Tennis and the New York Climate

The weather in New York can be a major factor for professional tennis players at the US Open, perhaps even more so than the fans and noise. The city’s humid, subtropical conditions not only impact players physically but also add stress to their rackets and increase the weight of the tennis balls.

“Humidity definitely plays a significant role,” noted Dillon Pottish, head coach of the St. John’s University men’s tennis team. “Players have to adapt to these conditions while playing here in New York.”

Over the past week, the average dew point has been roughly 10 degrees below the usual 61.4 degrees for the 128 competitors at the US Open. This lower humidity might spare players from the equipment issues that are often caused by New York’s typical moisture levels.

Tennis Balls

One issue linked to the weather is what players refer to as “tennis ball fluff,” which is just as it sounds. Humidity can make the ball’s surface expand, affecting how it travels during play.

“It really alters the ball,” Pottish explained. “You can feel it getting heavier; it doesn’t move as quickly. The fluffiness of the ball slows it down, and it wears out faster in these conditions compared to drier heat.”

To counter this, new balls will be introduced regularly during matches as needed.

Rackets

Humidity’s effect on rackets is a variable that tournament organizers can’t control, and players must gauge themselves. Moisture can lead to deformation in racket strings, which might break more easily or lose tension faster than in dry conditions.

Players often adjust their string tensions to manage these effects, moving away from their usual preferences for better performance.

“Weather and humidity can significantly affect how players string their rackets,” Pottish noted. “Tight strings allow for more control, while looser strings can add power.”

Courts

So far, rain hasn’t disrupted this year’s tournament, but any chance of it could throw a wrench into the three-week event. Of the courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, two feature retractable roofs, while 41 remain open to the elements.

When rain does occur, it can saturate the courts and make them softer than usual, which in turn impacts the speed and bounce of the balls. Similar to the fluffing of tennis balls, players need to adapt their speed and strength in wet conditions.