Navigating the Challenges of Grass Courts at Wimbledon

The Athletic provides ongoing coverage of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Club in London. Tommy Paul, the American world No. 25, discussed a unique aspect of playing on grass. He emphasized the inevitability of falling and the importance of learning how to do it safely during Queen’s, a renowned grass-court event.

Falling on grass is an all-too-common occurrence in tennis. The slippery surface of Wimbledon during the first days, when the grass is lush, poses a significant risk to players. During the opening match, defending champion Jannik Sinner experienced alarming falls. Despite appearing prone to serious injury, he managed to recover quickly, attributing his resilience to thorough preparation and preventive measures.

“Grass court is like this, especially at the beginning when it’s fresh. You need to be prepared for slipping,” Sinner noted.

Maja Chwalińska, the French Open finalist, was not as fortunate. She injured her ankle on Court 12 during her first-round match against Mananchaya Sawangkaew. Despite holding match point, the injury impacted her performance, and she ultimately lost in three sets. Other players, such as Camilo Ugo Carabelli and Denis Shapovalov, had to retire from their matches due to similar accidents.

The challenges of grass courts are apparent, and players like Paul have developed strategies to cope. He suggests avoiding inward knee movements and trying not to land on wrists. Jessica Pegula, another competitor, questioned Paul about his technique, acknowledging the risks of falling incorrectly.

Taylor Fritz, a Wimbledon semifinalist, credits his hypermobility for avoiding injuries. However, he admits to apprehensions about certain movements on grass. He decided to participate in the Halle Open instead of Queen’s due to concerns about his performance and adaptability to the Wimbledon main court.

Ben Shelton, who played last year, highlighted the importance of body control and decelerating effectively. He emphasized learning how to move at a more controlled pace, which mitigates the risk of injury.

The ability to adapt techniques from other surfaces like clay and hard courts is vital. Players like Novak Djokovic, a seven-time champion, have mastered sliding on grass, though it demands adjustments in footing and movement.

Aryna Sabalenka remains cautious about sliding, choosing instead to focus on quick footwork. She likens her movement to a ‘small cat’ and remains diligent about avoiding potentially hazardous slides.

For many players, accepting the inevitability of falls is key. Frances Tiafoe and Madison Keys both stress the importance of embracing falls and bouncing back quickly. Keys believes that developing confidence in falling lessens its perceived threat.

Alex de Minaur also recognizes that slipping is part and parcel of playing on grass, accepting the chaos as part of the charm of this distinct surface.