Ivan Lendl kept sawdust in his pocket during tennis matches to help dry his hand and maintain a firm grip on the racket. The unusual habit became one of the most recognizable details of his intense playing style.
Lendl was known for a powerful, physically demanding game and a heavy topspin forehand. Perspiration could make a player’s hand slippery, especially during long matches, so he used sawdust as a simple drying aid. He would rub his hand in it between points or during changeovers, leaving traces of sawdust around the court.
The practice was particularly associated with Lendl’s matches during the 1980s and early 1990s. Modern players more commonly use towels, grip-enhancing products, or approved drying materials, but sawdust was a memorable piece of old-school tennis equipment and court culture.
Sawdust was not a racket technology or a secret ball-control device. Its purpose was practical: reducing moisture on Lendl’s palm so he could hold the racket securely. Lendl won eight Grand Slam singles titles and spent extensive periods ranked world No. 1, making the quirky ritual familiar to generations of tennis fans.