Tennis players blow on their hands and fingers mainly for two practical reasons related to maintaining a good grip on their racquets during a match:
- Managing Sweat and Grip: In hot and humid conditions, players' hands get sweaty, making the racquet handle slippery. Blowing on their hands helps dry the sweat quickly through evaporation, providing a momentary but important firmer grip. It is often quicker and more convenient than using a towel or changing grips frequently during points.
- Warming Hands in Cold Weather: In colder weather, players blow on their hands to warm them up temporarily. Cold fingers can become numb, weakening the grip and reducing dexterity. Blowing warm breath on the fingers helps maintain hand comfort and responsiveness.
Additionally, some players use blowing on their hands as part of their between-point ritual to help focus and calm their nerves. It can also provide a brief relief from discomfort such as friction burns caused by gripping and swinging the racquet. Some players also blow on their racquet strings in cold weather to keep them more flexible. Thus, blowing on hands is a simple but effective way for tennis players to improve grip, comfort, and mental readiness during matches in varying weather conditions.
