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Patrick Mouratoglou says the changing pace of grass has affected the way the players approach the grasscourt game

Patrick Mouratoglou: Grass preparations


 

Originally published on 24/06/15

"If you see any photographs or video from Wimbledon dating back at least 15 or 20 years, take a careful look, especially if it was taken during the second week. Look where the grass is most worn: it will be in front of the baseline. Look at more recent photographs (or keep your eyes open at this summer's Championships) and you will see something different: the worn areas are behind the baseline."

In his exclusive column for tennishead, world-renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou explains how the grasscourt game has evolved and how the likes of Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Gael Monfils' preparations for the Championships differ.

Mouratoglou on Serena

"Serena Williams trains on hard courts back in the US and then goes straight to Wimbledon. Ideally you would train on grass before Wimbledon, but when you're talking about someone for whom playing on grass is very natural it's clearly not essential."

 

Mouratoglou on Monfils

"Gael Monfils is the world No.1 in terms of not needing matches before a Grand Slam. At times in the past he has not played for two months, gone straight into a Grand Slam and found his best form immediately."

 

To read "Grass Preparations" by Patrick Mouratoglou, get your hands on a copy of tennishead: Wimbledon 2015 issue, on sale in selected branches of Tesco, Sainsbury's and WHSmith on June 25. Click here to subscribe.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.