How do you play on clay courts?
By betterdays
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
Philippines
June 1, 2012 11:34pm CST
The French Open tennis has already started and I think the favorites are doing well again. We all know that they use a clay court in the French Open. We also know that clay courts are slow courts, which means when the ball bounces on this court it slows down. In your case, how do you play in such slow courts as clay courts or shell courts? Are there some strategies playing in such surface that are different from playing other surfaces?
3 responses
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
2 Jun 12
I have only played in shell courts. Yes, the bounce of the tennis ball is quite different. However, I really don't try to strategize my game based on the type of court I am playing as I am busy trying to focus first on how to play the game first!
Maybe later when I already get the hang of playing the game will I realize to do some strategic planning on what to do on different courts.
Maybe later when I already get the hang of playing the game will I realize to do some strategic planning on what to do on different courts.@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
5 Jun 12
it's good to hear you play tennis as well and on the same surface that I play! Anyway, where in the Philippines do you particularly play at? I play now at Don Enrique which is near BF Homes.
Concerning the strategy, in shell court I try to make myself as fit as possible in running so that I can have a better stamina than my opponents, so I could last long with long rallies. My style of play is retrieving every ball and attack when the opponent hits a weak ball. That is why I like Murray a lot because his style is similar to mine, but of course from an entirely different level...lol.
For hard courts which I sometimes had a time to play, I try to find a way to be more aggressive because I find that in this surface, if you allow your opponent to be more aggressive he would win most of the points, unless his game becomes really so erratic. So I play as consistent as possible but try to make more attacks than I usually do.
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
6 Jun 12
I am playing with my brother and his workmates. Yeah, they say that they do play in tennis courts in BF Homes but I never had a chance yet to do so. I just played in shell court in the place near Don Antonio. I forgot the village. I also played a bit in Brittany which is nearer in Fairview. I still need to practice, practice and practice. I just have to sort out my form and footwork.
@anilhclites (844)
• India
4 Jun 12
The best way to get an answer for it is to see how King of Clay Rafael Nadal approaches to matches on clay. Since French open is going on, you can see abundant of Nadal.
I think it is going to be Nadal vs Djokovic for the title clash and in the end Nadal triumphing over Djokovic.
1 person likes this
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
5 Jun 12
Yes, it's an exciting French Open tennis again and of course Nadal and Djokovic are the two favorites to win. Others who have a chance to fight for that title would be Federer. I guess Murray won't have a good chance due to his injury, but Tsonga is playing well and I know he likes the clay, so I would say he may be a possible contender.
@rafaelnadal007 (731)
• India
2 Jun 12
I used to play tennis since the past 4 years in the same club where only clay courts are available for the students. Grass courts are only for members and they are available in the tournament only. So I know only how to play tennis in clay court. I twice got match in grass court and it felt great playing on some other surface as I got bored playing in the same surface. Due to my high studies I don't participate in any tournaments held in my city but I try to participate in the tournament organized by and held in my club. Whatever I am a slow court player and I think it is good for my style of play as I am quite slow. I usually like to hit rallies and serve volley suits my style as I am a good server. I am a bit slow in court covering despite being a great sprinter and lacks stamina so I am working on it. However back to your topic the way Rafael Nadal plays in the clay court in the most suitable but his style needs lots of strength and it press on arm, shoulder and knees as it is not a natural game like Federer and Djokovic but it looks more stylish than anybody else. Djokovic is also picking up very well but he is yet to win in the Roland Garros final.
1 person likes this
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
5 Jun 12
I would agree that the style of Nadal really works well in clay, but the condition should really be so good to be able to play like that. Anyway, I think fast servers lessen their advantage in clay courts because when they serve, the player on the other side can have better possibilities of returning their serve because it slows down upon hitting the clay. Anyway, like you I also used to join tournaments in our club and we use a similar surface which is a shell court, it's like a clay court that is covered with fine shells.
