Defense Becomes Offense on Clay
The major difference between tennis played on clay courts versus hard or even grass courts is that pure power doesn’t win points as easily on the dirt. Therefore, players need to work the rally more strategically and rallies usually last longer. As a result, the ability to retrieve those additional balls that players can more easily reach on clay becomes an asset to a player. The players that are very strong on clay courts
not only hustle well, but they often turn defensive positions into offensive situations. For example, three-time, French Open Champion, Rafael Nadal, is very fast, but he is also often able to hit outright winners on the dead run after a long rally. On the women’s side, Justine Henin, who has won four titles at Roland Garros, effectively mixes up her slice and topspin backhands especially when she is pressed wide on the backhand. For example, a well-executed low sliding slice can force the opponent to hit a weak reply and therefore turn around a defensive situation. The key on clay is not only to retrieve well, but to learn how and when to go for the outright winner versus a strategically placed slice or lob which changes the dynamics of a rally from defense to offense.
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