The conditions are an extra opponent
The switch of ends every 7 points (every 5 in the deciding set) exists for a specific reason: the two halves of the court are not equal. Wind and sun make one side easier than the other, and the regulations distribute the disadvantage instead of eliminating it. Good players do not wait for the unfavourable turn to pass: they know what to do in both.
The first decision comes before the first service. The toss awards the choice between service and court: in strong winds, choosing the right side is often worth more than the service.
Playing against the wind
A headwind slows the ball down and makes it drop short. The consequences:
- The serve must be hit with power. A normal serve dies in the net or lands
right on the receiver. You need a flatter, harder trajectory, and it is worth taking risks: serving against the wind is the one that produces the fewest errors.
- Sets become short. Setting "as usual" means sending the ball
into the net: you need to set further away from the net and deeper into the court.
- The deep line attack loses effectiveness, because the ball drifts back.
It is better to hit harder and lower, or look for the short diagonal.
- The deep lob is almost useless: it stops in mid-court.
Playing with the wind
This is the side that seems comfortable but actually produces more errors.
- The serve must be tamed. The ball flies: you need a lower trajectory
and a controlled hit, aiming inside the court rather than on the line.
- Sets drift over the net. You must set shorter and lower than usual,
and it is best to play the ball to your partner attacking from a deeper position.
- Watch out for "free" balls that look out. With a tailwind,
an apparently long ball drifts back in, and vice versa: the rule of thumb is always play the doubtful ball and only leave those that are clearly out.
- The deep lob becomes the best weapon, because the wind carries it
to the baseline.
Crosswind and gusty wind
A crosswind is the most insidious because it moves the ball asymmetrically: the serve must be aimed upwind of the target, and in reception it is best to position yourself a step towards the side the wind is coming from. Sets must be kept low: a high ball in a crosswind is unplayable.
With gusts, the only sensible approach is to set low, attack early and give up on long trajectories. In these conditions, matches are won on opponent errors: whoever keeps the ball inside the court wins points without doing anything special.
The sun
You do not fight the sun, you exploit it. If one side forces you to look up towards the sun, a high, deep serve to that side is the most profitable choice, and the same goes for the lob. On the other side, when it is your unfavourable turn:
- use a cap with the visor low and sunglasses, both of which are
permitted;
- shield with your free hand while tracking the ball, instead of squinting;
- call out more than usual: a partner who can see the ball is worth more than
one who is guessing;
- leave the doubtful ball to the partner who has the sun behind them, if you
have time.
A detail that decides many afternoon matches: when in doubt about court choice, look at where the sun will be in half an hour, not where it is now.
Wet sand, dry sand
Recent rain compacts the sand: running is easier, you jump higher and diving becomes harder. Dry, hot sand does the opposite. This is not a condition to be endured passively: on compact sand, powerful attacks pay off again, on soft sand it is better to place the ball and lengthen the rallies.
If you are organising a tournament, remember that dry sand at midday can be too hot for bare feet: watering the court between rounds solves this, and the regulations allow the referee to authorise shoes when the sand is too hot or too cold.
The golden rule
In difficult conditions, the winner is not the one who plays better: it is the one who makes fewer errors by choice. Reducing the ambition of your shots, setting low, serving with a margin of safety and playing all doubtful balls are decisions that seem defeatist but actually produce points. The moment to take risks is during the turn against the wind: that is where a strong serve makes the break.