Tip of the Week: Wimbledon Has Changed, But Stayed the Same

The courts at Wimbledon have changed significantly in the 21st century. The grass used to be thicker, slicker, and actually a different type. This has enabled the baseline players to play more defense, get more balls back in play, and then be aggressive once they get into the point.  They  can basically play similar to how they would play on a hard court or even a clay court.

 Most of the players having success at Wimbledon before the changes were made to the grass, were serve and volleyers. That has not been the case since Sampras won his last Wimbledon in 2000. However, the matches often still come down to whoever serves and returns serve better. If a player can get more first serves in play and get more returns in play, they have an excellent chance of coming out on top. Serving and returning well enables the player to get control of the point, making the other player more defensive and usually getting them on the run. It is very difficult to change directions on grass, making it even tougher to anticipate and recover.

The player controlling more of the points by starting the point well, still has an advantage over the player having to react. This is the case in both the women’s game and the men’s game. Look for the players who execute the serving and returning aspect the best, to be the champions at this year’s Wimbledon.

Steve Annacone, USPTA Elite Pro, is the Director of Annacone Tennis,  www.annaconetennis.com and MyHamptonsPro, www.myhamptonspro.com throughout the Hamptons, NY. In addition, Steve, Phil Lepisto, and Gill Gross run the ACT (Advanced Competition Team) program at the Tucson Jewish Community Center (Tucson, AZ) for high level players ages 8-18. Please contact Steve at sannacone@tucsonjcc.org or 865-300-7323