A New Surface?

[Krish872007]

I know surface debates have been raging on for years, but I just wondered what people's thoughts would be on introducing a completely new surface to the game. First into the club levels, then futures, challengers, etc and finally onto the pro circuit.

I remember a friend and I once played on a very strange concrete surface in Singapore. It had a bit of everything. It played fast at times and slow at other times. If we struck a hard serve or groundstroke, it would zip through with little bounce. Topspin FHs/BHs created some very high bouncing balls and slower, longer rallies. Smashes could sometimes be retrieved as they practically stopped on the surface. Drop shots, on the other hand, were virtually impossible to pick up. Good for kickserves, reasonably good for S&V (although we didn't try much of that). Offers opportunities for plenty of variety from point to point.
IMO it could be quite entertaining to see a pro match on this, but there are some very obvious flaws/drawbacks:

1. Movement is more restricted. Any excessive sliding could be very dangerous and could probably end some careers.
2. Falling on court? Not an option really, for similar reasons.
3. Same goes for excessive baseline grinding.
4. The ball bounces over your head and you look foolish.

So, my question is really this: what surface addition would you like to see (if any) and why? Or should everyone stick with the standard clay/grass/cement?

 

[underground]

Ice will be the new popular surface in the 2030s.

Play starts off with ice 5 inches thick. Cooling system stops as soon as the first ball is hit. Players will have to adjust their footing to avoid slipping. The ice will start melting at uneven rates so players will have to deal with irregular bounces. Conditions also change rapidly as it can get damp and heavy very quickly. No worries though because measures are taken to prevent conditions going too extreme: new balls are used every 5 games, and all the melted ice will be swept away after a set.

Due to the high costs of preparing this surface, it is planned to be used only at the WTF in the London O2 Area from 2020, but it is expected its popularity and unpredictability will urge tournament directors to change surfaces to ice.

Oh if a player cracks the ice because they were smashing racquets this counts as an automatic default.

 

[Krish872007]

I suspect glass might actually be a more viable medium for play come 2050. Favours beautiful, aggressive players who glide and float across the surface like a ballet dancer. Ultra fast and smooth - but also happy to work with the baseliners and their urge to slide.
The main surprise weapon: the serve. Kickserve - doesn't kick, just carries on going. Hard, fast, straight serve - kicks up at an angle as it shatters the glass.

Racquet smash leads to automatic default and hospital admissions.

 

[Devilito]

Mud? Nadal needs more slams

 

[stringertom]

Cow dung...many TTW posters would feel at home and could contribute natural augmentation with a sprinkling of their efforts here.:twisted:

 

[ThomasGB]

A court in the back of Federer's house, made up of trophies.

 

[Murrayfan31]

A super high bouncing surface should be added. Or they could use super balls on hard court. Or how about a tournament with really high elevation. Or maybe beer tennis. Drink a can of beer after every 4 games.

 

[tacou]

I'm not opposed to a new surface but it seems like a better idea would be figuring out how to divide the calendar into three even sections, HC, clay, and grass, and I guess return to indoor HC to end the year.

 

[marc45]

................

 

[ScentOfDefeat]

For the tour to have any consistency, we should have a Slam played on carpet. It was an important surface for years that's been unjustly vilified by the powers to be. We could have it either in Australia or the US, since these are the Slams that have been changing surfaces over the years (the ones where tradition doesn't matter as much). We would then have one clay, one grass, one hard and one carpet Slam.

Each one of these would have a mini-season played on that particular surface prior to the grand finale (a little bit like the US Open Series).

 

[Krish872007]

For the tour to have any consistency, we should have a Slam played on carpet. It was an important surface for years that's been unjustly vilified by the powers to be. We could have it either in Australia or the US, since these are the Slams that have been changing surfaces over the years (the ones where tradition doesn't matter as much). We would then have one clay, one grass, one hard and one carpet Slam.

Each one of these would have a mini-season played on that particular surface prior to the grand finale (a little bit like the US Open Series).

If we run with your idea, the Australian Open's probably the most flexible in terms of introducing a carpet surface into a Slam. Could be held indoors as well I suppose (not difficult considering Rod Laver Arena already has a roof)

 

[Carsomyr]

Blood: A fantastic surface to show off who's the ultimate warrior.

...........

 

[Krish872007]

...........

Where did you pull this little gem out of? :twisted:

 

[ScentOfDefeat]

If we run with your idea, the Australian Open's probably the most flexible in terms of introducing a carpet surface into a Slam. Could be held indoors as well I suppose (not difficult considering Rod Laver Arena already has a roof)

Indeed. Both the US and the Australian Open could do it. And it's suitable because both the US and Australia were the "new world" in relation to Europe. A world where things could start anew and where new traditions were created.

