Sun exposure and skin protection

A nice perk of going to the tennis tournament this time of year is the weather. It has been beautiful. In fact, some may argue that it has almost been too nice in terms of sun and warmth. During Andy Roddick's match today, a large cheer went up from the crowd during a changeover. It didn't have anything to do with what was happening on the court, or even on the scoreboard. No...it was because sudden cloud cover over the court provided some shaded relief. Players are well aware of the constant sun exposure that they get. The ATP Medical services actually started an awareness program regarding skin protection and throughout the year, there are several dermatology screening sessions available to players. Most players wear sunscreen constantly. And, many more players today are wearing hats (and it isn't just for the fashion statement). Recreational players should take note of this. Even though they may only be on the court for an hour or so during a hot afternoon, that is plenty of time for one to get sun burned! Sunscreen and hats shouldn't be reserved for the competitors....spectators and recreational players alike need to protect themselves.