Chapter 1172 Warm-up Game
Talking about war on paper is always relatively easy, because the rules, principles, and laws are all laid out before us, as simple and clear as mathematical formulas.
Sitting in the office, holding a tablet computer, analyzing the movement and bounce of the clay court, those changes, those irregularities, those landmines, he speaks very clearly and logically, not only clearly but also in a simple and easy-to-understand way. It seems that he has analyzed the clay thoroughly, but the actual operation is another matter.
"Understanding red soil" has never been that easy.
Nadal was able to elevate the title of "King of Clay" to a whole new level precisely because of his innate understanding and reading, which is unmatched.
In the past, from the 2006 season to the 2007 season, Federer had created an amazing record of 54 wins and 2 losses in the four Grand Slams and the year-end finals, winning the Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open and the year-end finals for two consecutive years. But the only regret was that he finished second in the French Open for two consecutive years.
All lost to Nadal.
In fact, in 2006, 2007 and 2008, Federer reached the French Open finals for three consecutive years, facing the same old opponent for three consecutive years, but Federer was never able to overcome the mountain of Nadal, and even lost in the third set of the 2008 final without any ability to fight back.
It was also because of this that in 2009, when Federer finally realized his dream by defeating Soderling in the French Open final, the Swiss king knelt on his knees and cried with joy.
Even Nadal, who was watching the final on TV, had tears in his eyes. He immediately sent a text message to Federer after the game to express his blessings.
Of course, Nadal is Nadal, and that is unique; however, understanding clay is a lesson for every player.
However, this course is so difficult that the new generation is unwilling to take it seriously.
Not to mention the new generation born in the 1990s and 1995s, to be precise, players like Djokovic and Murray have gradually become lazy.
On the one hand, it benefits from the advancement of technologies such as rackets, strings, and shoes; on the other hand, it benefits from the coordinated improvements in players’ physical fitness and training methods.
This also makes the differences between different venues smaller and smaller. Players often adopt similar playing styles, and there is no obvious difference between different venues.
For example, Medvedev's movement on hard court, grass and clay court has almost no change. He basically does not slide and relies entirely on his legs and feet.
Of course, professionals have also analyzed it in depth and found that this is feasible. The powerful offensive style represented by Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams is like this. They did not make adjustments based on the clay, but relied on their own style of play to win the French Open championship. This is the overall trend of the times.
In addition, the maintenance methods of clay and grass courts are becoming more and more advanced, and the uncertainty of roughness is decreasing, so that the difference between grass and hard courts is getting smaller and smaller. This also gives the new generation room to be "lazy" and they can conquer the world with one trick.
However, Graf had a slightly different idea.
Clay courts are typical slow courts, and the honeycomb soil structure obviously consumes speed and power. Simply put, power players or big serve players often find it difficult to fully utilize their advantages on clay. Once the power is no longer effective, there is nothing they can do.
In direct contrast, the tactical combinations on clay courts are more diverse, richer and more flexible, which is very suitable for players with diverse playing styles; moreover, the large number of rounds is a severe test of endurance, brainpower and concentration, which is more suitable for players who dare to make different attempts.
For example, Gawain.
Graf believes that Gawain's playing style can also shine on clay courts, but the prerequisite is that he needs to find his own understanding.
Sampras and Agassi agreed 100 percent.
First of all, it is certain that things are not easy.
Gao Wen has always grown up on hard courts. As a typical hard court player, he needs to change his batting, tactics, layout, and ideas all of a sudden when he switches to another court. This is tantamount to breaking his own habits and rules. You can imagine how difficult it is just by thinking about it.
Moreover, from a professional perspective, it is very, very difficult to switch from hard court to clay court. On the contrary, it is much easier to switch from clay court to hard court: because clay court can cultivate more comprehensive and detailed basic skills, which can often adapt to different venues and is a comprehensive training. But on the other hand, the basic skills required for hard court are much simpler and rougher, and one will suffer from acclimatization when switching from hard court to grass and clay court.
The legendary Swedish player Bjorn Borg is hailed as a unique figure in the history of tennis in the past century. He won a total of 11 Grand Slam titles in his career, including six French Opens and five Wimbledons. In 1978, 1979 and 1980, he won the French Open and Wimbledon back to back for three consecutive years.
This feat is still considered a unique feat that cannot be surpassed or replicated, because switching between two completely different venues in just one month is extremely difficult and unimaginable. The switch between different venues is definitely not just a change in the type of court.
Now, Gao Wen needs to face new challenges.
But you always have to try to see how things will turn out.
If they refuse to try and take risks, and continue to stick to Gawain's current playing style, there will be no problem; however, they will never have the chance to know whether Gawain has the opportunity to go further on the clay court, and whether his career will have more possibilities, so -
All things are difficult at the beginning.
Taking the first step is half the battle.
So, where should we start to understand red soil?
Obviously, not by reading books or watching videos.
The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!
After a brief communication, Graf and Gawain came to the court, facing each other across the net, and started the training with a warm-up game.
Both of them entered the service area, Graf stood on his left hand side, and Gawain stood on his right hand side, forming a face-to-face position.
Hand-to-hand combat.
"The range of movement is within the serving area. At the same time, the range of hitting the ball is also within the serving area. You cannot leave it or go out of bounds."
"My range is within Area 2, and your range is within Area 1."
Graf simply divided the area and smiled at Gawain.
"Just think of it as a mini tennis ball, just like table tennis. It's your national sport, so you should be familiar with it. Let's give it a try?"
After saying that, Graf did not hold back, she picked up a tennis ball, inquired with her eyes, confirmed that Gawain was ready, and then started to hit the ball.
This was Gao Wen's first time playing this game, and it was very new to him. He was in a relaxed mood, eager to try it out, with a smile on his face, expressing his anticipation.
At first, Gao Wen thought that this was just a variation of the game of running back and forth on a tennis court, and there was no essential difference between it and the training on hard courts.
But soon, after five or six rounds, Gawain realized that he was still too young and things were not that simple! (End of this chapter)