Tennis Technology Tuesday
Last Wednesday when we discussed the rules surrounding medical timeouts in tennis, I pledged to share the details of my first aid kit that I carry in my tennis bag. I then promptly forgot about that intention and wrote about a completely separate topic. Oops. The good news is that I have a head start on Tuesday’s post for next week.
It is important for tournament players to have the things they need on court with them. Some basic first aid items are essential. A player who can self-treat medical issues does not have to use a medical timeout timeout to seek treatment. That could be critical if there is a subsequent injury in the match.
I carry my essentials items in a case which is marketed as a jewelry roll. The inside of the pouch contains several transparent zippered pockets in assorted sizes. The whole thing rolls up into a nice compact package. It is about the same size and a little flatter than a tennis ball can. I can easily locate it in my bag. Once I lay my hands on it, I know exactly where to find everything contained within.
My essentials kit contains the obvious first aid items such as band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and pain killers. I also carry a little hydrocortisone cream for itchy bug bites and insect sting relief pads. Triple antibiotic cream is an essential item as it has been shown to both prevent infection and speed the healing process. I have noticed that prepackaged pouch first aid kits almost never include the triple antibiotic cream.
In addition to the first aid items, I keep additional items in my kit to deal with non-medical on-court emergencies. I always have a few safety pins clipped to the bag which are good for wardrobe malfunctions. A travel size hand sanitizer has always been in the kit, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. I keep a spare lip balm with sunblock, as well as antiperspirant wipes on hand as well. The laundry wipes are included because I am the world’s messiest eater.
Less obvious items are nail clippers which can be used to clip sharp overhanging string knots in addition to the obvious primary purpose. I also keep a small sewing kit. I have never actually used it, but it doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Racquet maintenance is also high on my essentials list. I keep spare over-grips, string dampeners, and head tape in my bag. These are smaller items that I also frequently need that are pretty hard to find when they are carried loose in the bag. I also have a spare hair band and hair ties.
The Fiend at Court spousal unit recently received a pouch medical kit as tournament swag. I think that it is a terrific idea for tournament handouts. It is definitely something that all players will eventually use at some point in their tennis life.
I figure there are two types of people who will read this article. Some will have a way better first aid kit than I do and will probably pepper me with comments enumerating the other items that I should have in my kit. Others may be coming to the realization that they are living life on the edge and should perhaps do something about it.
I have provided some links below for anyone who might be starting from scratch. Whether you are starting on a DIY kit with a jewelry roll or augmenting an off the shelf prepackaged kit, everybody needs that triple antibiotic cream.
Fiend At Court participates in the amazon associates program and receives a paid commission on any purchases made via the links in this article. Additional details on the disposition of proceeds from this source are available in the “About Fiend at Court” page.
