The Anatomy of a Clay Court

[HunterST]

I was wondering what the actual structure of the clay courts are at Roland Garros. I know the actual clay is made of crushed red brick, but what's below it? How thick is the layer of dirt? How are the lines applied to the court?

Has anyone played on a clay court? Can a recreational player feel the difference in ball speed, or is it something that will only make a difference at the highest level?

 

[batz]

I was wondering what the actual structure of the clay courts are at Roland Garros. I know the actual clay is made of crushed red brick, but what's below it? How thick is the layer of dirt? How are the lines applied to the court?

Has anyone played on a clay court? Can a recreational player feel the difference in ball speed, or is it something that will only make a difference at the highest level?

I think it's the other way round mate - the bricks are made from clay.

 

[dropshot winner]

Here on Switzerland I'll play on red clay almost all the time, it's pretty much the same stuff as in Roland Garros.

Not sure what's below the clay surface, but it's relatively hard and soaks up water well. The lines are out of plastic and slightly higher than the court without the top clay layer. They fill the court with clay until the lines and the space between are about the same height.

The speed and bounce difference is easily noticeable, even for a player like me who plays for just over 2 years. Two months ago I played on 90s style carpet and before that modern carpet that has about the speed of hardcourt, it's very different to clay courts. Returning a flat serve is much easier on clay and dropshots and heavy groundstrokes are a lot more effective too.

I just love the sliding on clay. The other surfaces I played on made my ankles hurt on sudden stops, never had that problem on clay.

 

[Gasolina]

The lines are out of plastic and slightly higher than the court without the top clay layer. They fill the court with clay until the lines and the space between are about the same height.

I hate it when courts are not well maintained, and the plastic lines are higher than the clay so when you hit them with the serve they bounce differently.

Aside from dirtying my shoes/socks, I'd prefer red clay, because you have much more time to react on shots, which makes for much better tennis than ballbashing.

 

[aphex]

Here on Switzerland I'll play on red clay almost all the time, it's pretty much the same stuff as in Roland Garros.

Not sure what's below the clay surface, but it's relatively hard and soaks up water well. The lines are out of plastic and slightly higher than the court without the top clay layer. They fill the court with clay until the lines and the space between are about the same height.

The speed and bounce difference is easily noticeable, even for a player like me who plays for just over 2 years. Two months ago I played on 90s style carpet and before that modern carpet that has about the speed of hardcourt, it's very different to clay courts. Returning a flat serve is much easier on clay and dropshots and heavy groundstrokes are a lot more effective too.

I just love the sliding on clay. The other surfaces I played on made my ankles hurt on sudden stops, never had that problem on clay.

Wilander said that in the lenglen court, there's cement underneath and the lines are painted on the cement (weird, i know but that's what he said)

btw, i also play exclusively on clay and the courts are as you describe.

 

[ericsson]

I was wondering what the actual structure of the clay courts are at Roland Garros. I know the actual clay is made of crushed red brick, but what's below it? How thick is the layer of dirt? How are the lines applied to the court?

Has anyone played on a clay court? Can a recreational player feel the difference in ball speed, or is it something that will only make a difference at the highest level?

The clay used at RG is from the best quality and has several layers of thickness and quality. the lines are painted on in calcium.

Here in Belgium most clay courts are built like that:
On top is the thinnest clay, almost powder, it's called 00
below is 0/2 or 0/3, thicker grain, below that 0/8 (10cm)
Below that crushed stone 0/40 mm and lava stone, these are the fundaments.

hope this helps...

 

[LttlElvis]

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

The photo at left shows a cross section of the clay court. Below the clay surface is a 5 cm thick layer of limestone, followed by a layer of iron ore sl ag (the remnants of iron extraction). Small stones and gravel below this allow the surface to remain stable and drain excess water. Underneath is natural ground treated so as to remain flat. The court construction was designed by Charles Bouhana, who was originally hired to maintain the lawn at Roland Garros.

Covering the clay surface is a thin (2 mm) layer of red brick dust. It is placed there for aesthetic reasons and for the players' comfort: it enables them to see the ball more easily and to slide on the ground when running for the ball. The natural color of the brick is gray, but it is colored red to create more contrast with the yellow ball. Making enough dust for the courts at Roland Garros is no mean feat: 800kg (1760lbs) of dust are used for each court every year!

from: http://www.fortunecity.com/olympia/zola/206/clay.html

 

[dirtballer]

There's a commercial being shown on TTC where they describe the construction of a clay court. As was noted above, the commercial even mentions the 1,800 pounds of brick dust used each year.

 

[DNShade]

the lines are painted on in calcium.

You sure the lines aren't tape nailed down at RG? Pretty much how every clay court I've ever been on - red and green- has had the lines and I'm pretty sure RG had tape lines in the past.

 

[Mortifier]

I've actually played on claycourts, but I've always wondered if a racquet smash can "hurt" the surface? Can it "dent" it?

