[dhrishiasv]

USTA Installing Clay Courts at National Tennis Center in Queens
By Mason Levinson
May 13 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Tennis Association would like developing American players to do some sliding on clay.

With the French Open -- the only tennis Grand Slam to use clay courts -- starting in 10 days in Paris, four clay-surfaced tennis courts are being installed at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Queens borough of New York. It is part of a push to improve Americans’ play on clay, and it’s the first appearance of such courts since the facility opened in 1978.

A decade ago there was little effort to introduce future U.S. tennis pros to clay-court tennis, Gordon Smith, the executive director of the USTA, said today at a media gathering in New York to promote Tennis Month. Poor international results during the clay-court season and the criticism that has followed have led to change.

“Clay was definitely not a high priority,” Smith said. “Now, every player who comes through the USTA system will have a very strong grounding in clay-court tennis.”

Statistics show that a foundation on clay can help the top pros. Of the 103 men who have reached the top 10 since the ATP rankings were created, 91 of them grew up on clay, according to playtheclay.com.

The U.S. Open, which was held at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York, before its move to Queens, was played on clay from 1975-1977.

The last American to win the French Open was Serena Williams in 2002, one year after countrywoman Jennifer Capriati accomplished the feat. Since then, Americans have claimed 16 Grand Slam titles at other events.

Chris Evert, who won a record seven French Open singles titles in 1974-1986, said her background on clay kept her healthy in a sport in which injuries are common.

Better for Body

“It’s much better for your body,” she told reporters today. “I never had one injury and I was brought up on clay. If you want to prolong your career, grow up on clay.”

Evert, 55, now runs a tennis academy for top young players in Boca Raton, Florida. She teaches her students how to play on the chalky surface -- which slows the ball down much more than hard courts -- and explains fundamentals likely already known by players who have grown up on clay.

“They’re so awkward when they slide,” Evert said of her pupils. “That’s the question I get a lot. How do you slide? When you learn at a young age, like anything in life, you don’t think about it. When you learn later on, it’s hard to learn.”

On May 9, American Sam Querrey beat countryman John Isner in three sets to claim the Serbia Open, marking the first all- American clay-court final in Europe since the 1991 French Open, when Jim Courier topped Andre Agassi.

U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe gave Querrey a sliding lesson at a March practice in Serbia, Smith said. It’s an example of how much there is for Americans to learn about the surface.

“Sam’s 20th in the world and he was sliding after he hit the ball instead of into the ball,” Smith said.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=a0RMUivpjtJo

[dhrishiasv]

Did they only now just wake up and realize that about 1/3 of the season is played on dirt?

Sam Q winning Belgrade made some headlines, but it's pretty much a given that US players aren't considered among the faves at RG - and yet we are really only one generation removed from an era when 3 different US men won the French. And a mere few years out from Jen Cap and Serena taking the title there as well.

Nice to see the USTA finally doing something to put a little focus on clay season. There's a lot more effort needed, however.

[Peapeuddedbaw]

It's too bad that this awakening didn't happen before the attempts to curtail the clay court season were made, a move spearheaded by the US. They wanted to eliminate Monte Carlo altogether but there was huge push back and the tournament ended up being downgraded. There is still a lot of ill will towards the US by European and South American players because of that effort.

That said I'm glad Isner and Querrey are trying. I've even seen Venus and Serena sliding more in their matches, and they're doing it correctly.

[dhrishiasv]

It's too bad that this awakening didn't happen before the attempts to curtail the clay court season were made, a move spearheaded by the US. They wanted to eliminate Monte Carlo altogether but there was huge push back and the tournament ended up being downgraded. There is still a lot of ill will towards the US by European and South American players because of that effort.

That said I'm glad Isner and Querrey are trying. I've even seen Venus and Serena sliding more in their matches, and they're doing it correctly.

So true, Ti. They did a great disservice letting an entire generation grow up without adequate access to decent clay courts, and then pushing a hard court agenda. Not that 4 courts in NY makes a huge difference, but at least it speaks of a commitment.

