Countdown to Rome on beautiful clay courts
Only a few spaces left - 11th to 15th May
Click HERE for full information.
5 reasons why clay is the best surface to play on — and the best surface for watching the world’s best players.
1. On clay, the ball moves slower and bounces higher, giving beginners and improving players more time to react, get into position, and swing with control. It encourages proper technique, patience, and point construction instead of rushed shots and desperate pokes.
2. It is far kinder on the body. Clay is a softer, more forgiving surface, and the ability to slide reduces the jarring impact you get on hard courts. For most players, that makes it easier on the joints and much more enjoyable over time.
(Yes, the pros seem able to slide on almost anything!)
3. Many of the world’s greatest players built their games on clay. It teaches tactics, demands physical resilience, rewards consistency, and develops the kind of mental toughness that defines champions. Longer rallies force you to think, suffer, adapt, and persist. Nadal, of course, turned perseverance into an art form.
Only a few spaces left - 11th to 15th May
Click HERE for full information.
5 reasons why clay is the best surface to play on — and the best surface for watching the world’s best players.
1. On clay, the ball moves slower and bounces higher, giving beginners and improving players more time to react, get into position, and swing with control. It encourages proper technique, patience, and point construction instead of rushed shots and desperate pokes.
2. It is far kinder on the body. Clay is a softer, more forgiving surface, and the ability to slide reduces the jarring impact you get on hard courts. For most players, that makes it easier on the joints and much more enjoyable over time.
(Yes, the pros seem able to slide on almost anything!)
3. Many of the world’s greatest players built their games on clay. It teaches tactics, demands physical resilience, rewards consistency, and develops the kind of mental toughness that defines champions. Longer rallies force you to think, suffer, adapt, and persist. Nadal, of course, turned perseverance into an art form.
4. A freshly watered and perfectly dragged clay court, with crisp white lines and that rich red surface glowing in the sun, is one of the most beautiful sights in sport. It belongs in an art gallery. Nietzsche said life is justified through an aesthetic lens — I am choosing to believe he had a soft spot for clay courts.
5. Modern tennis needs clay courts more than ever. They give spectators rallies, variety, creativity, and drama. You see more shapes, more patterns, more problem-solving, and a far greater range of shots. By contrast, men’s doubles at the highest level on hard or grass can sometimes feel over in a blink, with points lasting three shots or fewer.
So, if you would like to experience the joy of playing on a beautiful clay court — and then watch the world’s best players battle it out in the spectacular marble arenas of the Italian Open — why not join us in Rome from 11–15 May?
(Click through to our Rome Masters web page HERE)
5. Modern tennis needs clay courts more than ever. They give spectators rallies, variety, creativity, and drama. You see more shapes, more patterns, more problem-solving, and a far greater range of shots. By contrast, men’s doubles at the highest level on hard or grass can sometimes feel over in a blink, with points lasting three shots or fewer.
So, if you would like to experience the joy of playing on a beautiful clay court — and then watch the world’s best players battle it out in the spectacular marble arenas of the Italian Open — why not join us in Rome from 11–15 May?
(Click through to our Rome Masters web page HERE)
ant to improve your doubles? Watch the women’s game, not the men’s!
I watched both doubles finals at Indian Wells, and the contrast was striking. On hard and grass courts, elite men’s doubles often means huge serves, quick interceptions, and very short points — around 2.5 shots on average, and even fewer on grass. Impressive, yes. Relatable for most club players? Not really.
The women’s final, by contrast, was brilliant. There were longer rallies, more variety, and far more points played in the one-up, one-back formation that club players actually use. Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova, who also won Miami, were especially fun to watch because their strengths complemented each other so well.
That is what makes women’s doubles such a great learning tool. You can see patterns, positioning, teamwork, and different ways to construct a point. Townsend’s volleying and Siniakova’s returning are a perfect example. The same goes for pairs like Errani and Paolini, with one excelling at the net and the other controlling from the baseline.
For me, clay is the only surface where men’s doubles starts to offer a similar viewing experience, because the average rally length rises to around 4.5 shots. On faster courts, the format risks becoming too dominated by serve-plus-one tennis.
So if you want to get better at doubles, keep watching the women’s game. You will pick up far more ideas on strategy, partnership, and how to play to your strengths.
And why not come to Rome? We can work on your doubles skills and watch some of the best players in the world do it live!
All comments welcome, Ian
[email protected]
I watched both doubles finals at Indian Wells, and the contrast was striking. On hard and grass courts, elite men’s doubles often means huge serves, quick interceptions, and very short points — around 2.5 shots on average, and even fewer on grass. Impressive, yes. Relatable for most club players? Not really.
The women’s final, by contrast, was brilliant. There were longer rallies, more variety, and far more points played in the one-up, one-back formation that club players actually use. Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova, who also won Miami, were especially fun to watch because their strengths complemented each other so well.
That is what makes women’s doubles such a great learning tool. You can see patterns, positioning, teamwork, and different ways to construct a point. Townsend’s volleying and Siniakova’s returning are a perfect example. The same goes for pairs like Errani and Paolini, with one excelling at the net and the other controlling from the baseline.
For me, clay is the only surface where men’s doubles starts to offer a similar viewing experience, because the average rally length rises to around 4.5 shots. On faster courts, the format risks becoming too dominated by serve-plus-one tennis.
So if you want to get better at doubles, keep watching the women’s game. You will pick up far more ideas on strategy, partnership, and how to play to your strengths.
And why not come to Rome? We can work on your doubles skills and watch some of the best players in the world do it live!
All comments welcome, Ian
[email protected]
