Must Have Gear to Master Clay Court Tennis

In order to perfect the clay court slide, you have to wear the right tennis shoes. Clay court shoes help you move towards the ball and slide into your shot rather than hit the ball with your feet planted. Most clay court tennis shoes are engineered with specific traits, like straight-line outsole patterns with deeper shapes. These help players perform better on the gritty surface. One example is the adidas Barricades. They have a unique Torsion System which supports quick cuts and elongated slides. They also have an asymmetrical lacing system to help athletes feel sure footed, and Geofit Sensepods that promote long-lasting comfort. While a clay surface is less impactful on your joints than hard courts, wearing the right clay-court tennis shoes will help prevent injury.

Another way to maximize your performance on clay is by using the right tennis racquets. Clay rewards creativity, so players must be ready to adapt their game. Certain racquets respond better to play on clay, such as the Babolat Pure Aero, Head Radical Pro, Wilson Blade 98, and the Yonex VCore 100. Each has its own unique design features to help clay court players with spin potential, control and feel, and stability. These elements are particularly critical on clay since the ball plays differently.

Certain types of tennis strings will definitely give you an advantage on clay. Because the ball moves a little slower, and bounces a little higher, shots are easier to track down. But when you mix up your shot selection, you’ll have your opponent guessing whether you’re sending them a lob, drop shot, or a nasty kick-serve. Among the best strings for clay are polyester and hybrids, which are a blend of polyester in the mains (for spin and durability) and softer cross strings for added comfort and power. The most popular strings are Babolat RPM Blast, Solinco Hyper G, Luxilon ALU Power, Yonex Poly Tour Spin, Technifibre Razor Code and combinations like RPM Blast with VS Touch Gut or ALU Power/Wilson NXT. Other helpful adjustments include changing the tension and gauge, and always restring your racquet as soon as you notice dirt or build up.

Similar to hardcourts, clay can add up to 15 degrees of heat during the summer months. It’s important to wear lightweight tennis apparel made with flexible, moisture-wicking fabric and UV protection. One example of this is the Nike Paris Collection. Crafted for clay, this collection is designed for peak performance on the court. This collection features men’s crews, shorts, and long-sleeve polos as well as women’s tanks and skirts.

Using the wrong tennis balls can make it harder to win points. The best balls to use for clay court surfaces are regular duty tennis balls. These will help you work the angles, use topspin, and give you more opportunity to reach the ball, since the bounce is much slower than on hardcourts. Also, there’s less consistency on clay courts and regular duty balls can better adapt. If you want to use what the pros are using in Paris, try a case of the Wilson Roland Garros Clay Court Tennis Balls. They play like a champ!