| How can your training influence your performance on | | | | 29% participation under "time pressure". This is due to |
| clay vs. hard courts? Does tennis training specific to | | | | the greater distance run during the hard court stroke; |
| different surfaces improve performance? How do you | | | | this indicates a "raised running demand". The count of |
| improve your stroke performance on hard courts? | | | | strokes "without time pressure" were similar between |
| While the study discussed below evaluated elite level | | | | hard and clay courts. The count of strokes however |
| tennis players, the concepts are applicable to the | | | | "with medium to high time pressure" was more than |
| average or recreational tennis player as well, the | | | | 28% higher for hard vs. clay courts. The average |
| results may even be more dramatic. | | | | distance covered was 20 centimeters greater on hard |
| In a recent study of 24 high-level tennis players (ATP | | | | vs. clay courts during without time pressure while the |
| rank 1 to 63), published in Medicine and Science in | | | | average running distance was shorter on hard vs. clay |
| Tennis (September 2007) the researchers evaluated | | | | courts under "high time pressure". |
| running speed loads by evaluating the "strokes without | | | | Additionally, the results show the greatest distances |
| time pressure" and the "strokes with time pressure". | | | | were covered under medium and high pressures on |
| The second category was further studied including | | | | the forehand side up to as much as 4 to 5 meters. |
| running performance with regard to accuracy of | | | | Lastly, the results showed the greatest errors ratio |
| stroke, running distance, number of steps to reach | | | | occurred both on the forehand and backhand sides on |
| stroke position, and dislocation of the body while hitting | | | | the clay courts. Since the greatest stress on the body |
| the ball. | | | | comes from playing on hard courts because of the |
| A total of 327 clay and 287 hard court service games | | | | speed of the game, this also showed the greatest |
| and 8 clay and 3 hard court tie breakers from World | | | | amount of injuries. |
| Cup and Australian Open tournaments were included in | | | | In general, hard court tennis is a quicker game and |
| the study. All athletes were right handed but one. | | | | causes more stress on the body. Recreational athletes |
| Athletes were 20-33 years old. | | | | should be sure to prepare properly for the stress of |
| The study found that typically a hard court vs. clay | | | | the contest or find a local tennis facility that offers a |
| court match would require approximately 45% vs. | | | | more forgiving surface. |