Heat sears players in state team tennis event

"Ain't no sunshine when she's gone."

Under the circumstances Saturday at the USTA League Tennis Adult and Senior Tennessee State Championships at complexes throughout Chattanooga, "she" perhaps should away for a while.

The heat was the headlining story at the Champions Club, where temperatures up to 99 degrees started to take their toll on the player. One participant mentioned that after her first match, she went back to her hotel room with thoughts about heading back to Nashville but was convinced by her teammates to return to the tournament.

"If you're looking for a story, you might have one if I pass out on the court," she said with a laugh.

Tournament director Daneen Newkirk said all possible preparations were made to combat the heat.

"We are prepared at all sites with bottled water and bananas for the players," she said. "I approached local businesses before the tournaments and asked them to donate Powerade. We received some Powerade mixes that we've replenished during the day and alert all teams at check-in to prepare for matches with water and Powerade and to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and overhydrate. We've even allowed more time for players to hydrate in between changeovers and set points.

"The thing is, unless physical fitness is an activity of yours or you're a personal trainer, you won't be prepared for this type of weather."

Newkirk also said that nearby fire/EMT stations were alerted about the event schedule and a possible larger number of calls.

"We've also scheduled matches to where there are four hours between matches and that, no matter what, there are no more than two matches (per team) a day," she said.

"The thing is, these players are amateurs -- not professionals. As much as one can tell them to hydrate, they won't be prepared. Their ultimate goal is a national championship, but they can't get that if they're six feet under."