Deep Background. The second of two features on the classic rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, a Shakespearean drama played on the terre batu at the French. All you need to know about how to play and win on clay can be found in this and the preceding video. It’s listed as “the most animalistic” video so, translated down, that means the most intense. Have at it.
Oh, one more thing: clay court tennis is more about will power and nerve than any other form of tennis. But you like that, right?
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Clay Court Clinic: Nadal and Djokovic
Deep Background: Nadal and Djokovic was projected to be the match of the tournament in 2015. In many ways, it was, but it came in the quarters, not the semis or the finals. Djokovic finally took Nadal out at The French and he did it by playing to win, not by playing not to lose. It’s always a great match when these guys meet, and, in their honor and for our enjoyment, here’s a video of some of their greatest points. If you want to learn to play the best possible game of clay court tennis, learn from the very best players. Watch, absorb, apply.
The Fine Print: Embed via YouTube, posted by Pray4RF. All rights belong to their respective rights holders. Thank you for sharing.
Clay Court Clinic: Nadal
Deep Background: Nadal was going for his 10th French Open title this year (2015). He didn’t make it. Djokovic (who had lost to Nadal the last 3 times they met in the French) finally took down the King of Clay. Although Nadal is out of the French this year, he’s probably the very best clay court player of all time. Here’s Nadal at home on the clay; if you want to see a Ph.D. in how to play on clay, just watch this video.
The Fine Print: Video via YouTube. Posted by modfr. All rights reserved by their respective rights holders. Thanks for sharing.
Clay Court Clinic: How to Play on Clay
Deep Background. This is part two of our posts on playing the clay court game. It’s a totally different game but you enter with the same tools you enter any tennis match: groundies, court coverage, service and return, volleys off both wings. But one more element comes into play on clay: strategy. Clay court tennis is for those who love geometry and well-constructed points. It’s a game that purists appreciate and, yes, it’s a bit of a specialty in today’s hard court world.
It’s also perhaps the most rewarding form of tennis just because it extends your game in all dimensions and requires a complete set of skills. If you’re a clay court player or just like to watch it on TV or in person, here are some of the finer points of the game made visible.
The Fine Print: Embed via YouTube. Post from Total Tennis Domination. All rights belong to their respective rights holder. Thanks to everyone for sharing. See you on the clay.
Clay Court Clinic: Winning on Clay
Deep Background: Clay court tennis is not like any other form of tennis. The grass court game requires a terrific serve (and, before power tennis became THE ONLY way to play, a good first and even better second volley) and the ability to quickly hit a fast rising shot. Rallies are short. Reputations on grass are shorter.
Hard court tennis of the type played primarily in the U.S. (and on display in the U.S. Open and Australian Open) is a power game. Hit it harder and faster than the other guy–consistently–and you will win.
But Clay Court tennis remains true to the classic elements of the game: consistency, court coverage, and “working the point”. It is chess on dirt. To be a great clay court player, you must have a game that embodies all the athletic elements found at the highest levels of the game: consistency, power, placement, a good serve, a deft touch, and the ability to hit a drop shot from the concession stand. Clay court points are longer and more strategic; it’s a game of position and if you get out of position, you’re done. It’s a game of nerve; you must be able hit ten or more shots in a row, solidly and where you want them. It’s a game of attrition; be in shape or go home. And, while there are lots of great clay court tournaments in the world (mostly in Europe), the one we always focus on ( it has the most TV coverage) is the classic: The French Open played at Roland Garros in Paris. The final is tomorrow: Wawrinka vs. Djokovic.
Here’s a primer on playing to win on clay, one of two in this series of Deep Background posts. Watch it (best, as with the concerts posted here, on a big screen) and then find a clay court (they do exist in America) and perfect your game.
Oh, one more great thing about clay court tennis: it’s easy on your body, so you can play longer, both in years and in match time. Your serve?
The Fine Print: Embed via YouTube. Source: WTA. All rights belong to their respective rights holders. Thanks to all for sharing.
French Open Deep Background: How to Slide on A Clay Court
Paying Attention: We’re in weekend of the French Open. The men’s semis are now over (yes, Djokovic took our Murray in 5 sets); the women’s title decided (another win for Serena) and tomorrow–the men’s title. What the tennis fan sees this weekend is tennis at its’ finest–the art of clay court tennis, as mastered by the best in the world. In this short series of videos to be posted over the next few hours, you will get some deep background about the techniques required to be an effective clay court player along with footage of some of the best rallies, great shots and top players in the history of the sport. Let’s start with the basics: how to slide on a clay court.
The Fine Print: Embed realized through YouTube (our go-to source for video…maybe you’ve noticed). All rights belong to respective rights holder. We thank the producers of this piece and appreciate their generosity in sharing this piece.
Name Droppers
Great little piece from the Roland Garros/French Open site on the nicknames of the players entered into this years French Open. Very interesting and very well done (and lots of fun to read).
The Art of the Movie Trailer: The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Paying Attention: One thing that Hollywood does really well is re-cycle. Make one hit movie, and it can be remade once a generation to meet the expectations of a new group of movie goers. Peter Pan, originally an animated Disney film, was rather famously remade as the live-action movie Hook(starring Robin Williams). Remakes are a business model for Hollywood, which likes a sure thing. A remake has some built-in advantages: a known cast of characters, solid story line, a pre-sold audience. The trick is to always be true to the original while bringing in enough new material and ideas to advance the experience. And, of course, it’s not just movies that get remade, but TV shows as well. Coming this fall, English director Guy Ritchie (the two recent Sherlock Holmes movies and the rather chaotic Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels are among his credits) will bring the 1960s era TV Show The Man From U.N.C.L.E. to the big screen (Release date: 15 August 2015). Original characters Napoleon Solo and Ilya Kuryakin will be re-imagined for a new generation of movie goers and older devotees of the hit TV Show. Ritchie is a terrific action director and if this remake delivers like his Sherlock Holmes films did, it might just be a “tentpole”– a movie that will allow for a series of Man From U.N.C.L.E. films. There is a precedent: does the name Bond, James Bond, sound familiar?
Einstein on Creativity
“The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your source…”
The Weekend Concert Series: The Foo Fighters in Rio De Janeiro Brazil, 2015
The Hunt for New Music: The complete concert from the Foo Fighters 2015 show in Rio. Play it big and turn it up. In Honor of Letterman and the fact that the Foo Fighters were the last band to play on the Letterman’s late night TV Show.
The Fine Print: Embed courtesy of YouTube. All rights belong to their respective artists. We thank the Foo Fighters for making this concert available for enjoyment by their fans.