Beat the heat: five tips to   stay cool this summer

Summer is right around the corner, and with the weather heating up outside, it's a great time to plan ahead and think about ways to stay cool on court. So before you grab your racquet and head to the court, here are five tips for beating the heat when playing a game of tennis:

1. Wear light-colored clothing with wicking fabric to decrease heat retention and keep your body cooler. Consider having a change of dry clothes with you, as well.
2. For match play, make sure that you hydrate both the day BEFORE the match, as well as the day you are playing.
   
3. If you are unsure about whether you are properly hydrated, check your urine. It should be clear or a pale-yellow color.
   
4. Stay out of the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's rays are the strongest. This is also important for limiting skin exposure.
   
5. Consider using ice bags or ice towels and placing them on your groin, your underarms, the back of your neck and abdomen.