You can only think of how a court surface can work for any game. Well, different players take over the surface and it offers a great deal to the game. You will be surprised to know that such a change can have a visible effect on the game.
Playing a game also depends on the court surface. Not only this, but championships lost or won mainly depends on how seriously the players take the court.
In particular, Grand Slam tennis tournaments require different surfaces to let the game happen. For instance, the French Open requires red clay for effective gameplay.
Before getting further, we should know more about Grand Slam tennis tournaments.
What Are Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments?
Grand Slam tournaments consist of different championships. It mainly includes the French Open, Australian Open, US, and Wimbledon Open. Grand Slam is a term used for the winner of all four events that the player achieves in a single year.
However, the four different clay tennis tournaments that happen are quite valuable and known as Grand Slam. Any player who wins all of these four events in a year is said to have completed a Calendar-Year Grand Slam. The players have to play all of these four tournaments in a single or same year, which makes them eligible for winning a Grand Slam. It is referred to as the highest accomplishment in the world of tennis.
The tournament is essential for all the top tennis players in the world. Before the 1907s, clay tennis tournaments were open for the participation of both professional and amateur athletes.
In every manner, the tournament is quite crucial to tennis players. They not only receive cash prizes and global recognition but also maximum ranking points in the world. In clay tennis tournaments, the main exposure is given to men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. The tournament encourages young players to participate in the championship.
Let’s look deeper into the four different Grand Slam tournaments that take place in clay courts:
Australian Open:
One of the tennis tournaments that take place in Melbourne. It happened in the second half of January at Melbourne Park, which is the site of the Australian Open. The tournaments are played on hard courts.
French Open:
The tournaments begin at the end of May and start of June. It takes place in Paris, France. Here, the court is made of red clay at Roland Garros. These matches last for four or more hours.
Wimbledon:
The first match took place in 1877. It is the oldest tennis match held in the world. The tournaments often take place in London, England during June and July. These matches are played on grass courts.
US Open:
It is one of the Grand Slam tennis tournaments, which has been held annually since the beginning. It is the second-oldest tournament to ever take place in the USA. The US Open mainly occurs at the end of August or the first half of September in New York. It uses hard courts for tournaments.
- The French Open (Roland Garros) – One Of The Clay Tennis Tournaments
In 1891, the first championship of the French Open on sand courts took place. The court was moved to different locations in France until the final settlement was made in 1928. It is then taken to the red clay courts at Paris’ Stade Roland-Garros.
From 1897, women were encouraged to participate in the tournament. However, until 1925, French women made teams that participated in different matches. The French Open establishment took place when foreign athletes became a part of it. Hence, around 168 competitors took part in the global competition.
Roland-Garros is one of the tournaments in which all linguistic variations take place. Perhaps, native English language players were exclusively a part of the French Open. Both tournaments bear the same location and name Roland Garros in honor of the French aviator.
French Open is one of the four tennis tournaments, which is played on red clay. It mainly lasts for two weeks and is often held between May and June. The championship caters to men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
- Red Clay Courts
Red clay courts make French Open tournaments set apart. It caters to different sports and every sport has a different impact. This is the only tournament that takes place on red clay courts today. Also, the court is quite difficult to handle the tournaments.
The matches are relatively longer and physically more demanding. Due to this fact, people think that the French Open is a physically and emotionally taxing global tournament.
- Factors That Make Red Clay Courts Different From Others
The type of surface court plays a vital role in players’ performances. Also, it impacts the overall tournament and thus, it is important to choose court surface wisely.
For instance, a red clay court is one of the most difficult courts to play on. Although it has three types of surfaces, each of the surfaces has its pros and cons.
In Spanish countries, these surfaces are often known as Arcilla or Tierra Batida. These surfaces have some special characteristics. The clay of these courts is processed before it is made ready for the tournament. Also, the actual color also differs from one place to another.
England is the first country to develop red clay courts. The main reason for bringing the development live is that the grass courts were not suitable enough. They used to scorch under the harsh summer season. So, red clay courts came into existence.
Well, it’s a myth that the court is made of red clay. Instead, the surface comprises crushed stone, unbounded mineral, shale, or brick that mixes together and is rolled and compressed to provide a layer on the playing surface.
Due to obvious reasons, these courts require more maintenance compared to other courts. The playing conditions also become harder and it is not too dry or too wet. The court is definitely a cheaper way to let the sport become healthy and effective.
Of all the materials, clay is the most supple one. Hence, it moves slowly. Compared to other clay tennis tournaments, this one decelerates the ball more, and hence, the bounce rate is quite higher. This is because the ball is better captured here and it also absorbs momentum.
Well, there are some visible advantages of red clay too. Some of the prominent ones include:
- Red clay prevents injury since it makes the surface soft
- Allows more shots back on clay
- Enhances decision-making abilities as it allows long points
Some of the disadvantages of red clay surface for various tournaments are as follows:
- Red clay becomes unpredicted and thus, sports might get difficult to play
- Court becomes different for every season and therefore, bounce becomes less
- Clay alters the court’s atmosphere
- Red clay courts are often slow
Final Thoughts
Currently, the French Open is the only Grand Slam tournament that is played on a red clay surface. Since there are so many other tournaments listed in the Grand Slam, the French Open has unique features and thus, it is only preferred to play on red clay courts.
Red clay is formed by mixing crushed stone, shale, brick, or another unbound mineral mixture. The material makes the surface smooth, strong, and effective for all obvious reasons. The court’s texture affects how the ball spins and returns. Also, it favors defensive play that often players prefer. It allows players to conserve more energy on the ground since it helps them drift the shot rather than completely stop it.
