Tips on dealing with perspiration from a guy who sweats the big stuff.
I know all about the havoc that the summer sun plays on the body. I may be a 4.0 player, but I’m a 7.0 at sweating, which has earned me the nickname “McSweaty.”
To give you an idea of my credentials, when I lie on the court to stretch before a match, I leave a sweat-angel imprint, which is like a snow angel, only gross. During a match on a warm day my shoes get so saturated that I leave footprints. I know it’s time to change my shorts when I pull out the spare ball and it makes a splosh as it hits the court. This means chest bumps and post-match hugs are out of the question. But let me state clearly, I sweat profusely only when I play. I’m generally dry and aromatic in social situations. So, if I ever meet Ana Ivanovic, I will want a hug.
Still, as the sultan of on-court sweat, here are some of my recommendations on what to bring to the court on those dogday afternoons.
COOLING TOWELS
“Refrigerated” towels, like Frogg Toggs Chilly Pads, are like little air conditioners. You dip them in water and they get cooler than the outside air but stay dry to the touch. I put Chilly Pads in a small cooler with ice water and pull them out on changeovers. It’s like taking a cold shower without getting wet.
SHIRTS AND SHORTS
Moisture-wicking fabric, which most brands use, is a must. I never play in cotton because of the extreme discomfort of it sticking to my skin.
OVERGRIPS
These are a must. I like Tourna Grip and Babolat VS Grip Original for their dry, tacky feels. And here’s a tip for muggy days, when even overgrips slip: Switch racquets on each changeover so one racquet dries in the sun while you use the other.
BAGS
I look like a Sherpa when I step on court. In addition to racquets, my bag has spares of everything listed here. A few favorite bags: Babolat’s AeroPro 12-pack doubles as a backpack and has a compartment to keep drinkscool and a bag for shoes. Prince’s Tour Team 12-pack fits two six-packs in its thermal cooler compartment. And Wilson’s jumbo Eco Pro Tour Super Six can be worn as a backpack for biking to courts.
SUN BLOCK
When you sweat a gallon an hour, there’s no such thing as sweat-proof sun block. I find that alcohol-based sprays (I use one from Aveeno) adhere better than lotions, but I still reapply every other changeover.
SUNGLASSES
Oakley M Frames stay snug despite perspiration, so I can still whip my head around to track a serve. But I have yet to find a sunglasses-maker that has come up with a way to keep sweat from getting on the insides of lenses.
HATS AND HEADBANDS
Hats lock in sweat, but the bigger reason I don’t wear them is that they trick you into thinking it’s shady— until you look up for an overhead and get blinded. Headbands are useless if you mop your brow with wristbands. Plus, they’re not especially flattering.
WRISTBANDS
Make sure you buy the double-wide cotton kind. They’ll keep your hands dry and provide a brow-mopping mini-towel. Stay away from terry cloth; the wimpy elastic can slide down to your hands.
SOCKS
I’m not sold on moisture-wicking socks. Where does the moisture go? Instead, I wear two pairs of cotton socks. The extra pair helps prevent blisters and adds cushioning.
SHOES
I swear by New Balance 804s. Their “Lightning Dry” collars wick away moisture to keep the average sweater’s feet from swimming, and mine dry enough so I don’t have to bake them on my dashboard between matches. I also like Nike’s Zoom Breathe 2K10, and anything with Adidas’ ClimaCool.
Originally published in the July/August 2010 issue of TENNIS.