Why the Right Tennis Outfit Matters More Than Skill

To be honest, I used to lose a lot of games. It wasn't because of poor skills. It was because... I wore something too tight. Yes, it's that simple. There are no complicated tactical issues. And it's not because I'm not working hard enough. It's a pair of trousers. A damn pair of thick and non-breathable pants. If you were to ask me now: What was the most important lesson that tennis taught me over the past ten years? I can't describe the serving technique. Nor can I talk about the power of the forehand stroke. And I certainly can't explain "mental toughness". I would say: Don't wear the wrong clothes to the performance. It sounds stupid, doesn't it? I felt the same way back then. Until one day, on the sports field, I was hot, wet and in a mess, and almost burst into tears. That was a particularly typical Saturday morning. If you have lived in an American community, you should be quite familiar with this scene: The weather is just right, neither too hot nor too cold. Someone is chatting by the side of the road with a cup of coffee. Someone is discussing their child's tutoring classes. And there is a dog, for some reason it never wears a leash. Background sound is: Snap. Snap. Snap. The sound of a tennis racket. Everything is wonderful. Very wonderful. It wasn't until the second set, in the sixth game. I felt as if I had just been pulled out of a swimming pool. It's not "a little sweating". It's something like - The clothes have turned into a wet towel, firmly clinging to your back, and it's getting heavier and heavier. My shorts started to roll up. They kept rolling up. Each time you run, roll up a little bit. Run again, and roll up a little more. Later on, I even dared not run fast. Because I knew - It would definitely go up again. The most outrageous part is the pocket. The ball is stuck inside. It's jammed very tightly. I stood at the baseline, using both hands to dig for the ball, like an old lady looking for a key. The opponent was waiting on the other side. The scene was very quiet. It was also very awkward. At that time, I really wanted to just pretend to be unconscious. Finally, she looked at me and said something. The tone is extremely gentle. It's not mockery, but rather the kind of sympathy from someone who has experienced it before. She said: "Honey, You're not tired. You're wearing the wrong thing." I was stunned at that moment. Really. It was as if someone had suddenly turned on the light. In my heart, there was only one thought: It's over. It turns out that this has always been the problem. Over the years since then, I have met many women on the sports field. All kinds of. There are mothers with three children still playing ball. There are aunts who come to play for two hours every day after retirement. There are young girls who have just graduated and are dressed very stylishly. And there is me - Purely because not wanting to become a couch potato those who force themselves to exercise We often discuss a certain issue: "Why do I want to go home after just one hour of work?" It's not because of laziness. It's not due to poor physical condition. It's not because of old age. Yes - Uncomfortable. Very simple. Later, I gradually discovered a pattern. Many people are wearing: Regular cotton T-shirt The kind of tight pants used in gyms Or a stylish sports skirt The question is: They were not designed for tennis. During the yoga class, they were great. While walking, they were also great. But on the tennis court, they are like -- Run in jeans. It's not impossible. But you will soon regret it. Now I choose tennis wear . The style is very simple. It's not at all sophisticated. Not fashion. Not brand. Not color. Instead, it is: Will I keep bothering it during the competition? If the answer is: Yes. That's it then. Thank you, goodbye. Next one. The first rule: If I have to keep pulling it all the time, then it is not qualified. Really. Because on the court, your hands should be used for: Hold the racket Serve Wipe the sweat Rather than: Pull down the pants Pull up the skirt Tie the shoulder straps I used to have a tennis skirt. Very attractive. The color is very sophisticated. The photo turned out extremely beautiful. When posting on the social media feed, there were many likes. But only I myself know one thing: That dress is a traitor. Every three steps, it climbs up once. Not occasionally. But every time. Throughout the entire game, I was doing two things: Playing ball Pulling the skirt Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore. I put it in a special place in my closet: "Suitable only for taking photos, not for exercising" area. right. I do have this area. And now there are already three pieces of clothing in it. The second rule: After sweating, is it helping me or harming me? This is particularly crucial. Because truly good sportswear can remove the sweat. Quietly. Not disturbing you. Rather than: Absorb the sweat into it And keep it there all the time Finally, it turns into a cold cloth Stick to your back…