline to win the point with touch.
- LobA lob is a high, arcing shot meant to clear a net player's reach. On defense it buys time; on offense, a topspin lob near the baseline can win the point.
- First Serve PercentageFirst serve percentage is the share of first serves that land in the box. It is a core indicator of serve rhythm and risk management.
- Playing in Sun and HeatWhen serving into the sun, shift a little along the baseline or change your stance so the toss is out of the glare, and wear a cap or visor. If the sun catches your toss, catch the ball and toss again; that is not a fault. In the heat, drink at every changeover rather than waiting for thirst, cool down with shade and ice towels, and stop if you feel dizzy, sick or unusually tired.
Related guides & benchmarks
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