With my heart in my throat and the Kleenex box on hand, I watched what turned out to be Rafa Nadal’s last singles match. From the first ball it was clear that the fast indoor court surface would make It difficult for Nadal to play his game. Van de Zandschulp from the Netherlands controlled the court with crushing serves, returns and groundstrokes. Nadal’s favorite position behind the baseline made it too easy for the Dutchman to power the ball. Nadal’s normal grinding game became impossible. The surprise for me was that Spain (the event was played in Malaga) chose both the venue and the court surface, putting their Spanish hero at a distinct disadvantage. So I watched in disbelief and sadness as Nadal lost.

I recently returned from Rancho Mirage, California, where I competed in the 2024 Women’s 35-85 Hard Court Nationals. Hard courts are the most predictable of court surfaces and the bounces are the most uniform. Going to college in southern California, I learned to develop a hard court game: playing on the baseline to establish an advantageous court position, hitting my forehand on the rise to reduce my opponent’s reaction time, building points with my forehand, and using my serve to my advantage — all hard court skills. The game benefits the aggressor rather than the retriever.

Playing on a clay court is distinctly different and requires a different set of skills and strategies. The two most important differences of clay vs. hard court are ball speed and movement. Clay courts are slower because the surface absorbs the ball speed, and this makes movement an important skill. Players can get to many more balls and points are often longer. For many of the intermediate USTA league players I have taught, the softness of clay can provide some cushioning for the knees, but the long points can negate that benefit when playing singles.

When I play on clay, which is not my favorite surface, I know that most of the balls that I hit are coming back. Mentally, I prepare for a longer match. Tactically, when I play on clay, I play with more height and depth, understanding that I will probably not make a lot of winners, but will win points through my opponent’s errors. A point is a point, I guess. Hitting behind my opponent rather than to the opening, serving wide in the deuce court, using my slice backhand and dropshot –- all good clay court tactics.

The Masters World Championships are played on clay, so I train on clay courts for three weeks prior to the event. I am continuously at a disadvantage coming from indoor hard courts to outdoor clay and struggle through the first few days of practice. Part of the journey is to adjust, learn and challenge myself.

Accept the challenge…

Clay Court Considerations

• • • • Play higher deeper balls to targets.
      • More consistent groundstrokes.
      • Points are longer. Work the point!
      • Use angles.
      • Incorporate a slice backhand to change spin. The ball will stay low.
      • Use the wide serve in the deuce court to open the court.
      • Hit behind your opponent more often to wrong foot them.
      • Use a drop shot/pass or drop shot/lob combination.
      • Get a high percentage of first serves in. The second serve can be attacked.
      • Learn to slide. Stay low.
      • Practice on clay before playing a match!

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