Polyester vs Cotton: which material to choose for your tennis clothes?

Cotton is a material we all love. Soft, comfortable, and natural, it's perfect for everyday use. On a tennis court, however, its qualities become its biggest flaws. The fundamental problem with cotton is simple: it's a real sponge.

Why is cotton a handicap during play?

• It absorbs moisture: Instead of wicking away sweat, cotton absorbs and retains it. A cotton t-shirt can thus hold several times its weight in water.
• It becomes heavy and sticky: Once soaked with sweat, the garment becomes heavy, sticks to the skin, and hinders your freedom of movement, which is particularly bothersome when serving.
• It causes irritation: A damp fabric rubbing against the skin is the main cause of irritation and painful chafing during long matches.
• It dries very slowly: Cotton takes a very long time to dry. During a break or if the wind picks up, the cold sensation of a damp garment can cause shivers and contract your muscles.

In summary, while cotton can be pleasant for a very light warm-up in cool weather, it becomes a real handicap as soon as the intensity of play increases.

In contrast to cotton, polyester and other synthetic materials (such as elastane or spandex) are designed for athletic performance. Their main quality is being hydrophobic: they don't absorb water; they repel it.

The "Wicking Effect": the technology that keeps you dry

Technical sports apparel works through a process called "wicking" (evacuation). The special weave of polyester microfibers acts like a network of channels that draw sweat from your skin's surface to the outside of the garment. Once on the surface, the perspiration spreads out and evaporates very quickly upon contact with the air. This is the principle behind well-known technologies like Dri-FIT (Nike) or AEROREADY (Adidas).

Concrete advantages on the court

• You stay dry: your skin remains dry, which significantly improves your comfort and concentration.
• Your outfit stays light: the garment doesn't soak up water and retains its initial lightness, allowing you to move with agility.
• You avoid irritation: a dry fabric does not cause chafing, thus protecting your skin.
• You regulate your temperature better: rapid sweat evaporation helps your body cool down naturally and efficiently.