Tennis · Level 5: Upper-Intermediate · Sub-level 5.4

Playing Conditions

4 tests · 40 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

How wind, sun, indoor and outdoor courts, and the surface change the way points should be played.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Playing in the windTake a test

A tailwind carries the ball, so keep it low and add spin.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
A headwind slows a soft ball.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
The wind holds the ball back, so a drop shot dies near the net.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Speed and spin reduce the wind's effect.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
A fast ball spends less time in the air.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Small steps allow quick corrections.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Wind can push the ball out sideways.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Faster, flatter balls are less affected.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
A player checks, aims, adjusts and moves.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · applied
A headwind needs extra height and pace.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · applied

Test 2Sun and lightTake a test

Glare hides a high ball.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
A cap shades the eyes.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
A small adjustment keeps the ball in view.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
The opponent cannot see the ball.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Glare works against the receiver.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Looking straight at the sun hurts the eyes and loses the ball.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Both players face the same sun.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
The higher the ball, the harder it is to see.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
A player notices, shades, adjusts and plays.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · applied
A high ball is hard to track into the sun.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · applied

Test 3Indoor and outdoor playTake a test

A roof removes the weather.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
A low ceiling makes a high lob hard to judge, and the ball may even strike it.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Steady conditions make play predictable.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Artificial light does not change.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Weather adds variables.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Indoors the ball is easier to control.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Warm balls bounce more than cold ones.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
An indoor court is protected most.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
A player warms up, tests, aims and plays.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · applied
A low ceiling limits the lob.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · applied

Test 4Tactics by surfaceTake a test

The slow, high bounce favours patient topspin.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Grass skids and stays low.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Hard courts give a predictable bounce.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
A slow surface lengthens rallies.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
A slow surface rewards variety.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Early contact handles the low bounce.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Speed favours quick, attacking play.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
Points are usually longest on clay.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · recall
A player learns, adapts and plays.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · applied
Clay slows the ball and lengthens points.
Source: General coaching reference (playing conditions) · applied

Sources

ITF coach-education materials, ITF Coaching & Sport Science Review, federation curricula, general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered ITF rules belong to the Rules category.

General coaching reference (playing conditions)40