Tennis headbands and wristbands can help to up your performance and make you feel far more comfortable during your game. Without these essential bits of kit, you could be hindering your performance! If you want to learn more about these accessories and why you should be using them, read on!
A History Of Headbands
Headbands have been a popular accessory for 2500 years. The Greeks started off this trend by wearing them for special events and sports games, and it spread like wildfire. More recently, people have even been awarded laurel wreaths after sporting events in the Olympic Games.
People then began to wear headbands for health reasons in the early 20th century. They thought that if you wore them tight enough, you could actually prevent headaches. It was only in the 1920s that headbands exploded onto the fashion scene. Think of all of the flapper girls and The Great Gatsby. But then there was also Suzanne Lenglen. She was the first female tennis celebrity and she always wore her flapper style headband when she played.
It wasn’t long before adored starlets such as Audrey Hepburn adopted the headband trend, and women all around the world caught on. In the 60s and 70s, you’d often spot hippies wearing ‘flower child’ headbands. It was around this time that sport’s headbands also became more popular than ever.
Tennis stars such as Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe wore sports headbands for their games, and other sport’s stars followed suit. Bjorn Borg wore patterned headbands to keep his fringe in place, usually in stripes or paisley. John McEnroe was well known for his bright red headband, which suited his temperament on the court quite well. Steffi Graf usually wore a twisted bandana to keep sweat from dripping into her eyes. Even sporting amateurs started rocking the sport’s headband to emulate their favorite athletes. By the 1980s’ terry cotton headbands were absolutely everywhere. People like Jane Fonda and Olivia Newton-John often rocked this look, although in aerobics rather than tennis. They usually wore their headbands with neon workout gear. Just about anybody who worked out had one of these cotton headbands.
Many tennis stars still sport the sweatband today. This includes Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, and Rafael Nadal. Some tennis stars match theirs to their tennis outfits, while others choose a headband in a loud pattern. Andre Agassi is a well-remembered tennis player in history who always wore a headband. He kept his long, bleached hair in place with his colored headband. It was only afterward word got out that his hair was really a wig.
Read: Sweatbands in Tennis: Fashion or Function?
Serena Williams is possibly one of the most notable tennis stars when it comes to wearing headbands. She always makes sure her headbands show off who she is, telling people a little about her personality. She actually caused a big stir at Wimbledon in 2012, where players are supposed to wear all white clothing. She wore white clothing but paired it with a purple headband and matching wristbands. She was allowed to play that way in the end, even though some people complained. She ended up winning the tournament! Arguably the greatest female player in tennis history.
Different Kinds Of Headbands And Wristbands
There are many different kinds of headbands and wristbands. You can always find the right product for your individual needs. You can buy brightly colored headbands/wristbands to show off your personality, as well as those that show what you stand for. For example, you can display a cause close to you, such as the breast cancer awareness ribbon. You can even celebrate Movember! Whatever sport’s game you’re taking part in, headbands and wristbands can help you to up your game. You’ll feel more comfortable while telling people a bit about you too. It’s rare to spot a tennis player on the court without a headband or wristband.
Using Your Sweatbands
Using your sweatbands should help you to improve your performance and concentration on the court. No forgetting that they help you to make a fashion statement. You could be playing tennis for hours. Many people play intensely, and often in the sunshine. This means players can find sweat a big problem! Although wearing sweatbands isn’t required, they are very useful. So, how do you use them to get the most from them?
- Start by choosing a high-quality sweatband. Make sure they offer a high absorbency, especially if you sweat a lot as you play. Choose styles that suit your personality, that you’ll enjoy wearing with your other sport’s gear. You may need multiple sets depending on how much you sweat while you play.
- Wear your wristbands at the end of your wrist, but make sure you’re not completely covering the wrist. You still need to be able to move it properly while you play. The band will soak up sweat from your arms and stop your hands from getting sweaty.
- Use your sweatbands to wipe sweat from your forehead before it has a chance to get into your eyes.
Wearing tennis headbands and wristbands is so much more than just a fashion statement or trend. If you really want to give it your all on the court and perform to the best of your ability, you should invest in this bit of kit. You might just find your game improves ten-fold. You won’t regret following in some of the biggest tennis star’s footsteps!