Pre-Match Routine
Also known as: pre-match routine, before a tennis match, what to do before a tennis match, tennis match preparation, preparing for a tennis match, match day routine, eat before a tennis match, food before tennis
A good pre-match routine covers gear, food and fluids, a warm-up, and a simple plan. Pack spare racquets, grips, water and a snack the night before. Eat a familiar meal a few hours before play, arrive early, and do a dynamic warm-up before the on-court hit. Finish with two or three tactical goals.
Preparation starts the day before. Check the start time, the venue and the format, such as a match tiebreak or a pro set. Pack two strung racquets if you have them, fresh overgrips, water, snacks, a towel, a cap and sunscreen, and a spare shirt. Bring balls if the event asks you to. Good sleep the night before matters more than any last-minute practice.
On match day, eat foods you know agree with you. Avoid trying anything new. Leave a few hours between a full meal and play, and have a light snack closer to the start if you need one. Drink regularly through the day rather than all at once before you walk on. Bring water and an easy snack for changeovers, especially in heat or long matches.
Arrive early enough to warm up off court first. Use light jogging, dynamic stretches and some shadow swings. The on-court warm-up is short. The Code asks players to give each other five to ten minutes, and ITF Rule 29 allows up to five unless the organisers decide otherwise. Hit to your partner, take all your warm-up serves before the first serve, and watch for the opponent's strengths and weaker side. Then set two or three goals, such as first serves with spin and deep crosscourt rallies.
Tips by skill level
Pack your bag the night before and arrive early enough to jog and stretch before you walk on court.
Use the warm-up to scout. Hit a few high balls and short balls to the opponent and note what they handle badly. That becomes part of your plan.
Example
A league player packs her bag the night before, eats pasta at noon for a 4 p.m. Match, and arrives 30 minutes early. She jogs and does leg swings, then uses the five-minute warm-up to notice her opponent's slice backhand.
Why it matters
Many early-match errors come from rushing in cold, hungry or unprepared. A steady routine lets you start the first game playing your own tennis.
Common mistakes
- Arriving late and walking straight into the on-court warm-up
- Trying a new food or drink on match day
- Using the warm-up to practise winners instead of finding rhythm
- Starting the match with no plan beyond 'play well'
Frequently asked questions
What should I do before a tennis match?
Pack your gear the night before, eat a familiar meal a few hours before, and drink regularly. Arrive early for an off-court dynamic warm-up, then use the on-court hit to find rhythm. Set two or three simple goals.
What should I eat before a tennis match?
Something familiar that sits well with you, with a few hours between a full meal and play. A light snack closer to the start and water through the day help. Avoid trying new foods on match day.
How long is the warm-up before a tennis match?
Short. The Code asks players to give each other a five to ten minute warm-up. ITF Rule 29 allows up to five minutes unless the organisers decide otherwise. Take your warm-up serves before the first serve of the match.
Sources
Related terms
- Tennis Warm-UpA good tennis warm-up raises your heart rate, moves your joints through the ranges you use on court, and rehearses tennis movement. Start with light jogging or skipping, then dynamic moves such as leg swings, lunges, arm circles and trunk turns. Finish with side shuffles, short sprints and shadow swings, then start hitting with mini tennis.
- Match NervesMatch nerves are normal, and the aim is to play well with them, not to make them vanish. Use a between-point routine, breathe out slowly and pick one simple target for the next ball. When you feel tight, keep a relaxed grip, swing through to a full finish and play shots with margin instead of going for the lines.
- Set and Match FormatsMost matches are best of three sets: first to six games, winning by two, with a tiebreak at 6-6. Other approved formats include advantage sets with no tiebreak, short sets to four games, and a deciding match tiebreak instead of a third set. Many US events also use the 8-game pro set.
- Tennis EtiquetteBasic tennis etiquette: warm your opponent up by hitting to them, announce the score before each point when serving, and make prompt, fair calls. Wait until a point ends before walking behind a court or returning a stray ball. Then send the ball straight to a player. Shake hands at the end.
- Warm-Up ProtocolA warm-up protocol is a structured routine that prepares the body for full-effort swings. It raises tissue temperature, activates relevant muscle groups, and syncs the nervous system.
Related guides & benchmarks
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