Can You Play Tennis On The Wing Of A Flying Airplane? | MythBusters

A viral video circulating the internet shows two professional tennis players engaged in an intense rally, not on a traditional court, but on the wing of a biplane soaring thousands of feet in the air. The spectacle, featuring tennis star Novak Djokovic, raises an intriguing question: is this an incredible feat of skill and physics, or merely a clever piece of cinematic trickery? The MythBusters team decided to put this high-flying tennis match to the test.

Deconstructing the Aerial Ace

The first step in tackling this myth was to understand the specifics of the original video. The plane in question was identified as an Antonov AN-2, a biplane known for its ability to fly at incredibly low speeds, reportedly as slow as 35 miles per hour. This low speed is crucial, as it would theoretically minimize the wind resistance faced by the players. The core of the myth, therefore, boils down to whether a tennis rally can be sustained on a plane's wing at 35 mph, with all the accompanying wind and vibrations.

Before even considering the aerial challenge, the MythBusters crew faced a more grounded problem: their own tennis skills. With most of the team admitting to being first-timers or having not played since high school, a crash course in tennis was in order. They enlisted the help of Peter Wright, head coach at UC Berkeley, to teach them the fundamentals, particularly focusing on volleying techniques. Key tips included maintaining a firm wrist, keeping the ball out in front, and adjusting for wind conditions. After some practice, the team, surprisingly, showed some aptitude for the game, consistently volleying in calm conditions.