The Athletic offers live coverage of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships. At the All England Club in London, players face the unique challenge of playing on grass courts, which are known for being slippery.

The Art of Falling on Grass

Tommy Paul, an American tennis player ranked 25th globally, highlighted a frequent issue players encounter: falling on grass. He spoke during a news conference at Queen’s, a notable grass-court event in southwest London. He explained that while no player wants to fall, it’s inevitable. Practicing falls becomes crucial, much like any other tennis skill.

Paul’s insights rang true in the early Wimbledon rounds, where players losing their footing is as common as strawberries and cream. Grass is tennis’ most slippery surface, especially during the tournament’s first days when it is lush.

Notable Incidents

On the tournament’s opening day, defending champion Jannik Sinner suffered serious-looking falls during his match against Miomir Kecmanović. Yet, Sinner managed to carry on, reflecting on how players must prepare and remain unfazed after such incidents.

Conversely, French Open finalist Maja Chwalińska wasn’t as fortunate. During her first-round match, she suffered an ankle injury after slipping. She later acknowledged her inexperience on grass. Similar incidents impacted players like Camilo Ugo Carabelli and Denis Shapovalov, who retired due to falls.

Adaptation and Techniques

Many players have sought ways to adapt movements from other surfaces like clay or hard courts to grass. Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are notable examples, showing expertise in maintaining effective movements on grass.

Jessica Pegula, a top women’s seed, shared her approach to avoiding falls by preventing bracing with hands, reducing the risk of wrist injuries.

Developing Confidence and Technique

Taylor Fritz credits his hypermobility for avoiding grass court injuries. Despite fears of slipping, he manages to mitigate risks. Such confidence in movement helps players like Ben Shelton approach falls with a controlled pace.

Frances Tiafoe and Madison Keys emphasize embracing falls. Tiafoe likens it to childhood, where the key is to get up quickly after a fall. Keys suggests that understanding and not resisting falling makes players less apprehensive.

Embracing the challenge of playing on grass courts and learning how to fall correctly can reduce injury risk. This mindset is essential for players aiming to succeed on this unique surface.