Novak Djokovic, world primary, claimed to have injured himself by slipping on the Philippe Chatrier court docket, the place there was not sufficient clay in line with him, this Monday, June 3. Do you know that the historical past of clay begins within the Alpes-Maritimes?
The clay of Roland Garrosis being talked about. Certified for his fifteenth quarter-final in a row at Roland-GarrosNovak Djokovic nearly gave up within the spherical of 16 towards Francisco Cerundolo, Monday June 3.
The fault lies with an damage contracted within the second set. Novak Djokovic railed towards the state of the Philippe Chatrier court docket, accountable in line with him for this damage: “Due to the drier, hotter circumstances that affected the pitch, it turned very slippery. I injured my knee in the present day due to that, as a result of I slipped. Everybody slips on the clay, positive. However I slipped too many occasions.
We let you know every little thing about its historical past which spanned the entire of France, from Vallauris within the Alpes-Maritimes to the Waziers brickworks within the North.
Initially, tennis was the tennis recreation performed by aristocrats within the 18th century. A sport that they practiced on grass with nails to mark off the pitch.
Till the arrival in Cannes of jumeaux Renshaw in 1878. These lords had been keen about tennis and really shortly, they invited their buddies, had courts constructed and arranged competitions. However taking part in on grass doesn’t go well with them, notably due to the sunshine and drought. Throughout a go to to Vallauris nonetheless within the Alpes-Maritimes, they uncover the work of potters who use this terracotta powder, this well-known purple earth.
They then determined to unfold this uncooked materials on soil with, then with out, grass to make clay.
At Roland Garros, it’s Philippe Vaillant who has managed court docket upkeep for a few years and this land that we are saying is “one of the best on this planet.” In his fingers: 40 tons of gorgeous ocher earth.
Throughout the match, it’s a an actual “military” which arrives as reinforcement to take care of these 32 courts. The phrase is hardly too sturdy. The 200 staff are recognizable by their blue outfit in the course of the week, white on the weekend.
We discover pebbles to kind the draining layer, clinker for a water reserve, the compacted limestone screed and above, the crushed brick for visible distinction. This additionally permits for gliding and help for the gamers. Do not search for land, there is no!
Philippe Vaillant, in command of the grounds at Roland Garros
Franceinfo.
Good LTC was based in 1890 at Parc Impérial in Good when clay started to cowl the courts. With its 18 clay courts, and its quite a few competitions, the tools of the Good Garden Tennis Membership are intently monitored right here. Not a day goes by with out brokers, educated with specialists from Roland-Garros programs, taking good care of it.
“Clay is a residing materials that have to be taken care of day by day,” in line with Didier Frantz, former sports activities director at Good LTC.
“Right here, we play all yr spherical. It’s due to this fact essential that the pitches meet the expectations of the gamers. Whether or not it’s sizzling or chilly, these temperatures deteriorate the pitches,” in line with Didier Frantz, former sports activities director at Good LTC
►See the France 3 Côte d’Azur report on the preparation of clay for the Good Côte d’Azur Open on Could 7, 2012:
Because of this each night, all of the tennis courts are nearly flooded to deal with the drought and the Mediterranean local weather. Appreciable watering is required to take care of humidity, particularly in the course of the summer time interval.
If needed, discussions are repeatedly undertaken to utterly redo the programs. In 2020, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) solely lists 16% clay courts. There are 4,963 clay courts.
In a 2017 interview, the tools supervisor on the FFT defined the drop within the variety of ocher pitches:
It’s defined by “the ‘10,000 courts’ operation initiated within the Eighties and which primarily enabled the event of laborious courts”. However in the present day, the FFT and its leaders want, with the federal program, to revive all their letters of the Aristocracy to conventional earth courts and golf equipment. Firstly as a result of this floor presents many qualities.
To help this floor which we perceive is delicate by way of upkeep and promote its improvement, an affiliation even provides to defend it! That is the ADTB: affiliation for the protection of clay.
As for the French Tennis Federation, the FFT, its “tools service” provides a free service to all affiliated golf equipment, by way of the leagues, with a view to advise and help them, from the upkeep of current courts to the development of recent tools. Financing is even potential.
As for the “purple gold” of Roland-Garros, It stays to be seen who would be the king this yr.