On tennis forum I recently posed the question why more tennis player's don't seem to wear compression clothing. Respondents to the post where just as mystified as I am as to why these technical sport clothes, used in a wide variety of other sports, haven't as yet penetrated the tennis circuit.
On Amazon, compression manufacturer Linebreak explain,
'compression garments are designed to offer both temperature regulation benefits along with the therapeutic benefits of muscle compression. Combined, you get a garment that is proven in research to reduce fluid loss in warm and humid conditions whilst stopping you from getting chilled in the cold, plus a garment that increses blood flow during exercise to reduce lactic acid build up, reduce energy expenditure during exercise, reduce muscle vibration, and support the joints, whilst worn after exercise, and even in bed, the garment speeds up your recovery time by 'flushing out' the waste product from your muscles making you feel fresher and ready to go again the following day'.
Having worn various compression garments myself, from Linebreak, Under Armour, and 2XU, I can say that the claims in the blurb are pretty reliable. The stuff does work. Certainly, in terms of post exercise recovery I can say that I notice this clothing makes me feel fresher. If for some reason I missed a couple of weeks training, compression wear eases my road back to fitness. I am able to do more sooner, and I don't think simply as a result of my own residual fitness.
I wear compression clothing for running, cycling, or just knocking a tennis ball against the wall for a couple of hours.
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Elena wearing compression shorts underneath her skort
The only tennis players I know to have worn compression garments are Martina Navratilova, Jill Craybas, Bobby Ginepri, and Elena Dementieva. Three of these four players have worn apparel by American manufacturer Under Armour. Martina is such an enthusiast for Under Armour that she has an endorsement deal with them. I've been most impressed by Linebreak myself, and the Under Armour baselayer is good too.
As we all know, Walter Bartoli is always one step ahead of the game. I'm sure as a doctor he has given consideration to the possible therapeutic benefits of compression technology. Indeed compression socks have been used in a clinical setting also.
Tennis players will wear strapping as a reactive response to an injury or a known weakness area. I see compression as the sensible anticipatory approach before troubles get a chance to take hold. But even if the benefits are modest, or merely placebo, it's still worth a try isn't it?
So far I have never seen Marion wear compression clothing during matches or on the practice court. The issue for me is whether Marion can benefit from compression clothing, because all too frequently through no fault of her own she has been affected by various small injuries throughout the course of this season or simply felt too exhausted to perform to her full potential. Compression clothing may help to alleviate certain symptoms. Not a panacea, but a help.
I understand Nike are introducing their own range of compression clothing geared to the tennis market, under the Tech Fit range. The fact that it's Nike may dovetail nicely for Marion, as she has worn Nike apparel pretty much since Wimbledon 2007. And of course, the wearing of compression doesnt' necessarily have to interfere with her wearing her own wonderful red and white Nike outfit. :)
NB. A season review is now up on www.marion-bartoli.net (it will be edited and reposted here in several days)
