Navigating Grass Courts: The Slip Factor at Wimbledon

The Athletic provides extensive coverage of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships from the All England Club in London. During a news conference at Queen’s, American tennis player Tommy Paul shared insights on playing on grass, highlighting a unique challenge faced by players: falling.

Challenges of Grass Courts

Tennis players are often wary of falls. Grass, Wimbledon’s signature surface, is renowned for its challenges. It provides less traction compared to other surfaces, making it prone to slips. Players, donned in white, face this slippery ground which is lush at the tournament’s start.

On the inaugural day, Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, experienced two difficult falls in a match against Miomir Kecmanović. He explained that players often slip more when grass is new. Sinner prepared extensively for such scenarios, emphasizing the importance of maintaining pace despite fears.

Player Experiences and Strategies

Maja Chwalińska, a French Open finalist, wasn’t as fortunate. During a match against Mananchaya Sawangkaew, she injured her right ankle after a slip. Despite her lack of experience on grass, Chwalińska acknowledged these incidents happen.

Injuries also affected Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli and Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, who withdrew during their matches. Similarly, Alexander Zverev and Coco Gauff had their share of falls but quickly recovered.

The key to progress on grass is not just luck but also understanding how to minimize fall impact. Paul, known for his grass-court prowess, believes in avoiding inward knee falls. His strategy focuses on sliding feet with fewer wrist injuries.

Insights from Top Players

Taylor Fritz, a Wimbledon semifinalist, attributes his injury prevention to being “extremely hypermobile.” Despite this, he chooses to play at Halle in Germany instead of Queen’s, seeking better footing and match performance.

The need for controlled momentum is crucial. Ben Shelton stresses the significance of body control to prevent falls. Adjusting movement speed helps in avoiding uncontrolled slips.

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner demonstrate adeptness in adapting movements on grass. Djokovic emphasizes cautious movement adjustments on grass compared to other courts. Aryna Sabalenka, world No. 1, refrains from sliding to prevent ankle injuries, likening her agile movement to a cat.

Embracing Falls and Moving Forward

For many, embracing the inevitability of falls is a tactical approach. Frances Tiafoe emphasizes resilience and learning to “dust off” after falls, viewing it as part of the competition spirit.

Madison Keys advises against resisting falls, promoting the idea of learning to fall gracefully as it reduces fear. Similarly, Alex de Minaur embraces the falls as an inherent part of playing on grass.

Overall, players of Wimbledon understand that grass courts bring unique challenges. Falling strategically and rising again with confidence is vital to their success.