How come Argentina has produced so many strong clay court players?

[zill]

The least clay court player is Del Potro (who has reached the SF of RG twice lol). I assume because they have mainly clay courts. Any other reasons?

And how come they have done so much better than most other South American countries? Countries like Chile and Brazil have produced top players but Argentina has produced so many more. Why?

 

[Swingmaster]

The least clay court player is Del Potro (who has reached the SF of RG twice lol). I assume because they have mainly clay courts. Any other reasons?

And how come they have done so much better than most other South American countries? Countries like Chile and Brazil have produced top players but Argentina has produced so many more. Why?

A crapload of prestigious clay academies and a great tournament system are there. I guess they went tennis crazy years ago when they had guys like Vilas and Clerc, or before that even, I don't know. I guess the other countries down there are pretty strictly obsessed with soccer.

 

[BauerAlmeida]

Most of the courts in Argentina are claycourts, there are some hard courts too but only one grass court I believe (or one club that has a few grass courts).

This is typical in most of South America.

 

[accidental]

Probably all the clay courts

 

[Thriller]

The same reason Europe does. On both continents every kid first learns how to play tennis on clay. They won't see a hardcourt let alone a grasscourt until they are pretty advanced.

 

[Diminic D'Coco]

it's sort of a school of thought\culture thing in southern europe and latin america...

 

[cha cha]

This does not seem to work for the Czech Republic.
There are basically only clay courts here. All competitive play is done on clay. Yet our women are hardly clay court grinders.

 

[spottishwood]

The least clay court player is Del Potro (who has reached the SF of RG twice lol). I assume because they have mainly clay courts. Any other reasons?

And how come they have done so much better than most other South American countries? Countries like Chile and Brazil have produced top players but Argentina has produced so many more. Why?

I won't say he's the least clay courter out of top argentines. Don't ya think it should be Nalbandian?

 

[ibbi]

All the clay courts, and all the rich white people.

 

[BeatlesFan]

All the clay courts, and all the rich white people.

Guillermo Vilas is an Argentine, winning 62 career titles and 4 slams. And he's not white.

 

[ibbi]

Guillermo Vilas is an Argentine, winning 62 career titles and 4 slams. And he's not white.

The question was about the many players Argentina has produced compared to the rest of South America, not just the one!

Also, I was only being half serious about the rich white people.

Also, also, did you enjoy Fabs walking around half the match today without his shirt on?

 

[Sudacafan]

Guillermo Vilas is an Argentine, winning 62 career titles and 4 slams. And he's not white.

How do you say he is not?

 

[James P]

Uruguay is both the richest and the whitest country in South America. They gave us Cuevas and not much else.

 

[Sudacafan]

Uruguay is both the richest and the whitest country in South America. They gave us Cuevas and not much else.

Cuevas was born in Concordia, Argentina (Salto, Uruguay, where he lives, is across the Uruguay river.)

 

[BlueB]

Guillermo Vilas is an Argentine, winning 62 career titles and 4 slams. And he's not white.

Vilas is not white???

 

[Sudacafan]

Vilas is not white???

For me, he is, as I believe he has 100% European background.
Maybe the sun tan he obtained when he played mostly outdoors, same as Nadal’s current one, is confusing people.

 

[BlueB]

For me, he is, as I believe he has 100% European background.
Maybe the sun tan he obtained when he played mostly outdoors, same as Nadal’s current one, is confusing people.

That's what I thought too.

 

[Deleted member 758560]

sudaca knows how

 

[Swingmaster]

Uruguay is both the richest and the whitest country in South America. They gave us Cuevas and not much else.

It's a very small country though. Only about 3.5 million peeps. I only know this cuz they say it every World Cup. Amazing how theyve had such success in soccer.

Brazil should be a powerhouse pretty soon. Theyre clearing out alot of space for courts.

 

[zill]

I won't say he's the least clay courter out of top argentines. Don't ya think it should be Nalbandian?

Nalbandian hits with much more spin so I don’t think Nalbandian is less clay than del Potro lol