 

[jwbarrientos]

That Guga's trphy was what I was thinking on!
In the club I play, I saw the how some courts was repared and in the process we could see the surface beneath clay (red brick), there are two lays of stones.

 

[Donny0627]

I was wondering what the actual structure of the clay courts are at Roland Garros. I know the actual clay is made of crushed red brick, but what's below it? How thick is the layer of dirt? How are the lines applied to the court?

Has anyone played on a clay court? Can a recreational player feel the difference in ball speed, or is it something that will only make a difference at the highest level?

1. U have never played on clay?

2. Yes it is noticable

 

[egn]

Played on clay sadly only once or twice here in America red clay courts are hard to find or basically all in country clubs and my pocket does not have that type of money. I play probably 3.5 tennis at best but even I noticed the difference. Clay is wonderful to play on for your body and feel but I prefer a faster hardcourt cause I like to play a faster game, but clay is definitely nicer to play on and feels a lot better. As pointed out sliding is so much fun on clay and one good thing about clay at the lower level it helps you learn to construct points better I feel. However you do notice the difference especially since one of my buddies hits huge topspin with his lovely western forehand and on clay he just lets that rip.

 

[GPG]

so you mean that they make them with Guga's tears? Oh Gosh! maybe that's wahy he was so great playing at RG!:shock:

 

[cork_screw]

I've played once on red clay (96st Riverside park NYC) and play all the time on green clay (Central park) I play at CPW all the time. The clay at central park (cpw) is more gravel-like and is actually easier to slide into because you get more of a mixture of fine grains and large/medium grains. The red clay however is more fine and I guess absorbs the pace of the ball more. The ball speed isn't so much slower as the bounces are A LOT more pronounced. I honestly don't see a big level in the speed, but the ball will often times bounce over your head if you have someone who throws medium spun loop strokes your way. I think playing on clay is one of the most rewarding feelings as tennis pleasures are concerned.

 

[mindgrinder]

i have played on both, i personally prefer clay may be cuz i learned playing tennis on clay courts, clay are slow and thickness depends on various factors, i think most clay courts have gravel under them or a concrete mix. Hard court is just painted synthetically on a cemented surface, underlying both can be pretty similar.

 

[TEnnisguy]

Since there is the anatomy of clay courts, what happened to their physiology? I mean there is still wind blowing and dirt flying. lol

 

[AndyL]

Here's a NY Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/sports/tennis/30clay.html?ref=tennis

 

[ericsson]

You sure the lines aren't tape nailed down at RG? Pretty much how every clay court I've ever been on - red and green- has had the lines and I'm pretty sure RG had tape lines in the past.

I am very sure! i was there last tuesday so i saw it myself.

here the official explaining:
Lines are measured and scraped out of the red surface, down to the limestone, and then painted white with the same type of thick paint used on roads.

 

[Mortifier]

I'm asking again again since I didn't get any answer - can you "dent" or destroy the surface of a claycourt with a racquet smash?

 

[ericsson]

I'm asking again again since I didn't get any answer - can you "dent" or destroy the surface of a claycourt with a racquet smash?

No not really.

 

[Mortifier]

Good to know, I've scheduled a court for tomorrow and if things get nasty I won't hesitate then.

 

[PlayTheClay]

Roland Garros

I was wondering what the actual structure of the clay courts are at Roland Garros. I know the actual clay is made of crushed red brick, but what's below it? How thick is the layer of dirt? How are the lines applied to the court?

Ed Montecalvo, the Consulting Services Manager at Lee Tennis/Har-Tru worked with the crew at RG this year to learn how they maintain their courts and how that differes from the green, Har-Tru courts here in the USA. The photos of Guga holding the trophy are what a new court looks like. In reality, since the top 4" or so of courts at RG are roto-tilled each year and re-graded and then top dressed with a new layer of brick dust (about 1 1/2 tons per court (3000 lbs)), the top 4 inches of the court are a blend of the white limestone flour and the brick dust...this layer is more pink in nature and then topped with a fresh orange/red brick dust layer. Hope it helps. Ed has photos posted on the Lee Tennis Court Products Facebook Fan Page. You can access it through the www.playtheclay.com website.

 

[PlayTheClay]

I've actually played on claycourts, but I've always wondered if a racquet smash can "hurt" the surface? Can it "dent" it?

THe dents and divots will appear but they are quickly filled smooth by brushing you shoe over the area dented. Same on green Har-Tru clay courts hear in the USA.

 

[coloskier]

I hate it when courts are not well maintained, and the plastic lines are higher than the clay so when you hit them with the serve they bounce differently.

Aside from dirtying my shoes/socks, I'd prefer red clay, because you have much more time to react on shots, which makes for much better tennis than ballbashing.

Actually, the only time you can ballbash is if you have time to set up for the shot. Thus, clay is made for ballbashing.

 

[Imago]

Still, what are the lines of RG made of? Line, concrete, PVC, nothing?