To be honest, the homogenization of surfaces is linked to the evolution of equipment, frames, and strings, starting in the early 1990s, which led to a development of power and athleticism at the expense of technique... which led to a game that has become mostly uniform and boring, with a few very rare exceptions.
I've addressed this fact in a few posts.
#30·
Jun 7, 2024
The physical level and power have increased through the "grace" of athletics, gymnastics and other acrobatics and "high-tech" equipment, but certainly not the technical level 😌
#54·
Dec 13, 2023
Big_Juicy said:
I really don’t see what is not clear here.
It's absolutely clear.
Increase in technology, dietetics, medicine, athletics and others does not mean improvement in technique.
And the small wooden rackets with natural strings tell us about that.
modern equipment allows for a lot of technical deficiencies,
Without superfluous comparison, technology does not make Verstappen a better driver than Fangio.
I'm even surprised to have to specify that.
#55·
Dec 13, 2023
#186·
Sep 3, 2023
wake_up_bomb said:
But I can't see how you can possible say that the fitness and conditioning in the WTA is abysmal, when there are some players in unbelievable physical shape.
It is not always the physical condition which is lacking in WTA,
On the contrary, athletics has never been so forward
but also sometimes the arsenal and the technical variety, the tactical sense which is lacking, also among the men.
#51·
Mar 3, 2025
We had to wait until the 2010s.. and MTF, to learn here that the US Open Decoturf was..a slow surface..
It has never been described as a slow surface, since its adoption in 1978 until a... more recent era, let's say.
Basically, it was considered a rather moderately fast surface, but of course far from the immense contrast between clay and grass... and where all types of games could be played..
Who imagines here that McEnroe won 4 times and Sampras 5 times on a "slow" surface?
Not to mention other fast surface enthusiasts player like Rafter, Edberg or Becker?
It is not the "Decoturf" which is slow, it is its composition which determines the stiffness and rebound, by abrasion and the quantity of sand added to the covering.
It's no more rocket science than that, it has been explained in numerous studies since, and noted by other observers like Jim Courier, and it is useless to recall that the tendency has been to "slow down" (with all the consequences induced in the evolution of the game) the surfaces in general, in proportion to rebalancing with the power acquired by the more technological equipment, the importance taken by athletics over technique.
There is not a surface here as Decoturf II ( and it's the same for all hard synthetics whatever their name.)
which would be "slow" by definition, it is its composition which determines this, in particular the external covering, as it was noted that the main courts (AAS, LAS) were "slower" than the annex courts.
#43·
Jun 6, 2025
comfortably numb said:
Instead of cancelling the root cause - two serve attempts - the game's powers that be went along with
slowing courts and balls. And now we have what we have - 3-4 hour attrition fests of brainless ballbashing until career-ending injuries
Yes and
Modern technologies, including equipment, composite materials, fibers, strings, and frame sizes, have all played a role in exploiting the power, athleticism, and technical impoverishment of the game.
Give them back small wooden frames, and we'll see their powerful balls disappear behind the stands.
#76·
Feb 10, 2025
Seona Dancing said:
That's not entirely true. Laver would be taller if born today, as people are getting taller every generation. If he was small for his era, would be small compared to the field today by the same ratio, relative to todays average. Probably leave him around 5"11 or so
I agree with that, not to mention the evolution of equipment completely geared towards power, but, with Rosewall, what is certain that no one could take away from them is their technical arsenal...imo much superior to many players today..
And this is true for others like Connors (1m78..), Borg or McEnroe, whose height did not exceed 1m80.
That is to say, inferior to.. Carlos.. who everyone here says that his height is a handicap..
Discussion starter·
#8·
Nov 16, 2024
FedererBulgaria said:
The game is more physical than before, do not compare it.
Of course the game is more physical than before, and also much less technical..
The equipment has evolved, racket, frame, strings.
Which didn't stop the players from getting injured too... except that they didn't have mountains of dollars to have high-tech medical treatments while sleeping on their money while waiting to return, on the circuit... while sponsors continue to pay and even less with comfort statuses (SE etc).
I maintain, it has never been easier for players than now, from every angle I see.. 😌
That's the theme of the thread... don't compare it. it and them, the players.
Put in their hands a wooden racket now, with gut string, small frame and you will see that the game will become much less physical, suddenly, by magic..
