tkoziol
Rookie
This does not seem fast to me at all! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pUFwH-m3cY
The only change I see between now and then would be the amount of topspin and pace. Both have increased in my opinion.
Does anyone actually have any empirical data that shows the courts have slowed down? Aside from grass, I can't find any evidence of this. And even the grass court evidence seems very misleading: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Gjxf8RjhKXI#!
The problem with the grass court evidence is that pros are hitting with more spin causing the ball to kick up more. I don't think that the surface is causing the ball to kick much higher. This is supposed to be fast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nECFscrEXfI. Seems very slow to me. Groundskeeper seems to think so too:http://www.thetennisspace.com/wimbledon-groundsman-its-a-myth-that-the-grass-is-slower/.
Also, it seems like the pros can't even agree on whether or not the surfaces have slowed. Honestly, I think that the real homogenization going on is TOPSPIN, not the court surface. Born Borg is an example of how topspin can be very resilient. Borg won on the super slow clay then went on to win on the "hyper speed" grass (see link above). Borg had three back to back French and Wimbledon titles.
I think Djokovic and Nadal have a winning formula that enables them to win on multiple surface speeds: Heavy spin + amazing movement (defense) = brick wall. Its not exactly a full proof formula, being a brick wall has disadvantages: 54 shot rallies, damage to body, unusually high levels of patience and will power. Obviously this is just the foundation to their game, Djoker and Nadal hit plenty of winners, aces, and volley/slams. I believe that this style of play is making the courts appear slower than they are.
Further evidence of this would be Nadal pre-2008. He was very ineffective on faster courts (though he didn't do too bad at Wimbledon). Over the years his style of play has changed. His shots land deeper in the court, he hits a much lower ball (not as many moonballs), hits with more MPH, stands much closer to the baseline, and hits in a more authoritative/offensive manner. He also spent lots of time updating his serve with the help of a "serve specific coach" or with the help of steroids depending on what you believe. Regardless....why spend all this time, energy, and money on a problem that would be solving itself? If all the courts are slowing down and becoming clay, then why isn't Nadal running the table every year?
The courts are not slowing down. Players are hitting with more spin causing the ball to bounce higher. However, all players on the average are hitting with much more pace then they were 20-30 years ago. We are currently experiencing tennis reach new heights right before our eyes: faster shots, more spin, better movement (speed, flexibility, court coverage, and shot preparation), and yes, the courts are still the same speed.
Feel free to prove me wrong. However, I'm interested in facts. Your opinion is worthless unless you can back it up. A quote from an ATP pro saying the courts are slower is not a valid counter-argument. I can pump out 10 quotes from top ranked atp players suggesting that no change is occurring. As well as about 5 pros who flip flop their opinions. Anyone with some data?
The only change I see between now and then would be the amount of topspin and pace. Both have increased in my opinion.
Does anyone actually have any empirical data that shows the courts have slowed down? Aside from grass, I can't find any evidence of this. And even the grass court evidence seems very misleading: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Gjxf8RjhKXI#!
The problem with the grass court evidence is that pros are hitting with more spin causing the ball to kick up more. I don't think that the surface is causing the ball to kick much higher. This is supposed to be fast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nECFscrEXfI. Seems very slow to me. Groundskeeper seems to think so too:http://www.thetennisspace.com/wimbledon-groundsman-its-a-myth-that-the-grass-is-slower/.
Also, it seems like the pros can't even agree on whether or not the surfaces have slowed. Honestly, I think that the real homogenization going on is TOPSPIN, not the court surface. Born Borg is an example of how topspin can be very resilient. Borg won on the super slow clay then went on to win on the "hyper speed" grass (see link above). Borg had three back to back French and Wimbledon titles.
I think Djokovic and Nadal have a winning formula that enables them to win on multiple surface speeds: Heavy spin + amazing movement (defense) = brick wall. Its not exactly a full proof formula, being a brick wall has disadvantages: 54 shot rallies, damage to body, unusually high levels of patience and will power. Obviously this is just the foundation to their game, Djoker and Nadal hit plenty of winners, aces, and volley/slams. I believe that this style of play is making the courts appear slower than they are.
Further evidence of this would be Nadal pre-2008. He was very ineffective on faster courts (though he didn't do too bad at Wimbledon). Over the years his style of play has changed. His shots land deeper in the court, he hits a much lower ball (not as many moonballs), hits with more MPH, stands much closer to the baseline, and hits in a more authoritative/offensive manner. He also spent lots of time updating his serve with the help of a "serve specific coach" or with the help of steroids depending on what you believe. Regardless....why spend all this time, energy, and money on a problem that would be solving itself? If all the courts are slowing down and becoming clay, then why isn't Nadal running the table every year?
The courts are not slowing down. Players are hitting with more spin causing the ball to bounce higher. However, all players on the average are hitting with much more pace then they were 20-30 years ago. We are currently experiencing tennis reach new heights right before our eyes: faster shots, more spin, better movement (speed, flexibility, court coverage, and shot preparation), and yes, the courts are still the same speed.
Feel free to prove me wrong. However, I'm interested in facts. Your opinion is worthless unless you can back it up. A quote from an ATP pro saying the courts are slower is not a valid counter-argument. I can pump out 10 quotes from top ranked atp players suggesting that no change is occurring. As well as about 5 pros who flip flop their opinions. Anyone with some data?