Local Tennis News
The 2nd Circuito De Verano Tenerife Sur, is a circuit for tennis players taking place in the south of Tenerife.
Players are expected from all over the island, but the idea is to give those players in the south a chance to play during the summer without travelling to the north of the island.
There are 4 tournaments covering age groups from Under 10 up to adults.
The tournaments are:
22-30 July ““ Los Gigantes (Pancracio Sports Centre)
30 July-06 August ““ Club de Tenis Chayofa.
13-20th August ““ Hotel H10 Conquistador
Then the Masters Event at the Abama Hotel on the 26-27-28th August for the overall top players in each category.
Entries close for the 1st event in Los Gigantes on the 21st July.
More information
Tennis On Tenerife – Tip Number 2
Whilst here on Tenerife, playing tennis under the mid-day sun is a great way to break a sweat and enjoy a beautiful day. However, athletes face some major risks when exercising outdoors. Tennis players are constantly fighting off the effects of sun exposure and dehydration. If you are not used to warm conditions, the heat can suck the energy from your body and the passion from your game.
Proper preparation is essential before facing grueling on-court conditions. With a few simple and critical changes to your pre- and post-game routine, you can ensure that you will walk off the court in great health.
Sun Exposure
Tennis is a year-round sport that is commonly played outdoors. For that reason, sun exposure is a major concern for players and coaches. Skin cancer affects one in five Americans and can be a potentially life-threatening condition. This makes it even more important for athletes who train under the sun to properly educate and prepare themselves before competing outside. Outdoor athletes are under even greater attack, because perspiration intensifies the sun’s rays. When you sweat, very little light exposure is needed to turn the skin pink, meaning you are more susceptible to burns.
The British Academy of Dermatology recommends seeking shade from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, this is the time that most tennis players practice and play. On Tenerife at certain times of the year, it can still be very sunny at 6pm in the evening.
So, the first and most obvious step is to wear sunscreen. Apply sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15, and do so 20 to 30 minutes before you step on the court. I personally use factor 50 and use it every hour during my coaching day. Sunscreen needs to be absorbed by the skin before it can be effective, so don’t wait until you’re rallying to put it on. Apply the sunscreen liberally to any area of your body that will be exposed to the sun “” including your scalp (you can also use a spray for your hair and and scalp if you do not use a cap).
Most people apply only 25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen, so make sure you use it generously and reapply the sunscreen after you’ve been on the court for 30 minutes. If you’re worried that the sunscreen may affect your grip on the racquet, keep a towel in your bag so you can clean your hands.
Sunscreen isn’t the only way to protect your body from the sun, however. Wearing a hat, bandana or visor is a great way to shade your face and block ultraviolet rays. Always keep a hat in your tennis bag. Now that you’re properly protected, try building up your tolerance to the heat by arriving to your match or practice early. Even staying in the shade allows your body to acclimate to the environment, and will make you more efficient at reducing the effects of the heat.
Next week I’ll take a look at combating the dangers of dehydration on court.
