RANKING OF PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYERS ON CLAY
see page "classement" in the french spoken website
THE WELL BEING OF THE PLAYERS
In 1993, we requested that the ATP to consider our position, lobbying for the preferential use of clay. We noted :
¤ The players are injured more today than 20 years ago, whereas they now play less. (fewer doubles and 5 set matches.)
¤ The TV tennis ratings are falling.
¤ The ITF studied the possibility of changing the regulations of the equipment (balls, rackets) to revive interest in the game.
¤ Umpiring techniques and standards on hard courts to be reviewed.
The situation has still not improved. There appears to be no recognition of physical problems caused by the matches played on the hard surface.
The injuries to Guy Forget, Steffi Graf, Sergi Bruguera and, Julie Halard and many others have led to the temporary or final interruption of their tennis careers.
Bill Norris, ATP Physiotherapist declared more than 10 years ago: “If it were up to me, the entire professional circuit would be played on clay.”
Whereas the wisdom and observation displayed by our French friends is very topical, it is also timely for us to reflect upon this during the course of the present U.S. Open Tournament at Flushing Meadow (New York). Clearly, the media always finds emphasis on the many injuries sustained at both the Australian Open and the U.S. events, and that underlines the injuries that are being sustained by players on hard court surfaces. This is in direct contrast to experiences at the French and Wimbledon Grand Slams. However, it should be emphasised, that it is not only the matter of the surfaces at these premier events, but more relevant is the constant pounding of bodies and joints in the year round preparation and training of players.
As a health and safety issue, it is totally irresponsible of administrators, at all levels of tennis, to ignore such salient factors.
The lingering memories of HINGIS and CAPRIATI at the 2002 Australian Open; the photograph of the fallen PHILIPPOUSSIS at the U.S. Open; are dramatic and graphic. Vividly, the “road to ruin” in today’s tennis, can be depicted as the “pavement to disaster” unless action is taken NOW to halt this disastrous trend, and to install clay tennis courts.
THE TENNIS SPECTACLE (THE SPECTATORS’ VIEWPOINT)
In considering tennis as a spectator sport, there is still the problem of injuries, which prove to be a crucial factor, as they are the cause of so many player forfeits. When the tennis stars do not participate, the spectators don’t come to the stadium. Moreover, on clay a point lasts longer, on an average 8 seconds; and one can see all the tennis shots such as the serve and also the return..
Panatta, McEnroe, Noah and more recently Rafter, have proven that they could win on clay with a serve and volley game. You just have to look at the world rankings on all the surfaces and the baseliners such as Kuerten, Safin and Norman, know how to make themselves respected.
Patrice Dominguez said: “The moment of truth, it is always the subtle mix between opportunism and the wait-and-see policy between all out aggression and the well thought-out attack, between the base liner and the serve and volley attack; its on clay.”
INTEREST, TRADITION AND CULTURE
We were told that the main interest in tennis is to crown champions on all surfaces. No! This is not the case. More important is the tradition of tennis. The champion does not need a specific surface to become a champion. Borg proved this by winning on both grass and clay. If professional tennis were played only on clay, Becker, Edberg and Sampras would in any case have been ranked number-one.
Courier, Muster and Kuerten were indeed champions because two thirds of their tournaments were played on hard surfaces.
It is important to respect the tradition and the culture of tennis. The Grand Slam tournaments are different to the past. . New York and Melbourne changed surfaces from grass to hard courts without in any way loosing their status.
There is no reason why they cannot change again……………….to clay.
There will remain grass at Wimbledon. It doesn’t bother us; grass on sport fields is good for our health!
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