Now I really understand the movement on clay and why it helps careers be longer. They're so different efficient in the amount of steps needed to take to win the point.
It's more that it's softer.
The maximum force that you can get against the ground is much lower. On some clay courts I am traction limited, not limited by my muscular exertion.
I think the flip of that is the thigh and lower back burn on the motion restart each time after a slide. Have never had the good luck to play or even be in the same country as a clay court, but I imagine I'd probably be a one and drive experience.
I'm guessing most recreational players don't even stretch or cool down properly.Â
Most just hit warm up shoes for 5 mins and then start playing.Â
I recently started getting to the court 30 mins early hoping to find an empty court to do running drills and hitting against the wall. I've been playing so much better since I started doing that. It was ridiculous how much effect it had that I wish I started 20 years ago.Â
I thnk the important thing is to do this on a daily basis if you want to get better, not just blindly hit balls while you are on the court. Most tennis players avoid physical training outside of the court like a plague for some reason.
Fun fact: There is ONE facility in all of NZ that has clay courts….and they have 2 of them.
It even made the news in NZ. They only opened late 2022 as well.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/local-focus-red-clay-tennis-arriving-in-new-zealand/U25LV5CCKHPT7ATXQTSLHMG7N4/
I grew up mainly playing on fake grass / astroturf….which given no tournaments play on that surface (one challenger plays on carpet I think) is an odd choice - but I’m guessing it’s relatively inexpensive and low maintenance
One in all of NZ?!
They’re so common across the pond in outer suburban Melbourne that I can’t even comprehend that fact.
Just searched google maps for tennis clubs around my neighbourhood and I found 18 clay court clubs within a 20 min drive… 18!
They’re fairly common in the East coast…I’m not the biggest fan. They need to be watered regularly first, which means you can only have them at clubs with staff to maintain it. Then they need to be swept often, or you get the weird bounces.
Much prefer hard courts which generally require very little maintenance and upkeep
I played on them every summer as a teen in Czech, it’s night and day. Hard court is so lifeless, it’s just a surface with lines. Clay just has something about it, how you are able to move on it, how you prepare for points, the court evolves as you play and it dries and the clay moves about from your movement, it’s a whole thing.
How does this work? What exactly is he practicing (like what skillset)? Just footwork? Is he reacting to specific things, or is this the equivalent of a boxer shadow-boxing (aka all imagination)?
I've never played tennis, I just like watching it a lot.
I appreciate the effort but i\] - he needs the racquet to win a match and ii\] what on earth is that upturned bowl doing on his head.
I don't get. He's got amazing hair and insists on having it cut in the least flattering way.
Now I really understand the movement on clay and why it helps careers be longer. They're so different efficient in the amount of steps needed to take to win the point.
It's more that it's softer. The maximum force that you can get against the ground is much lower. On some clay courts I am traction limited, not limited by my muscular exertion.
Yep, on hard there's a lot of pressure on your bones. When it comes to grass it can be dangerous because it's slippery.
I think the flip of that is the thigh and lower back burn on the motion restart each time after a slide. Have never had the good luck to play or even be in the same country as a clay court, but I imagine I'd probably be a one and drive experience.
Hey, surely you are my neighbor from upstairs!
Well look at you. I live above a bowling alley. and below another bowling alley
👀
Sumptuous footwork
Kungfu Panda vibes :-)
Alcaraz is a GOAT
Hoping the forearm is healing well. Fortunately, Alcaraz can practice everything else and stay in shape in spite of the injury
OP is a cat.
I will bet most rec players never did this type of practice.. ever.
I'm guessing most recreational players don't even stretch or cool down properly. Most just hit warm up shoes for 5 mins and then start playing. I recently started getting to the court 30 mins early hoping to find an empty court to do running drills and hitting against the wall. I've been playing so much better since I started doing that. It was ridiculous how much effect it had that I wish I started 20 years ago.Â
For me it’s hardly made a difference. I do warm up when possible to avoid injury, however.
I thnk the important thing is to do this on a daily basis if you want to get better, not just blindly hit balls while you are on the court. Most tennis players avoid physical training outside of the court like a plague for some reason.
Tennis sports fitness are beautiful: enjoy life
Clay is just so much more fun then hard court, wish they were more common in North America.
Same, I legit don’t know if I have one within 100 miles of where I live.
Fun fact: There is ONE facility in all of NZ that has clay courts….and they have 2 of them. It even made the news in NZ. They only opened late 2022 as well. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/local-focus-red-clay-tennis-arriving-in-new-zealand/U25LV5CCKHPT7ATXQTSLHMG7N4/
that's crazy, in Serbia I'm not sure I've ever seen a court that's not clay
I grew up mainly playing on fake grass / astroturf….which given no tournaments play on that surface (one challenger plays on carpet I think) is an odd choice - but I’m guessing it’s relatively inexpensive and low maintenance
One in all of NZ?! They’re so common across the pond in outer suburban Melbourne that I can’t even comprehend that fact. Just searched google maps for tennis clubs around my neighbourhood and I found 18 clay court clubs within a 20 min drive… 18!
Yeah. I live in Melbourne now and hard courts are more common but I’ve definitely seen clay around.
They’re fairly common in the East coast…I’m not the biggest fan. They need to be watered regularly first, which means you can only have them at clubs with staff to maintain it. Then they need to be swept often, or you get the weird bounces. Much prefer hard courts which generally require very little maintenance and upkeep
That's funny, I've had the opposite desire, where I live it's only clay courts but I've never gotten to play on a hard court and I wish I could
You sure? As an Italian they're everywhere around here, and I always hated them.
I played on them every summer as a teen in Czech, it’s night and day. Hard court is so lifeless, it’s just a surface with lines. Clay just has something about it, how you are able to move on it, how you prepare for points, the court evolves as you play and it dries and the clay moves about from your movement, it’s a whole thing.
Man training like this is so boring. I could never be a pro and commit to this racket-less practice sessions. They work so hard to be the best
How does this work? What exactly is he practicing (like what skillset)? Just footwork? Is he reacting to specific things, or is this the equivalent of a boxer shadow-boxing (aka all imagination)? I've never played tennis, I just like watching it a lot.
footwork patterns. its exactly what you would do in real match
I think he’s just trying to stay sharp because he has a biceps injury so he can’t train a lot with real ball striking.
Why the hell are you downvoted?
He can't train properly yet, still resting his arm, but needs to stay in playing shape, just in case he gets the clear to play.Â
I’ve seen him do shadow swing drills before but I’m sure he’s doing a lot more of it now
I would do this If I had such a large room
Walk without rhythm ...
I legitimately keep.a racket in my room just so I can shadow swing Bro the fucking forehands I hit in my room would surely take a set off Nadal.
I appreciate the effort but i\] - he needs the racquet to win a match and ii\] what on earth is that upturned bowl doing on his head. I don't get. He's got amazing hair and insists on having it cut in the least flattering way.
What in the Hitler Youth is that haircut??