Rafael Nadal will not compete at Wimbledon. After officially announcing his participation in the Summer Olympic Games in Paris on Wednesday, the Spaniard explained a few weeks ago on his social network account X that in what will be his last games “the best thing for my body is not to change surfaces and continue playing on clay until then.” But, What does it mean for a tennis player to have to change from one surface to another?
During my post match press conference at Roland Garros I was asked about my summer calendar and since then I have been practicing on clay. It was announced yesterday that I will play at the summer Olympics in Paris, my last Olympics.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 13, 2024
To begin with, we must remember that There are different types of courts in this sport: grass, cement and clay. The Wimbledon tournament, for example, is played on grass. “The change of surface involves adaptations, both technical (shortening or lengthening movements) and tactical (playing more directly or with more of a parabola),” Gonzalo Correa González, vice president of the Spanish Society of Sports Medicine (SEMED-FEMEDE), explains to CuídatePlus. Of course, the specialist continues, this It also involves physical adaptation since “to carry out the technique and put the tactics into practice, the appropriate physique is required for it.”
Y, How does each of the surfaces impact the athlete’s joints? “The so-called ‘hard’ types green set or porous concrete cause greater impact as they do not have as much absorption power and, furthermore, They do not facilitate rotations or lateral movements, with the consequent risk of twisting in the knees, hips and ankles.“, Correa responds.
On the other hand, softer surfaces, such as grass and clay, They are “kinder to joints in general”In this sense, the expert indicates that they absorb impacts better and facilitate movement and sliding, especially on clay.
What surface is the hardest for the tennis player?
Depending on the physical and technical/tactical characteristics of each player, there will be surfaces that are more demanding than others. According to the vice president of SEMED-FEMEDE, “in general, clay facilitates longer points with greater exchange of blows and, from a physical point of view, it would be necessary to have greater resistance”.
On the other hand, hard surfaces are faster. “The ball bounces and retains less, making it more difficult to reach and return it. Therefore, in principle the physical wear and tear would be less. The grass is fast because the ball slides after its bounce and the points are short”.
Regarding what the change from grass to clay requires for the player“would entail greater needs for lactic aerobic resistance due to the longer expected duration of the points,” says Correa, who adds that The strokes would be longer for clay courts with more preparation and topspin effects, rather than flat or cut.“In addition, sliding should be worked on to strengthen and prevent the adductor muscles.
Surface and risk of injury
In addition to presenting specific characteristics that influence impact absorption and greater or lesser facilitation for rotations and sliding, Each surface “forces you to change the way you play by implementing a strategy to develop the appropriate tactics”.
“Players must take all these details into account when switching from one surface to another and integrate the changes into their training and physical preparation,” concludes the expert.
2024-07-01 12:37:25
#Nadal #prefers #Olympics #grass #Wimbledon #change #surface #affect #injuries
