Who Says It's Too Cold To Play A Tennis Match

During the winter season, cold mornings raise the question: when is it too cold to play a tennis match?

According to the United States Tennis Association (USTA), it does not enforce a single, nationwide minimum temperature threshold below which outdoor tennis matches are automatically prohibited or canceled. 

The official USTA rules book, Friend at Court (the primary handbook for rules and procedures), addresses inclement weather broadly—including rain, lightning, and heat—but does not specify a universal "too cold" cutoff for play.

Instead, decisions about playing in cold weather are typically handled at the local level, with guidelines varying by region, league, or event organizer. In the Houston, Texas, area, USTA-affiliated tournaments adopt their own cold-weather policies to prioritize player safety, comfort, and fairness. 

Standard thresholds referenced in various USTA regulations include:

• 32°F (0°C) or below: Some older community discussions and local rules allow postponement or rescheduling if temperatures drop to or below freezing, measured at the court level (often at the net's center point), excluding wind chill.
• 40°F (4°C) or below: Several tournaments permit rescheduling if either captain requests it at match time when temperatures are at or below this mark. Some allow optional rescheduling based on forecasted wind chill. Tournaments may recommend delaying starts, shortening formats, or adding protective measures like extra clothing, but not necessarily halting play entirely.

Space City Tennis coaches endorse these USTA guidelines. If you're facing an upcoming match in chilly conditions, your mental preparation during practice is key to success. 

Tennis thrives in all seasons with the right mindset, so prepare yourself and be your best at all times!