115. WHITE LINEN – SERIOUSLY?!

Travelling on the pro tennis tour takes you all over the world for many weeks at a time, and that means you need to pack with foresight. Only last week, my player and I were in Merida, Mexico where the day-time temperatures were c.+30 deg. Celsius (C). This week we are in Trois-Rivières, north-east of Montreal, Canada and the temperature is -29 deg C! Yes, you read that correctly – MINUS 29 degrees C – or mighty cold in more simple terms! So we had to pack for all weather types – shorts and T shirts for the first week and thick coats, hoodies and gloves for the second.

Why such a crazy schedule some might ask? Well, our options were limited. My player was in the doubles draw of the WTA500 in Mexico – an opportunity not to be missed. After that her choices were somewhat more restricted – not quite there yet for the WTA 1000 in Indian Wells, USA which started this week – and the majority of other options were back in Europe – which didn’t make sense as she is competing Stateside in two weeks time. There was a tournament in Chihuahua, Mexico (yes, there is a town named like the dog), but our research told us that this is “one of the most dangerous states in Mexico” and definitely not a place for female travellers, so we decided to give that one a miss and travel to Canada.

However, the packing dilemma doesn’t end there. A day before we were due to fly to Mexico, my player received an e mail from the tournament organisers inviting her to the Players Party there, which was being held at the start of the event. Sounds like fun, not to mention a free meal, but there was a catch, in the form of a dress code. Players were asked not only to wear white, but if possible white linen! You cannot be serious! We were struggling to get all our clothes (including thick coats, hats and gloves) in our bags, let alone having to now think about finding some white linen to wear to the party. Not a chance! Do these organisers not realise that the majority of players do not travel with (m)any glamorous clothes, as they simply don’t have the room in their bags, nor do they have the time (or money) to go out and buy expensive clothes whilst on the road. Obviously things are different for the top level players who seem to have no baggage limitations, and many of whom (on the women’s side at least) have stylists who assist them, but for the majority, (fancy) dress codes are a nightmare that they simply do not need.

So, if you are a player or a player support person, be prepared for all weather and all eventualities and pack wisely. Lots of layers is the key and clothes that can withstand long periods of time being squashed inside a suitcase ie not linen!

#realitytennis

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