bbc.co.uk
Home
TV
Radio
Talk
Where I Live
A-Z Index
BBC Sport Academy
GAMES CHAT PHOTOS QUIZ WIN
BBC Sport You are in: Tennis: Features  

Homepage
Tennis
Skills
Give It A Go
Masterclasses
Features
Rules
Equipment
Jargon Guide
Disability



Latest Sports News
CBBC
Academy Parent

Get the newsletter
Wimbledon
Around the Academy:

Play goes on at Wimbledon's centre court
Rain stops play on Wimbledon's grass courts

From the slow clay courts of Roland Garros, the Grand Slam series heads straight for Wimbledon which has the fastest of all the playing surfaces - grass.

Wimbledon is the only major tennis tournament in the world still to be played on grass.

It gives the ball a low bounce which can also be very unpredictable.

You can never expect the same bounce twice on grass.

Because of the low bounce, players with short, compact strokes that do not need as much time to prepare have an advantage.

Those who can mix up their game, using slice as well as top spin, drop shots as well as lobs, also do well.

Tim Henman loves playing on grass
Henman - at home on grass

Fast, powerful shots are also very effective on grass.

Big servers such as the 2001 champion Goran Ivanisevic have even more of an advantage.

And players who can back up their serve by attacking the net ready to volley away a weak return - such as Tim Henman - are best suited to grass.

Yet even though Henman is completely at home on the Centre Court turf, he has never managed to lift a Wimbledon title.

Who says the grass is always greener!


Back to top



Introduction
Australian Open
French Open
Wimbledon
US Open

Wimbledon
Reigning men's champion: Roger Federer (Swi)
Reigning women's champion: Maria Sharapova (Rus)
One tonne of grass seed is used every year at Wimbledon



^^ Back to top
© BBC Contact us | Help | About us Disclaimer
Football  |  Cricket  |  Tennis  |  Golf  |  Rugby Union  |  Rugby League  |  Athletics  |  Basketball  |  Swimming
Other Sport  |  In the Gym  |  Healthy Eating  |  Treatment Room  |  Your Blueprint  |  Learning Centre