Anyone else glad to say goodbye to clay?

[caesar66]

OK first of all this thread has nothing to do w/ one Mr. Federer or Mr. Nadal...but is anyone else glad to see the clay part of the season gone? I watch clay tournaments on tv because, well, we tennis fans have to watch what little tennis is covered on tv when we can get it, but i really hate the surface. Its so dirty, the points take forever, matches drag on and on. It seems like alot of folks on this board really dig the slower surfaces, and thats cool, i'm not knocking anyone's preference, i just like seeing the fast paced tennis of grass and fast hard courts. I think you see alot more reflex and alot more fun points, and i'm glad to see the green of Wimbledon on the horizon. Anyone else feel the same way?

 

[federerhoogenbandfan]

Yeah pretty much. There are 3 Masters Series events on clay which makes it the longest season, it has the longest matches, and by the time it is through a fan is as exhausted as the players.

 

[Deleted member 4983]

There needs to be more grass tournaments.

 

[exruda]

A masters series on grass, perhaps
Yes, I'm glad the clay season is over, but I was also glad when the hardcourt season was over. I guess one just gets bored with watching too much tennis of the same type.

 

[hondas2k]

There needs to be more grass tournaments.

i agree

 

[mnguyen8]

clay

I think it definitely is the worst of the surfaces we have.

 

[malakas]

Ehm..no I am not glad..But nonetheless it's the surface I like the less.

 

[federerhoogenbandfan]

3 Master Series on clay, and 0 on grass, that is crazy. There should be:

2 Masters Series on clay
2 Masters Series on grass
1 Masters Series on rebound ace before the Aussie Open
1 Masters Series during spring hard court season
2 Masters Series on hard courts before the U.S Open
1 Masters Series on carpet in the fall season which should be shortened to boot

 

[highsierra]

Although I have never even set my feet on a clay court, red or green, I still enjoy watching the matches. Among the four GS, FO and AO are slower and Wimbledon and USO are faster, with FO and Wimbledon at the two extreme. I don't understand these outcries, probably mostly from the folks in the US because many are just like me, never had a chance to play on clay.

If you really like to watch S&V, just go watch the doubles.

 

[katastrof]

Grass can get boring as well. Especially when there are two SV'ers on court.

I agree that there should be more grass tourneys, and the grass season should be longer. This would also give the mudders more chance to adopt to the surface, hence more variety, more competition, more viewing pleasure.

Clay might be boring if you are looking for a lot of "whooaaa" moments, but it is great if you get into the intensity of points. It is easier on clay to break & get broken, it is much more likely that defense turns into offense, the winner of the point is much less predictable... etc. I like it.

 

[slice bh compliment]

... but i really hate the surface. Its so dirty, the points take forever...

With a name like Caesar, you ought to like the gladiator feel to claycourt tennis.
Oh well, so sorry you feel that way, Alice.

 

[highsierra]

3 Master Series on clay, and 0 on grass, that is crazy. There should be:

2 Masters Series on clay
2 Masters Series on grass
1 Masters Series on rebound ace before the Aussie Open
1 Masters Series during spring hard court season
2 Masters Series on hard courts before the U.S Open
1 Masters Series on carpet in the fall season which should be shortened to boot

My understanding is that grass is the most popular surface only in UK. Clay is the most popular surface in many more countries. Hard court also has a broader popluation behind it. ATP/WTA simply schedule the tours to reflect the reality and fan base.

If you really want to see grass become popular, you need to do more than just whining. Go start some campaign to get more kids playing on it, more courts built, how about just starting in your own community/city. Maybe 20 years from now, you'll see the fruit. Otherwise it's just pi$$ in the wind,

 

[Sadyv]

I like watching tennis on clay much more so now than in the past.

Grass is still my favorite, but I have to admit, back in the early to mid 90's, after watching a full helping of Wimbledon coverage, it got pretty tiring watching 2-3 stroke rallies with all the big serve and volley players. After a time, watching Becker, Sampras, Krajeck and Ivanisevic blast each other off the court gets just as tiresome as watching Nadal and company today have long extended rallies.

