A small question about the French Open

[pixel01]

It's the final just right now. Anh I have a small question: It's clay and the shoes of players are all dirty, but the balls look not so. Quite clean? is that right? Anyone ever being inside the court could explain?

Thanks

 

[russ_watters]

They change the balls regularly.

 

[stevenb]

It's the final just right now. Anh I have a small question: It's clay and the shoes of players are all dirty, but the balls look not so. Quite clean? is that right? Anyone ever being inside the court could explain?

Thanks

I'm not sure, but when I was a child, I remember seeing my Mom clean her rugs by hanging them on a line and beating the dirt out of them with a broom. Perhaps the constant smacking with a racket has the same cleaning effect on the ball.

By the way I'm watching it now too. That Nadal is really amazing. Soderling is throwing everything he can at him and Nadal seems to have no weakness.

 

[Astronuc]

Well they change the balls - not sure how many in play though, and perhaps when the ball is hit by each racket, the dust gets knocked off.

The ball spends much less time in contact with the ground, while the shoes are in continuous contact throughout the match.

 

[LudusRex]

for your question about the French Open final. The discrepancy between the dirty shoes of the players and the seemingly clean balls is likely due to the different surfaces they are in contact with. Clay courts tend to be more abrasive and can cause more dirt and debris to stick to the players' shoes, while the balls are constantly being replaced and kept clean by the officials. As for someone who has been inside the court, they may be able to provide a more detailed explanation based on their observations and experiences. Overall, it is normal to see this contrast between the shoes and balls during a clay court match.