 

[underground]

I suspect glass might actually be a more viable medium for play come 2050. Favours beautiful, aggressive players who glide and float across the surface like a ballet dancer. Ultra fast and smooth - but also happy to work with the baseliners and their urge to slide.
The main surprise weapon: the serve. Kickserve - doesn't kick, just carries on going. Hard, fast, straight serve - kicks up at an angle as it shatters the glass.

Racquet smash leads to automatic default and hospital admissions.

However if bulletproof glass is used it'll certainly give a very high bounce to the ball.

 

[OrangePower]

We need the majors to be played on the same surfaces as those used by recreational players. This allows rec players to identify with the pros.

There's already a major on clay, and on nice hard courts.

So now we need a major on cr@ppy hard courts similar to what many of us play on. You know, the kind you get in public parks, high schools, etc.

Hard cement, worn smooth, some cracks, maybe a bit dusty to add to the realism.

 

[coloskier]

However if bulletproof glass is used it'll certainly give a very high bounce to the ball.

Use bulletproof glass and the ball would never bounce. The skid (ball mark) would be a foot long.

 

[West Coast Ace]

So now we need a major on cr@ppy hard courts similar to what many of us play on. You know, the kind you get in public parks, high schools, etc.

Hard cement, worn smooth, some cracks, maybe a bit dusty to add to the realism.

Awesome idea! The crying would reach epic levels!

 

[SpinToWin]

We need the majors to be played on the same surfaces as those used by recreational players. This allows rec players to identify with the pros.

There's already a major on clay, and on nice hard courts.

So now we need a major on cr@ppy hard courts similar to what many of us play on. You know, the kind you get in public parks, high schools, etc.

Hard cement, worn smooth, some cracks, maybe a bit dusty to add to the realism.

I play on carpet in winter, I demand a Slam on carpet!

 

[insideguy]

I play on carpet in winter, I demand a Slam on carpet!

The ladies still play on carpet in a small tournament in Canada right after the US open. Actually the ladies play on a more diverse set of surfaces. They still have a green clay tournament and play an indoor clay tournament as well in Germany.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

I suspect glass might actually be a more viable medium for play come 2050. Favours beautiful, aggressive players who glide and float across the surface like a ballet dancer. Ultra fast and smooth - but also happy to work with the baseliners and their urge to slide.
The main surprise weapon: the serve. Kickserve - doesn't kick, just carries on going. Hard, fast, straight serve - kicks up at an angle as it shatters the glass.

Racquet smash leads to automatic default and hospital admissions.

I would like to see glass court tennis. I have played on a very slick tennis court that was re-finished for roller hockey and there was almost no bounce at all. The ball just skidded and topspin made no difference The bounce was far lower than even carpet.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

A super high bouncing surface should be added. Or they could use super balls on hard court. Or how about a tournament with really high elevation. Or maybe beer tennis. Drink a can of beer after every 4 games.

If you had a 5-setter, the players wouldn't even be able to find their racquets :lol:

 

[Krish872007]

I would like to see glass court tennis. I have played on a very slick tennis court that was re-finished for roller hockey and there was almost no bounce at all. The ball just skidded and topspin made no difference The bounce was far lower than even carpet.

That would be hilarious, everyone would lose to everyone, since topspin effectively becomes a non-factor

 

[spirit95]

They should play on water. Roger would win all the time since he is the only one who can walk on it.

 

[Egoista]

New Surface - lunar craters

would never know where the ball would go after bouncing in one of them

 

[SpinToWin]

New Surface - lunar craters

would never know where the ball would go after bouncing in one of them

Or let's make a 5th Slam, the Syria Open, played on the rubble left behind during the conflicts.

 

[smoledman]

Ground up bone meal. The ultimate warrior surface.

 

[Krish872007]

Or let's make a 5th Slam, the Syria Open, played on the rubble left behind during the conflicts.

My word, that is sinister.

How about the Scotland Open? Played on the side of a mountain in the Scottish highlands exposed to heavy wind and rain. Bagpipes wailing in the background. Play through the rain. If you slip and fall down the mountain - automatic default.
Requires superb movement, court grip and ability to cope with all weather conditions. Rewards heavy topspin at one end, and backspin dropshots at the other.The fastest recorded serve was at 190mph. The slowest at 15mph. May the best man win.

 

[underground]

My word, that is sinister.

I think someone on this forum actually posted a thread about an article joking about the Syrian Open, so it's not his/her idea.

 

[navorski_o9]

i agree with the carpet surface suggestion for either the us or aussie open. if they've used carpet before at tournaments, it should be brought back and all slams would have different surfaces. actually, i think i'm not old enough to get to see it on tv when carpet was still used. what are the reasons for it to be phased out, anyone?

also, if carpet is added to one of the slams, wouldn't it be cool to also see all 4 different surfaces in year end tournament for round robin? like its randomized which surface they're gonna use that day or something like that. just an idea