A tennis match can wait; lightning cannot. If you hear thunder while playing outdoors, stop immediately and get to a substantial enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle. A covered bench, open-sided pavilion, or the shelter of a tree is not a safe place to ride out a storm.
Knowing what to do before a storm reaches your courts helps players, parents, coaches, and facility staff act without hesitation. Here’s how to recognize the danger, find proper shelter, and decide when it’s safe to return to play.
When to Stop Playing Tennis
If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be at risk from lightning. Don’t wait for rain, a nearby flash, or an official court announcement. Lightning can strike well ahead of the rain, and a blue patch of sky overhead does not mean the court is safe.
Stop the point and leave the court as soon as thunder is heard. Players should not finish a game, collect stray balls, or take time to pack every bag. Head to shelter using the shortest safe route. If a storm is approaching and your facility has a lightning alert system, follow its instructions—but don’t rely on an app or a detector as a substitute for acting when you hear thunder.
Where to Take Shelter
The safest choices are a substantial, fully enclosed building or a vehicle with a hard metal roof and the windows closed. A clubhouse or nearby building is usually the best option. Once inside, stay there until the storm has passed and the waiting period is over.
| Location | What to do |
|---|---|
| Enclosed clubhouse or building | Go inside and stay away from open doors and windows during the storm. |
| Hard-topped car with windows closed | Use it as shelter if no suitable building is close. Avoid touching metal parts connected to the car’s exterior. |
| Open-sided pavilion or court canopy | Do not treat it as safe shelter; move to an enclosed building or hard-topped vehicle. |
| Tree, fence, light pole, or court bench | Do not shelter under or beside these objects. Continue to proper shelter if you can do so safely. |
Outdoor tennis courts offer little protection. Move away from the playing surface, chain-link fencing, light poles, nets, and other exposed metal as you leave. Don’t stop under a lone tree or gather beneath a small shelter just because it is closer. If you’re at a public park, check ahead for the nearest building or designated safe shelter; some courts are a long walk from one.
What If There Is No Shelter Nearby?
There is no fully safe outdoor position in a lightning storm. Keep moving toward a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle if you can do so safely. Avoid exposed areas, hilltops, isolated trees, water, and metal fencing or equipment.
If you are caught outside with no shelter close by, crouch as low as possible with your feet together and your head tucked down. Make as little contact with the ground as you can. This is a last resort, not a safe alternative to getting indoors. Do not lie flat on the ground, and do not huddle in a group.
How Long to Wait Before Returning to the Court
Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming outdoor play. If thunder sounds again, restart the clock. The same caution applies if another flash is followed by thunder. Follow your facility’s rules if they require a longer wait or use a formal all-clear system.
Don’t use the rain stopping as your signal to return. Thunderstorms can produce lightning even when rain has eased or the storm seems to be moving away. A tournament official, coach, or facility manager should give a clear all-clear before players head back onto the courts.
Simple Lightning Safety Steps for Clubs and Coaches
- Decide who calls the suspension. At a club or tournament, players and staff should know who is responsible for stopping play and announcing the all-clear.
- Identify shelter before play begins. Tell players where the nearest enclosed building or hard-topped vehicles are, especially at remote park courts.
- Agree on a communication plan. Use a clear announcement or message so players on every court hear the warning. Do not assume everyone can see the same sky.
- Build in time to clear the courts. Junior groups and large events may need extra time to reach shelter safely.
- Keep the rule simple. Hearing thunder means stop and seek shelter; play resumes only after the required wait and official all-clear.
Players can help by checking the forecast before a match and knowing the venue’s shelter plan. Weather apps are useful for spotting a developing storm, but they cannot guarantee that a court is safe at a particular moment.
If Someone Is Struck by Lightning
Call emergency services immediately. A person struck by lightning does not carry an electrical charge, so it is safe to touch them. If they are not breathing normally, begin CPR if you know how, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available. Follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.
Do not delay care while waiting for the storm to end. Move the injured person to safety only if you can do so without putting yourself in immediate danger. If more than one person is injured, tell the dispatcher and follow their directions for getting help to everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep playing if I see lightning but hear no thunder?
Stop play and move to proper shelter. Don’t wait to hear thunder or assume that a distant-looking flash cannot reach your location. Follow your facility’s lightning policy and wait for its all-clear.
Is a covered tennis-court shelter safe during lightning?
An open-sided shelter or canopy is not a safe substitute for a substantial enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle. Use it only if your facility’s emergency plan specifically directs you there and no safer option is available.
When can we return to the court after a storm?
Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder, restarting the count if thunder is heard again. Follow any stricter local or facility rules and wait for the person in charge to give the all-clear.
Is it safe to touch someone who has been struck by lightning?
Yes. Lightning victims do not retain an electrical charge. Call emergency services, provide CPR if needed and if you can, and use an AED if one is available.
Final Thoughts
For outdoor tennis, the safest lightning rule is straightforward: thunder means stop, leave the court, and get to a substantial enclosed building or hard-topped vehicle. Stay sheltered for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder, then return only when conditions and your facility’s instructions allow it. A match can be rescheduled; a risky decision can have lasting consequences.
