Sometimes clay doesn't seem to be a slow surface?

Question

I was watching hamburg masters series and the courts were playing quite fast!!

Answer 1

maybe because of the TV or they hit it earlier or harder???!!!

Answer 2

A lot of it has to do with what the weather conditions are, as well as what type of balls are being used.  If the conditions are cold and/or damp, the court will slow down considerably.  Likewise if it is very hot and dry,  the ball will go thru the court more quickly.  As for balls, there are different characteristics for each brand of ball.  For example, Dunlops are heavier, and therefore slower, than Wilsons.  Choice of balls is a big part of Davis Cup competition.  This may have something to do with what you're seeing.

Answer 3

Hamburg's maybe the fastest clay, it's faster than Monte-Carlo and Rome.

Answer 4

Rome is thought to be the fastest of the three Masters events on clay. Monte Carlo is too early in the season when the weather is still cold and damp which slows the courts. Hamburg is in Northern Europe and the weather there also is colder and more wet so the courts should also be considered slower (though this year the weather looks to be sunny with temperatures in the mid 20s C). Rome is in a hot city with dry clay courts and so the surface is very fast - Stepanek and Karlovic proved the speed of the courts last week.

Answer 5

Sometimes televised things could look different from what they really are.

You can see that there are longer rallies on clay than on other courts.

Answer 6

I think the players sometimes take the ball earlier which makes it seem quicker.