Challenges of Playing on Wimbledon Grass Courts

At the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, players often face an unexpected challenge: staying upright on the slippery grass courts. American player Tommy Paul, ranked as the world’s No. 25, highlighted this issue during a news conference at the Queen’s Club Tournament in London.

Paul noted the inevitability of falling, emphasizing the need for practice in accepting and managing such incidents. His insights have proven accurate at Wimbledon where players continue to lose their footing, sometimes resulting in injury.

Grass courts present unique risks due to their slippery nature, especially in the tournament’s early days when the surface is lush. Defending champion Jannik Sinner fell twice during his opening match against Miomir Kecmanović. Fortunately, Sinner was able to escape serious injury by absorbing the impact on his hip. “Grass court is like this. You slip a little bit more,” Sinner noted, adding that mental preparation is key to overcoming fear of falling.

Maja Chwalińska was not as lucky. Playing on Court 12, she had match point against Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew when she slipped and injured her ankle, ultimately losing the match.

Camilo Ugo Carabelli of Argentina and Denis Shapovalov of Canada also had to retire due to similar incidents. French Open champion Alexander Zverev experienced a minor slip as well, illustrating how even experienced players face challenges.

The slippery grass at Wimbledon contrasts with the more worn turf at other events like Queen’s, where the surface causes the ball to bounce higher. This suits some players’ styles but can be a disadvantage once they reach Wimbledon.

Players like Taylor Fritz have developed ways to mitigate the risks. Fritz credits his hypermobility for avoiding major injuries on grass, although he admits to choosing playing locations like Halle in Germany instead of Queen’s, due to comfort and reliability in his movement.

Avoiding injury requires not only physical skills but also mental strategies. Many players advise against trying to brace oneself to prevent falls, as it can lead to injury. Frances Tiafoe, who recently won a significant title on grass, emphasizes the importance of getting back up swiftly after falling.

Ultimately, the key to surviving on Wimbledon’s grass courts lies in remaining unfazed by the prospect of falling. Understanding that it’s inevitable helps players manage their mentality and perform effectively. Madison Keys, an Eastbourne Open winner, advises players to accept falling as part of the game, making it ‘nothing to freak out about.’