1. There's been a lot of discussion about the speed of the courts slowing down in general over the last 15 years. While I think they may have slowed a little, I would say that right now we have a pretty good mix of speeds on all surfaces. In general, the style of play has changed considerably because of the improvements in string technology and to a lesser extent in racket frames. Also, I believe the tennis ball is slightly heavier now than in previous years. The ball manufacturers would never say that but I reckon that the felt has changed to make it more durable. That is just my opinion. Wimbledon is probably the one tournament where I would say there has been a change in the speed of the court with the change in grass from a number of years ago. It does feel like the ball does grip & sit off the surface much more than it used to. A well hit flat forehand was certain to skip off the surface below knee height making it difficult for opponents but now it sits up much more making it much easier to play from the baseline on grass.
2. Firstly, I like 99% of tennis fans can't stand the grunting. A number of years ago I wasn't all that bothered by it as I never really paid any attention to it. It seems to have escalated to a crazy degree and it's not just a problem in the women's game as many of the men are just as painful to watch play. A consistent grunt that doesn't change in volume and lasts as long as it takes to hit the ball is just fine with me. But, these days there seems to be different grunts, levels, screeches, longevity of grunts, all depending on what the score is and it's not fair to the opponent. Plainly, it's poor sportsmanship as it is designed to throw the opponent off. There have been tests conducted for obtaining maximum power and a lot of those results have come back saying that if you exhale/grunt as you make contact with the ball, punch an object, karate chop wood etc, then you will deliver more power to that exercise than if you stay quiet. That said, it's gotten out of control in tennis and many players are nearly unwatchable now.
I believe the umpire can issue a warning to a player that steps over the line in this regard. It's a judgement call that will come under a lot of scrutiny but worthwhile as it'll keep a lot of the players under control when they step over the mark.
It also has to be stamped out at the junior level to have any chance of moving forward on this issue. That's where we can make the most progress as it's become an ugly part of tennis that drives people away from the sport.
3. You can't give me just one change as that's a tease…. ok, here we go with a few.
- I would do away with the errant ball toss that you get to do over. Once you toss the ball up, it's in play. You don't hit it… fault.
- I would allow the umpire to start the clock after he/she calls the score. That way if it's a great point there will be 5-10 seconds of crowd noise that will give the players that natural extra buffer of time to prepare for the next point before the 25 seconds is up.
- I would install a time clock court side. Clock starts after umpire calls the score and if it goes red before the ball is tossed… fault.
- I would stop allowing the ball kids to touch the players towels. If a players needs to towel off, then go and get it yourself. It's not fair on the kids as it's gross.
- I would play a tiebreak in all 5th sets. If not at 6 all, then either 9 all or 12 all. We have to at least give the winner an opportunity to be able to compete less than 48 hours later at a decent level.
- If a match is due to start at 11am on a TV court, then that match needs to be underway at 11.08 and not 11.22 as is continually happening these days. Players need to be ready to go at a set time like every other sport. It's not like these players don't know the start time as they are 1st match on.
- I would allow the tournaments to increase prize money and reward them with more ATP/WTA points for doing so. Creates incentives for tournaments to be rewarded for pumping more dollars into prize money.
- I would ask all the players at the majors who are benefitting in the enormous increases in prize money to think about donating 5-10% of that money back to a ATP/WTA fund that will be distributed back to smaller events (Qualifying's, Futures, Challengers, 250's) to help fund players that struggle to survive on tour ranked outside the top 150. If these guys are really concerned about looking after the lower ranked players than this is one way we can make a difference. I think you will find it'll be the players that lose in the 1st & 2nd rounds that will complain the most, and they have benefitted the most in the last 3 years. Interesting concept, huh? Not sure the players will embrace it though.
There's a few to chew on. Feel free to post anymore changes you guys would like to see happen. Discussion and debate is always welcomed.
Cheers
--Darren Cahill
ProTennisCoach.com Resident Coach
Available on Tennis-Warehouse.com