Variety is all important, at least for the spectator.

 

[araghava]

As a sports fan and a tennis fan in particular, i like to watch an attacking game. I like to see players take initiative and risk and then be rewarded for it. My problem with clay is that usually attacking play is not rewarded. You're much better off on clay returning ball after ball until you finally a mid court ball to put away. Clay is a surface that rewards defensive play. When you have 2 player playing like this, it gets very boring (atleast for me).

 

[slice bh compliment]

3 Master Series on clay, and 0 on grass, that is crazy. There should be:

2 Masters Series on clay
2 Masters Series on grass
1 Masters Series on rebound ace before the Aussie Open
1 Masters Series during spring hard court season
2 Masters Series on hard courts before the U.S Open
1 Masters Series on carpet in the fall season which should be shortened to boot

I like your plan.
How does one go about implementing such a plan without getting the ATP, the ITF and the tournament directors all in one hot, sweaty, angry room?

While we're at it, let's change a few things at the grassroots level.
-offer tennis as an intergral part of early childhood education and physical fitness training for school age children. Racquet companies whould offer foam balls and junior frames at cost. It just makes sense for the long term.
-more mini-tennis for kids.

At the pro levels:
-more clay, more grass. Better tennis. More tennis. This would be nice, but expensive at the rec levels...but good for the knees!
-less hardcourt tennis, fewer injuries.
-go back in time and limit racquet technology at all junior, college and pro events. Let recreational adults buy the widebodies and the oversizes with chips, holes, springs and power arms.
-player jerseys and Davis Cup shirts for everyone ... like in EVERY other sport.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Thank God clay season is over!!!!

Sorry but i hate clay.:mrgreen: I like quick points.It will be interesting too see Roger's mindset going into the grass season.Also how will Nadal do.Will he improve.

 

[Turning Pro]

Seriously nice temps in England this summer so it should be dope.

 

[Andres]

Sorry but i hate clay.:mrgreen: I like quick points.It will be interesting too see Roger's mindset going into the grass season.Also how will Nadal do.Will he improve.

There are quite a few clay events left yet, ACE

 

[yo_3133]

A masters series on grass, perhaps
Yes, I'm glad the clay season is over, but I was also glad when the hardcourt season was over. I guess one just gets bored with watching too much tennis of the same type.

yeah, you cant have masters series in every surface except grass

 

[ATXtennisaddict]

I'm glad I don't have to keep hearing about Nadal Nadal Nadal. Waiting for the other ATP pros to shine the rest of the year. Doesn't have to be Federer. I want to see Nalbandian win something!

 

[Ztalin]

I'm glad I don't have to keep hearing about Nadal Nadal Nadal. Waiting for the other ATP pros to shine the rest of the year. Doesn't have to be Federer. I want to see Nalbandian win something!

Agreed. Especially guys like Roddick and Hewitt. I hope those two do well this grass and hardcourt season.

 

[Saito]

There are quite a few clay events left yet, ACE

Though you are right Andres, usually FO ending signifies clay season being over.

 

[exruda]

Though you are right Andres, usually FO ending signifies clay season being over.

Does anyone know if Nadal has any more clay torunaments in his schedule for this year? I think not, he cut down on the lesser tourneys this year.

 

[skip1969]

I'm glad I don't have to keep hearing about Nadal Nadal Nadal. Waiting for the other ATP pros to shine the rest of the year. Doesn't have to be Federer. I want to see Nalbandian win something!

word. i'm nadal-ed out. no offence to him, props for his clay court season and all that. but i officially reached my nadal saturation point today. i'll be getting my share of dudes with long, bad hair for a month (with the world cup on) so i'm gonna have to grin and bare it, for the sake of football. but can i at least get a break from capri pants and biceps?

thanks in advance, lord.

