Jan. 15, 2007 - The tennis elite rolled into Melbourne this week for their first look at the Australian Open’s new, blue courts. After 20 years of the rubberized green of Rebound Ace, organizers dumped the former surface in favor of a different hard-court surface called Plexicushion.
Despite its name, the new court, painted in luminous two-toned blue, is lighter on the cushioning than its predecessor. The decision to dump Rebound Ace — a court severely criticized for its high bounce and inconsistent pace - should result in less variable playing conditions particularly during the heat which inevitably rises during the Australian summer.
So far, reactions have been mixed. Justine Henin thinks Plexicushion is not that much different while seventh seed Serena Williams said the court was not as “bouncy”, but may assist in keeping her body fresh. Clay players should love the new surface.
Some of the controversy around the system stems from the fact that the new surface is manufactured by an American firm and very similar to DecoTurf, the surface currently used at the U.S. Open. Many players believe organizers rushed into the decision without enough research.
As a fan, I think the blue looks nice and offers up a whole new array of possibilities for tennis outfits. Plus, the new surface makes it a lot easier to see the ball.
Loading ...
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.