Multi-Surface Tournaments?

[@wright]

Would anyone like to see tournaments with a combination of surfaces selected in a random way for each match? If the tournaments were sizable, the winner could be considered more of a master of all surfaces, although the level of play could be very poor due to the sudden shifts of surfaces, obviously. What do you think?

 

[Feña14]

I think that sounds great!

Everybody will have a chance, that means Roddick might not win as many tournaments and it might give an opportunity to other players to mature.

Good idea imo

Liam

 

[whodat]

That would be nice. In Houston where I live, Westside Tennis Club(site of the Masters final) has five surfaces--red clay, green clay, U.S. open hard court, Har-tru rebound (Australian) court :?: , and grass. Occasionally they would hold an "Around the World" weekend tournament for their members. Surface is predetermined--i.e. first round red clay, quarters hard court, etc. I would like to see it applied to the year-end Masters. That way the champion will really be THE CHAMPION . This is unlikely to occur because the cost of building stadium courts for all four surfaces is too high for a realistic monetary return.

 

[Camilio Pascual]

It would be interesting and would certainly be a rich source for arguments on this board (...if it was on grass "X" woulda won instead of "Y". "Oh, yeah???"). I'm against it in spite of that attractive scenario because the quality of play would certainly go down. There are many calling for an extension of the time between Roland Garros and Wimby because it is felt more time is needed for the players to get used to grass. There would be quirky and unsatisfying results. Then, there are issues of practicality, not many places could offer the different courts and logistics involved.

 

[gustavo33]

what about four surfaces on the same court?
now that would be fun to watch...
clay and grass on the backcourt, hard and carpet in the services boxes

 

[The tennis guy]

Interesting idea, but bad in reality. Most players think the rush of injuries to players today have a lot to do with frequent change of surfaces. Change of surface you are playing on put a lot stress on the body.

 

[Rabbit]

good idea, but how to execute?

IMO, all Grand Slam tournaments should be played on natural surfaces, either clay or grass. Further, I think it's pretty fair to say that as the number of hardcourt events has risen, so have the injuries to players. Natural surfaces are easier on the body and would serve to prolong careers.

 

[Max G.]

Make the grasscourt season as long as the claycourt season, at the expense of some hardcourt tennis!

...no, not gonna happen.

 

[Deuce]

I'm all for Nature, but, in over 20 years of playing almost exclusively on hardcourts, I've never had any major injuries. Come to think of it, the only injury (major or minor) I ever had was a couple of years ago when my back went out on a shot, and I missed two weeks. Nothing related to hardcourts, though.

Personally, I'd like to see one tournament every year where every player must use a standard size wood racquet. Men and Women. Make participation mandatory, and award points as in all other tournaments. The surface could alternate every year. Perhaps choose one of the Majors to play all wood each year...

A tournament in Houston played on a surface of mattresses would be interesting...

 

[Cypo]

I agree with Camilio - this would make for very boring tennis - I don't want to watch players struggling to adjust to the surface (the same way I don't want to watch players struggle with extraneous noise and distractions), I want to see players playing the best they can.

The idea of four surfaces on one court though is interesting - maybe a two foot wide strip of grass at the net to reward a well placed drop shot, and hard courts through-out no-mans land to encourage sharp angles ? - hmmmm.....

 

[devila]

Federer, Coria, Ferrero, Safin, Hewitt and Nalbandian won't win
a lot because of their cakewalk draws on grass/hardcourts combo either. :shock:

 

[Rabbit]

I'm all for Nature, but, in over 20 years of playing almost exclusively on hardcourts, I've never had any major injuries. Come to think of it, the only injury (major or minor) I ever had was a couple of years ago when my back went out on a shot, and I missed two weeks. Nothing related to hardcourts, though.

Yeah, but I would imagine there is a smidgen of difference between you and the pros who compete on hardcourts week in and week out. Everyone loves to say how much better condition the players are in now, but there are more injuries. The only thing different between now and the wood days is the amount of hard court tennis being played.

 

[The tennis guy]

Rabbit,

It is only partially true that "The only thing different between now and the wood days is the amount of hard court tennis being played." The other major difference is frequent change of surfaces, hard court to indoor, then to hardcourt, then to clay, to grass, to clay again, to hardcourt, to indoor, to clay, etc. The studies have shown these two factors are the main cause for injuries.

There is no question hardcourt causes joint problems in the long run. From my personal experience, I have no problem play on hardcourt, for now, maybe problem down the road. However, I felt muslce pain after I switch to clay or grass from hardcourt. It is not because clay and grass are harsh on your body, it is because your body isn't used to clay and grass. Your muslce reactions are different to hard court than to natural court.