German tennis player Alexander Zverev discussed his experience playing on clay courts. He was asked how clay surfaces differ across various tournaments.
`Certainly, clay is the most variable surface,` Zverev stated. `Grass is also natural, but the differences between different types of clay are much greater.`
`There`s a huge difference playing at +30 and +10 degrees Celsius. The presence of rain or absolute dryness significantly affects it. And there`s a vast difference between courts at sea level and high altitude.`
`That`s why, for example, in Monte Carlo I`ve never gone past the semi-finals, while in Madrid and Rome I`ve won twice.`
`Temperature difference is most noticeable on this surface – in heat and in cold. The court `breathes`, and that`s very important. In cold weather, the surface becomes very soft, the bounce is low, the ball gets stuck. And when it`s sunny and warm, the court hardens, and the clay feels like it`s lying on the surface. It`s hard to explain, but in the cold you feel like you`re sinking into the clay, and in the heat – like the clay is scattered on top like powder.`
`Different courts vary greatly from each other. And the weather plays a huge role. That`s why different players often win on clay depending on the conditions. Well, except for Rafa – it doesn`t matter to him where he plays,` Zverev concluded at the press conference.
