So You Want to Try Tennis on Grass

“You’ve just got to fall well, because you’re going to fall at some point on the grass.”

That was Tommy Paul describing one of tennis’ greatest paradoxes before Wimbledon. No player wants to fall, but on grass it is almost unavoidable, making it important to know how to fall safely.

Grass is tennis’ slipperiest surface. During the opening days of Wimbledon, when the courts are at their lushest, players are especially vulnerable to losing their footing while changing direction or chasing a shot.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner demonstrated that reality in his opening-round match, taking a couple of hard falls before bouncing back to win. While most players escape unharmed, avoiding injury often comes down to a combination of luck, technique, and mindset.

Paul believes the safest approach is to avoid landing on your hands or wrists. "Ideally, you'd rather almost have your feet slide out and fall down and not on your wrist. I think those are the most important things on the grass when falling."

Ben Shelton says one of the biggest adjustments on grass is learning to move with greater control rather than relying on pure explosiveness.

"You have to be able to have body control. You kind of have to learn how to move at a slightly slower and more controlled cadence."

Modern players have also adapted movement techniques from clay courts, where controlled sliding is common. Novak Djokovic helped popularize that approach, and Sinner now uses it regularly, although he says it still takes several days to become comfortable sliding on grass each season.

Women's world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka takes a different approach. Rather than sliding, she prefers quick, controlled footwork to reduce the risk of injury.

"One wrong move, you can twist your ankle."

For players, however, falling is simply part of competing on grass. The challenge is not to fear it.

Madison Keys, who won the Eastbourne Open before Wimbledon, says resisting a fall is often what causes injuries.

"When you are trying to brace or prevent actually falling, that's where things go wrong."

Instead, she believes players should accept that slips are inevitable and let their bodies relax rather than fight the fall.

That attitude is shared throughout the professional game. Players know they will occasionally lose their footing on grass, but those who stay relaxed, recover quickly, and continue competing are usually the ones who handle the surface best.

For recreational players, the lesson is much the same. Grass rewards balance, controlled movement, and accepting that an occasional tumble is simply part of the game. Learning how to fall safely may not be as glamorous as improving a serve or backhand, but on tennis' most slippery surface, it can be one of the most valuable skills of all.

Want to play on grass at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI?  You have to really pay to play!  Bring your tennis whites and credit card.  The rental fee for one hour of court time is $250.

The prestigious USTA North-South Challenge Cup brought California's top senior tennis talent to San Diego last weekend, with Rossmoor Tennis Club's Larry Barclay among the competitors showing that age is just a number on the court.

Barclay paired with Berkeley Tennis Club's 89-year-old Ollie Wright in the 85+ doubles division, representing Northern California in this annual battle between the state's best senior players. The duo split their matches in a spirited showing against their Southern California counterparts.

"The level of play was remarkable," said Barclay. "When you see players in their 80s and even late 80s still competing at this level, it really demonstrates the lifelong nature of tennis."

The tournament, held October 12-13, featured age divisions starting at 55 and increasing in five-year increments up to 85+. After 76 hotly contested matches across all divisions, Southern California emerged victorious in the overall competition.

But Barclay isn't discouraged. With next year's tournament scheduled for Northern California, he's already looking ahead. "Just wait until next year, when it's held on northern courts," he quipped with competitive spirit still burning bright.

The North-South Challenge Cup stands as a testament to tennis's enduring appeal and the remarkable fitness of its senior players. From 55-year-old "youngsters" to competitors pushing 90, the tournament showcases the sport's ability to keep athletes active and competitive well into their golden years.

For Barclay and Wright, their performance in the 85+ division proves that championship tennis knows no age limit. They'll be back next year, racquets ready, aiming to help the North claim 

In what has become a cherished tradition in Bay Area tennis, The Villages of San Jose hosted Rossmoor for their annual tennis competition, treating their guests to their customary feast of breakfast and lunch before demonstrating their competitive prowess on the courts.

The day's most compelling contest came from the women's top singles division, where Rossmoor's Sherry Endicott and Susan Hill engaged in an epic battle that showcased some of the finest tennis of the tournament. Their match, which ended in split sets, featured extended rallies and sophisticated shot-making that kept spectators enthralled.

In other women's action, Mary Benin and Anna George of Rossmoor displayed remarkable tenacity, securing the first set before ultimately falling in a nail-biting second-set tiebreaker. 

The men's division saw The Villages' Tennis Pro making his presence felt, partnering to deliver a commanding performance against Rossmoor's top team of Chris Slee and Stuart Coffey.  In parallel action, Yoshi Fukamiya and Tim Walker encountered similarly formidable opposition losing both sets.

The four mixed doubles matches showed Rossmoor's resilience, with close matches on all courts.  Play was friendly and all had a great  time playing on a perfect fall day.

A notable moment of sportsmanship occurred when Dave Kern, who had originally come as a spectator, stepped in to replace veteran player Ron Wyman, who had to withdraw due to a brief spell of dizziness.  Additionally, the team thanks Shrey Trivedi and Stuart Coffey for playing twice, avoiding 2 defaults.  

The annual event continues to strengthen the bonds between these two tennis communities, combining competitive play with camaraderie and hospitality —  hallmarks of both clubs’  tennis culture

Reminder: Drop-In every Wednesday from 10a.m. to 11 a.m. on Courts 1 and 2 

Beginners through advanced players are welcome and this is open to ALL Rossmoor Residents, not just members of the club.

Lessons include footwork drills, split-step, pivot, shoulder-turn with non-dominant hand, return of serve, slices, volleys, drop shots, lobs and overheads, and doubles strategy.

Half-an-hour instruction and half-an-hour playing points.

You will have an enjoyable experience and learn something in the process!

Private lessons also available from Eugenio Ovalle.