Why Do Tennis Players Blow on Their Hands & Fingers?

Many tennis fans notice players blowing on their hands or fingers during matches. It looks simple, yet it always sparks curiosity about what it actually does on court.

This blog post digs into the practical and mental reasons behind the practice, touches on similar behaviours in other sports, and highlights a few of the other routines players rely on.

By the end, you will have a clearer picture of what is really going on when you see that quick breath across the fingertips. Read on to learn more.

Why Do Tennis Players Blow on Their Hands During Matches?

Blowing on the hands serves a couple of straightforward aims. Temperature control is one of them. In cooler conditions, blood flow to the fingers can reduce, which makes them feel stiff and less responsive. Breathing warm air onto the skin can help ease that stiffness and restore a bit of feel on the grip.

Moisture is the other common issue. During a long rally or in humid weather, sweat builds up and reduces friction between the hand and the handle. A brief blow can help shift surface moisture and make the hand feel drier for the next point. Players often pair this with towelling off, swapping overgrips, or adjusting their grip position to regain a secure hold.

There is also a mental side. Short, familiar actions between points act as a reset. A focused breath, a glance at the strings, and the small pause created by blowing on the fingers can steady concentration and bring the player back to their plan for the next shot. It is not about copying a trend, but about maintaining a repeatable routine under pressure.

These reasons often overlap: a player might be managing grip and mindset at the same time. And that mix of comfort and focus is not unique to tennis.

Do Athletes in Other Sports Do the Same?

Yes, it appears across many sports, usually for the same practical reasons. In cold conditions, rugby and football players breathe on their hands while waiting to receive a pass or take a kick, aiming to keep touch and feel. Goalkeepers do it before corners. Cricketers warm their fingers in the slips to improve reaction and catch security.

In indoor sports, the focus shifts to moisture. Basketball players blow on their hands or rub them on their kit to improve grip before a free throw. Gymnasts and weightlifters use chalk to dry the skin; the quick breath and hand rub you sometimes see is a lighter version of that idea. Baseball and snooker offer similar examples: rosin for pitchers, a brief blow to steady cue grip for cueists.

Across all of these, the gesture is small, quick, and purposeful. It prepares the hands and clears the head without breaking rhythm.

Other Unusual Rituals Followed by Tennis Players

Tennis is full of routines that might look quirky from the outside but serve clear purposes. The classic example is the pre-serve bounce. Some players bounce the ball a set number of times to lock in rhythm, control breathing, and start the serve with the same tempo every time. The aim is consistency under time pressure, especially with a serve clock in place.

Courtside practices matter, too. Water bottles placed in a particular order, towels folded just so, or sitting in the same spot during changeovers help create a familiar environment in a setting that constantly changes. That sense of order can make decision-making feel calmer when the scoreline tightens.

There are technical rituals as well. Straightening strings between points can be a quick check-in with tension and feel. Adjusting the overgrip, wiping the palm, or resetting the stance before return helps the body prepare for the next action. Some players wear the same accessories or follow the same warm-up sequence because it signals to the brain that it is time to compete.

Looked at together, these small behaviours reduce variables. They make each point feel like part of a well-rehearsed routine rather than a brand-new problem to solve.

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_{**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.}