The recent battle of the champions’ surfaces, featuring Nadal versus Federer on a hybrid court, half grass and half clay, was completely innovative. When I read about the concept, it felt instinctively distinctly weird. The bounce on your side and the movement underfoot changed at every changeover (they changed their footwear at the same time). And yet, it worked like a treat. And the final score was worthy of the innovation: Nadal in 3 sets 7-5 4-6 7-6 (12-10).
I did read about the match and very interesting stuff.
Oui, j’ai même vu quelques échanges. L’idée est super sympa!
I wish I could see that match. Great idea.
I found the controversy around the hybrid court interesting as well.
S.C. teaching pro sues organizers over hybrid court:
The suit, which does not specify damages, claims Marcinkowska invented the idea of a tennis court of differing surfaces on either side of the net, received a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in November 2004 and pitched the idea to IMG soon after she got the patent.
Marcinkowska says in her suit she met with IMG in February “with the idea of having Roger Federer play Rafael Nadal on a hybrid court.” Again, the suit said, IMG expressed no interest in going forward.
Greetings — I would like to speak with you about publishing some of you future articles on sports.
Cheers,
michelle@sportingo.com