Wimbledon Grass Courts Slowest Since 2001 Impacting Top Players

Wimbledon has undergone a significant transformation in playing style and conditions, shifting away from its traditional serve-and-volley dominance to more baseline rallies, a change attributed to factors such as slower grass courts and different tennis balls. Novak Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, has highlighted these changes, noting that the Slazenger balls used now tend to fluff up earlier, contributing to slower-paced matches, which has influenced his adaptation strategy and serving success. Several players, including Denis Shapovalov and Barbora Krejcikova, have expressed frustration over the grass surface, describing it as slower and more like clay, exacerbated by hot weather conditions that dry the courts quickly. This evolution in the game has seen modern champions like Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Carlos Alcaraz, who rely less on serve-and-volley tactics and more on baseline play, while historic serve-and-volley specialists have become less common winners. Meanwhile, the pressures of competing at Wimbledon continue to affect players differently, exemplified by Katie Boulter's struggles and Sonay Kartal's contrasting rise, underscoring the tournament's demanding nature. Overall, the changes in Wimbledon’s playing conditions and styles reflect a broader shift in tennis, blending tradition with the evolving dynamics of modern sport.