The Strangest Ritual in Tennis

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Most sports have a strict divide between opponents—teams warm up separately, fighters prepare in isolation, and even friendly pregame interactions are limited. But tennis has a fascinating quirk: before every match, rivals help each other warm up. This tradition isn’t just for show; it allows both players to adjust to the court, get a feel for conditions, and fine-tune their timing.

This practice dates back to tennis’s aristocratic origins, where sportsmanship and etiquette were as important as competition.