Thais must be groomed to play on clay

This scenario has occurred since former Thai No 1 Tamarine Tanasugarn reached her prime years ago and now her successor Luksika Kumkhum is following her footsteps by not entering any clay-court tournaments. Ranked 118th in the world, the teenager could take her chance in several WTA events in Europe, at least in the qualifying action, but she has opted to play in just two low-profile events, in Phuket and Japan, to avoid the court she is not comfortable with. In a recent interview, she explained she would rather compete on a surface she felt more comfortable on. I agree with her point of view to a certain degree, but she cannot escape forever if the goal is to be among the best. And to be on top you have to have the ability to adjust and play in any condition, on any surface. The bottom line is there are 11 clay-court events during the first five months of the year which, if you are really determined, could pay off in terms of ranking points.

Obviously Asia is not a clay-court hub as cement surfaces are what most Asian players grow up on. That’s why players from the East are not quite successful on the European dirt, except in the case of Chinese Li Na who, as the dark horse, triumphed at Roland Garros to become the first Asian Grand Slam singles winner. Tennis, originally, started on clay in Europe, and subsequently clay courts prevailed in that continent and European players first picked up their racquets on them. That explains why European people are technically solid on the surface and can slide naturally on it, which is one of the key components to do well on this surface.

Tamarine and Paradorn Srichaphan once said no matter how hard they tried, they just could not move as well as their European rivals. I couldn’t agree more as the two really looked awkward on clay and were more beatable compared to faster surfaces. Even the current Thai No 1, Danai Udomchoke, gave up playing on this surface and has chosen to play only on hard and grass courts in recent years.

And now that norm somehow has been passed on to the younger generation here. If not tackled right at this instant, I’m afraid it would become somewhat of a bad precedent for the younger players.

So, it remains a challenge for the concerned authority, also known as the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand, whether they will take some measures or let their players run away from one clay court event after another. Recently the LTAT came up with some good news. With a Bt1 million support from ThaiBev, it plans to construct artificial clay courts within its compound at the National Tennis Development Centre in Muang Thong Thani. 

But unfortunately this is not the first time that a clay-court plan has floated around the LTAT headquarters. I reckon around a decade ago, big boss Suwat Lipatapanlop babbled about this before taking office. Years have gone by and I have yet to see these castles built in the air becoming a ground reality. 

Wishfully, changes are coming and projects and plans would be implemented, otherwise Thai players will never have the chance to lay their feet or practice on home clay court. Let me wrap up my column with the old saying: “Actions must speak louder than words.”