Wimbledon Defends , Court Conditions, After Significant Injuries.
Wimbledon Defends , Court Conditions, After Significant Injuries.
On June 29, slippery conditions at Wimbledon caused tournament-ending injuries in back-to-back matches.
'The New York Times' reports that many players lost their footing during the first two days of the tournament on wet grass courts. .
Two of the sport’s most respected stars were affected as a result of the slippery conditions.
First, Adrian Mannarino slipped and
sustained a knee injury while leading
two sets to one against Roger Federer. .
This allowed Federer to
automatically advance
in the tournament. .
In the next match, seven-time Wimbledon
champion Serena Williams slipped
and aggravated a hamstring injury.
The injury was bad enough to force her to stop her first-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
The grass courts’ slick surfaces
cause flat-soled tennis shoes to skid and
consequently send players falling to the ground.
In a statement issued later that day,
the All England Club defended
the condition of its courts.
In a statement issued later that day,
the All England Club defended
the condition of its courts.
The preparation of the grass
courts has been to exactly
the same meticulous standard
as in previous years, All England Club, statement, via 'The New York Times'.
Each grass court is checked by the
Grand Slam Supervisors, Referee’s Office
and Grounds team ahead of play
commencing, and on both days
of the Fortnight they have been
happy with the conditions and
cleared the courts for play, All England Club, statement, via 'The New York Times'.
Each grass court is checked by the
Grand Slam Supervisors, Referee’s Office
and Grounds team ahead of play
commencing, and on both days
of the Fortnight they have been
happy with the conditions and
cleared the courts for play, All England Club, statement, via 'The New York Times'.
According to the 'NYT,' Wimbledon is unlikely
to reconsider its traditional grass courts,
despite the evident risk to players.