When you consider that 91 of 103 men in the Top 10 grew up on clay, and then look at players like Clijsters on the WTA side, it seems a fairly reasonable deduction that it is much easier to excel on hard courts coming from a clay background than it is to excel on clay coming from a hard court background.

[NumDusthouh]

My 2 cents: the US Open was NOT played on clay from 75-77; it was played on Har tru. I play on Har Tru and cement, and train on European red clay. There is a huge difference between the green stuff and the red stuff, so if they want to go the right way, it has to be European clay. Har Tru is great, but the bounce is still faster and lower than clay.
And I have always been puzzled about something: every body says clay is easier on the body. But what about the UPPER body? Look at the pros: a short rally on clay is usually 7-8 strokes long. 20 strokes are not difficult to come by. The modern game is so powerful that the arms and backs of the top pros, on clay, take a beating because there are no free points on clay (except the occasional ace). So while I like clay a lot, if they really want to extend the playing life of pros, the way to go is Grass.
Time to move back to Forest Hills?

[AntonioMQ]

So while I like clay a lot, if they really want to extend the playing life of pros, the way to go is Grass.
Time to move back to Forest Hills?

I don't know why, but I really find the color of the red clay to be unpleasant. Other surfaces that are green are much nicer to watch. And of course grass would be the best, with it's soothing green, cooler temperature, and park-like ambiance. But I think grass is supposed to be the most expensive surface for a club to maintain (yes?), so that's probably out. I just wish clay came in some other color than this baking-in-the-sun red.

[Sukadrukanga]

Good news, but I'm trying to figure out where they're going to put them...?

[feroiodpiop]

I don't know why, but I really find the color of the red clay to be unpleasant. Other surfaces that are green are much nicer to watch. And of course grass would be the best, with it's soothing green, cooler temperature, and park-like ambiance. But I think grass is supposed to be the most expensive surface for a club to maintain (yes?), so that's probably out. I just wish clay came in some other color than this baking-in-the-sun red.

I believe not too long ago, Madrid wanted to dye their clay blue to differentiate themselves. Don't know what happened to that idea, though

[MpNelQTU]

I believe not too long ago, Madrid wanted to dye their clay blue to differentiate themselves. Don't know what happened to that idea, though

I think they're going to try it again next year.

[dhrishiasv]

Madrid wanted to dye their clay blue to differentiate themselves.

Looking like an American hardcourt is a great way to differentiate yourself.

[Unjucky]

Clay in the US? Isn't that... unpatriotic?

[MpNelQTU]

Clay in the US? Isn't that... unpatriotic?

LOL

[Unjucky]

LOL

Seriously. Cheney is waterboarding the culprits as we type. The terrorists are infiltrating.

[Abofedrorobox]

I'm sure Fox news will somehow compare clay courts with the socialist programs of Europe.

[feroiodpiop]

I don't know why, but I really find the color of the red clay to be unpleasant. Other surfaces that are green are much nicer to watch. And of course grass would be the best, with it's soothing green, cooler temperature, and park-like ambiance. But I think grass is supposed to be the most expensive surface for a club to maintain (yes?), so that's probably out. I just wish clay came in some other color than this baking-in-the-sun red.

I believe not too long ago, Madrid wanted to dye their clay blue to differentiate themselves. Don't know what happened to that idea, though

Looking like an American hardcourt is a great way to differentiate yourself.

Yeah it is a great way to differentiate themselves from other clay courts, agreed.

[Unjucky]

I'm sure Fox news will somehow compare clay courts with the socialist programs of Europe.

"Obama wins and then there are clay courts springing up all over the place! We aren't saying that it's NOT a coincidence, we're just reporting the facts in an unbiased way."

[Peapeuddedbaw]

"Obama wins and then there are clay courts springing up all over the place! We aren't saying that it's NOT a coincidence, we're just reporting the facts in an unbiased way."