 

[BabolatFan]

I'm really glad the claycourt season has ended coz I can't wait to see some fast action on hardcourt. Hope to see Roddick, Blake and of coz Roger do well again!

 

[bagung]

what's wrong with clay? just because you guys cannot accept the fact that nadal is better than fed???? nadal proves it by beating fed in hard court too... fed is good, but he has difficulty to beat nadal, and also safin....

 

[mislav]

Though you are right Andres, usually FO ending signifies clay season being over.

It ain't over until Umag Open, guys.

 

[J-man]

I like the clay season but I'm happy it's over

 

[diegaa]

Thank god it aint over yet!!

 

[mislav]

Thank god it aint over yet!!

Exactly so.

 

[katarddx]

I think it definitely is the worst of the surfaces we have.

a million people = million opinions... it is a number one surface in my opinion.

 

[superman1]

I'm tired of the clay. In all 3 of these super hyped Fed/Nadal matches, only 1 has been good. The rest of the time Federer has been a disappointment. I don't see the sense in playing in mud when you could be playing on a smooth, clean surface where it's about the tennis, not who can slide better.

 

[Ztalin]

what's wrong with clay? just because you guys cannot accept the fact that nadal is better than fed???? nadal proves it by beating fed in hard court too... fed is good, but he has difficulty to beat nadal, and also safin....

Difficulty beating Safin? He's 7-2 lifetime against him (4 of his wins in straight sets). One of the 2 losses he had matchpoints in. Yeah, TONS of problems with Marat...

More like he has difficulty with Nadal and Nalbandian.

I'm glad that clay season is over because it was one of the most boring clay seasons ever. Guys like Gaudio, Coria, and JCF aren't competition for anybody. At least in hardcourts, there is more competition. Hardcourts make for the best tennis, IMO.

 

[Andres]

It ain't over until Umag Open, guys.

Mislav, is Umag the last clay event of the year?

 

[westside]

Agreed. Especially guys like Roddick and Hewitt. I hope those two do well this grass and hardcourt season.

Roddick really needs to come good at Stellas Artois. I'm hoping Hewitt will come close to winning it.

 

[fastdunn]

There needs to be more grass tournaments.

I think there will be. Wimbledon made a very drastic move by switching to
slower and higher bouncing grass called "rye" in 2001.

It was to attract more of main stream tennis, namely baseliner style
and generate more interests from general public. Now it's being
played in baseliner's style and won by baseliners like Hewitt and
now Federer.

I think this will brining in more popularity(and thus revenues)
which Wimbledon hopes. I hope this will result in more of
grass court tournaments....

 

[tommytom11]

amen i agree! bring on the grass

 

[kabob]

word. i'm nadal-ed out. no offence to him, props for his clay court season and all that. but i officially reached my nadal saturation point today. i'll be getting my share of dudes with long, bad hair for a month (with the world cup on) so i'm gonna have to grin and bare it, for the sake of football. but can i at least get a break from capri pants and biceps?

thanks in advance, lord.

This post perfectly transcribes my thoughts on the clay/Nadal season

 

[mislav]

Mislav, is Umag the last clay event of the year?

The last one is apparently Palermo, Italy. But Umag is a beautiful clay tourney and you simply can't call the clay season being over until it is played.

 

[croatian sensation]

The last one is apparently Palermo, Italy. But Umag is a beautiful clay tourney and you simply can't call the clay season being over until it is played.

Ditto! Ditto!

(And by no means we're biased LOL)

On topic..actually I'm glad the 1st part of the clay season is over...mostly cause I was already sick of Fed/Nadal "rivalry" on clay which was supposed to "culminate" at RG. I'm glad that one is over. The second big reason...clay season isn't a clay season when there is no Coria. Period.

But I am looking forward to the 2nd part very much... my fav tourney and the comeback of my fav player are yet to come.

 

[North]

Very glad to say goodbye. Wouldn't bother me if there was no clay court season at all. I like fast points!

 

[Docalex007]

I don't want to see clay again for an eternity, unless I'm watching it live.