The Season Of The Grinder by Justin Chaffee

Written by: on 15th April 2014
Tennis Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters
The Season Of The Grinder by Justin Chaffee

epa04167436 Tommy Robredo (front) of Spain serves the ball to David Goffin of Belgium during their first round match at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 14 April 2014. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER  |

Mention the French Open to a tennis fan and most likely the first image that pops into their mind is a red clay court. The clay court season has arrived and it is arguably the most challenging surface as well as fun surface to play on. Red clay courts are made up of crushed shale, stone, or brick and unlike a hard court they demand a lot of care to be maintained. For the clay court to play at its best requires a watering system, as well as bags of calcium chloride to ensure the court does not dry out. It also needs to be brushed after a long day of playing, and rolled a couple times a week, but despite this attention what the clay court offers in return is a unique and fun experience.

 

I am a believer that if you grow up playing on a clay court, it is an advantage to those learning to play on a hard court. You can learn how to slide naturally, as well as construct points. This is one of the major advantages European players over Americans on the surface. They were raised on it. Now the more time you devote to playing on the clay, the more your game will improve. You will become involved in longer rallies, and it will test your shot tolerance and patience. Think about it. When we play on a hard court we get a consistent bounce, and the points are shorter, and they play is a bit faster. One of the major benefits a clay court teaches the tennis player is to anticipate shots because we do not always get that perfect ball bounce. The ball could skid low, or kick up high depending on the clay surface, it challenges us to make these quick adjustments. Clay also allows for longer rallies, since the surface slows down the ball. It also supports the players that hit with topspin and those grinders that play behind the baseline. To win a clay court tournament, or even the French, we know you have to be a grinder, you have to be resilient and in great shape to endure those long rallies, like a boxer taking a series of body blows.

 

On a hard court and grass court the player that wins is most likely the more aggressive player that has the bigger weapons. In contras, on clay, the one left standing is the one that is the ultimate grinder. Take a look at Rafael Nadal. He is the epitome of a clay court tennis player. He has the heavy topspin, the big forehand, but he is a warrior from the baseline, not only physically, but mentally. He can play from the baseline it seems all day long, and grind down his opponents with his constant fight. When you tune into the French Open this year or any of the warm up events watch a match, you will be able to see tennis at its best with the athletes being tested both mentally and physically to their limits, something a hard court or grass court cannot fully duplicate.

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