Hard Choices: Extra Duty Tennis Balls, Summer Shoes and Sweat Defense

There’s a lot to like about playing on a hard court. True bounces make it easier to line up shots; sure footing enables quicker movement; faster ball speeds reward aggressive tactics. But the nature of the surface—especially in hot, humid conditions—makes it taxing on both your body and your equipment. Here’s what you need to know to get the most out of your summer hard-court experience:

Balls

Optimize hard-court sessions with extra duty balls. Their thicker felt covering increases durability. The felt is also wound less tightly than regular balls, so it fluffs up sooner—which helps slow them down on the quicker surface.

Recommendations:

Wilson US Open Extra Duty Tennis Balls

Shoes

Jetting across an unforgiving surface with sharp, sudden changes of direction can exact a physical toll. A dependable, well-cushioned shoe can protect ankles, knees and lower backs from constant pounding. Look for a model with adequate padding, especially around the midsole and heel, to provide the necessary shock absorption. Even if the shoe packs a little extra weight, the added protection is a worthwhile trade-off.

It also pays to have a sturdy outsole. A hard court’s abrasive nature can quickly eat away the rubber of an outsole that’s not optimized with long-lasting, substantial materials. Many of the better offerings are reinforced in high-wear areas to withstand toe-dragging and other deteriorative movements, and have tread patterns that promote the right amount of grip and give.

Recommendations:

Adidas Barricade

Mizuno Exceed Wave Tour 5

K-Swiss Ultrashot 3

Sweat Defense

This time of year naturally presents warmer conditions. Not to mention, hard courts often absorb sunlight and heat up higher than the air temperature. So sweating can become a significant factor.

While your beloved cotton T-shirt may bring good luck, it soaks up and carries sweat like a soggy sponge. It sags on the shoulders and weighs you down over the course of a match. Polyester-based performance fabrics are designed to wick moisture to the surface layer to keep sweat away from the body and promote faster drying. Plus, they’re constructed to promote better airflow to help keep cool, with some even offering UV protection. This apparel is often more expensive than standard gym shirts, but is well worth the investment.

A saturated grip is another pitfall in sweaty situations. This can cause the handle to shift in your hand, and lead to an unstable racquet face at contact. Absorbent overgrips are the best options to combat this problem. Placed over the racquet’s stock grip, overgrips generally have a dry feel—and actually provide a better hold on the handle even when damp.

Recommendations:

IBKUL Celebration Mock Quarter Zip

Tourna Grip

Gamma Pro Wrap

Head Pro Grip