2022 In Between Grand Slam Thread

Dunning Kruger effect hits the boards tennis forum!

How could anyone with even basic knowledge of tennis or indeed a tennis ball argue that clay which slows down the ball far more when a ball bounces off it is where super-fast movement is more important than on a hardcourt where the ball comes off the surface far more quickly giving the player less time to get to a ball.

Furthermore the ball bounces high off the clay giving the opponent an easier job to get it versus the lower bounce off the hardcourt.

Very basic stuff!

Here's a bit of a 101-level run-down

Slow courts

Slow courts make the ball bounce higher and slower. 

Therefore, players have more time to prepare their strokes. On clay courts, points are usually slower, and matches are longer. In addition, players often find themselves sliding along the courts. In general, clay courts are hard on the body, leaving players more tired after matches than they would be on grass or hard surface courts. Clay courts favour base-line players who prefer to wait for the ball at the back of the court rather than approach the net.

Fast courts

Fast courts make the ball bounce faster and lower, especially grass courts. 

Players must move fast and play with short strokes because the speed of the ball leaves little time for preparation. This means, on fast courts, players should be aggressive, cutting off angles, and approaching the net as much as possible. A strong service game is also important for fast court players. A fast and effective serve can help players to begin the point aggressively and maintain control. 

Coric has come back from a break down to smash Tsitsipas in the first-set tie-break

He's able to get great angles on his backhand and is serving well

Guy was out for a full year after surgery having had long-term shoulder issues up to that but really having a dream comeback now (was as high as ATP 12 before)

Azarenka has just turned 33 but really thought she looked very bad against Raducanu.

Coric is in some shape physically - ripped.

From coming close to quitting tennis a year ago to this is some turnaround and unexpected even by himself

If his resurgence holds without injury recurrence could be a serious player

He mentioned recently how he got a bit complacent before his injury when he was a Top 20 player but recognises that now.

Thanks for the morning laugh about the "clay court movement logic" about longer points due to the slower surface!

"It's more important to be faster on a slower surface than on a faster surface"

This is ground-breaking stuff.

Endurance is about stamina.

That's a very different thing ..

Humour is most effective in the morning I find.

I never said that Alcaraz was going to win any title so not sure what I'm wrong on!

Alcaraz is a few months past 19 and he's No.4 in the world having risen from absolutely nowhere in the last year.

The guy is the highest ranked 19 year old male player since Nadal - he's literally the best-performing young male player in over 15 years!

What a complete disaster he is lol.

What i did actually say is that in my opinion Alcaraz's greatest strengths lend to be being more advantageous strengths on hard courts.

As for movement i specifically alluded to Alcaraz's fast movement attribute - he's possibly the fastest mover ever seen on a hardcourt where fast movement is a greater advantage than on clay courts because the player needs to get to the faster moving and lower bouncing ball on hardcourt in a quicker timeframe.

Hence he has a greater relative advantage on faster courts.

The mental gymnastics diarrhea efforts about slow clay courts and longer points in that regard is a constant gift of amusement!

Also as I had said his powerful forehand, one of the fastest on tour, especially his flat inside out forehand is more damaging on faster courts than slower courts because when it's moving faster it's more likely to result in a winner or an error for the opponent- another relative greater advantage on hardcourt.

This is very simple logic (for those not focused on peddling some complete rubbish in the forlorn hope that they appear "right" or something something but the peddling is actually a narrative that wouldn't pass muster with a small child).