Hard, grass and soil: what are the main coatings of tennis courts

The surface of the tennis court plays an important role in the final result of the match. It largely determines the nature and pace of the match, the speed and height of the ball rebound, as well as the level of load on tennis players. We deal with the three main types of surfaces on which the matches of the Grand Slam tournaments take place.

Grunt

The ground coating is traditionally made from a mixture of crushed brick, clay, limestone and other mineral materials. It has a characteristic red, green or gray color. On the ground is the Paris “major” Roland Garros.

Features:

slow pace of the game;

high and often unpredictable rebound of the ball;

a good opportunity for sliding;

reduced load on joints compared to hard coatings;

the need for regular care.

On the ground, the ball slows down noticeably after rebounding, losing 30% to 40% of its horizontal speed, so draws are often long. This coating is especially suitable for players who prefer long exchanges of blows and actively use the rotation of the ball.

On the ground, such blows as "candle" and shortened are extremely effective. A high rebound allows the ball to move deep behind the opponent's back, forcing him to turn around and run back, which on viscous ground can be difficult.

The main disadvantage of dirt courts is dependence on weather conditions. After rain, the site becomes unsuitable for play, and when drying out, cracks and irregularities may appear on the surface. The court should be regularly watered, leveled and updated top layer.

Grass

Herbal coating is considered one of the most traditional and prestigious. It is used, for example, in the oldest Wimbledon tournament in London. On this "major" since 2001, a mixture consisting of 70% of ryegrass and 30% of mint has been used. It guarantees the necessary springiness and durability. However, even such a lineup can not withstand more than a week of intense play without repair.

Until the mid-1970s, grass was the main cover in tournaments.

Features:

fast pace of the game;

lower and more sliding rebound;

ы short pranks;

high role of feeding and exit to the grid;

the advantage of attacking players;

low efficiency of impacts with strong rotation;

high load on the muscles of the thighs;

sensitivity to weather and intensity of operation.

On the grass, the ball often bounces lower and is extremely unpredictable. Therefore, tennis players have to react quickly and master the technique of pitching and playing well from the summer. According to the ITF, the average height of the ball rebound on grass courts is 20-24 centimeters. This is about half lower than on hard (42-45 centimeters) and soil (more than 50 centimeters).

The disadvantage of this court is the complexity of maintenance and a high risk of injury. The lawn should be regularly cut, watered, restored and protected from wear. After a large number of matches, individual areas can be damaged quickly, especially in the pitch area and at the back line.

Hard is a hard coating that is usually created on the basis of concrete or asphalt with the application of several acrylic layers. It is widespread due to its versatility, durability and relative ease of maintenance.

Features:

medium or fast pace of the game;

medium and stable and predictable rebound;

universality for players of different styles;

к high wear resistance;

ы puts a serious strain on the joints.

Hard is the choice of most modern major tournaments, including the Australian Open in Melbourne and the US Open in New York.

Hard is suitable for both professional competitions and amateur venues. It does not require complex daily care and can be used almost all year round in favorable weather. However, the stiffness of the coating increases the load on the knees, ankle and spine. To reduce injuries, it is important to use quality shoes with properly selected depreciation.