With WA’s very own Astra Sharma having just claimed her maiden WTA Singles title on the green clay in Charleston (USA), its time to hit up one of the five clubs across WA and try out your game on the unique playing surface which is a favorite amongst many of the worlds top players.
According to WA’s pro player and Grand Slam Champion Matt Ebden, clay courts are great for training purposes as they have a softer surface than grass and hard courts and can improve endurance. Rallies are generally longer on clay as the surface is quite textured and absorbs more shock, therefore reducing the speed of the ball, making returns easier and reducing impacts on players’ bodies.
Ebden continued to say playing on clay is integral for a well-rounded tennis player and encourages a more advanced style of gameplay with tactical awareness and strategy. Learning how to slide is essential as gameplay can be slippery, especially after wet weather.
Weather is a huge influence for clay courts. When dry the ball can have a high bounce and be returned quite fast whereas wet weather will have a slower gameplay with a lower bounce. Courts can be dusty if windy, and sticky when wet too.
The following tennis clubs have slightly different types of clay, however, offer a similar gameplay. Real, natural clay is quite rare as it takes a long time to dry after rain. Majority of clay courts are synthetic, made from a limestone base, with a crushed-brick coating on top, which is very popular in Europe and Latin America. The French Open is played on red clay. Har-Tru clay, or green clay, is a quick-dry surface made from natural, crushed greenstone found in America and is slightly harder than red clay as it is condensed heavier.
UWA Tennis Club
The oldest club of the five clubs in WA, UWA Tennis Club was established in 1914 and has a rich history of tennis and clay court match play. UWA also has Perth’s only European-like red clay surface, which is made from brick.
| Location | UWA Sports Park
McGillivray Rd, Mount Claremont WA 6010 |
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| Clay type | Red | ||
| Club contacts | 6488 2286 | ||
| Court bookings | 6488 2286 | ||
| Social tennis | Sunday | 2pm – 5pm | All ages |
| Coach contacts | All Things Tennis by Matt Ebden and Tino Vissers
0412 093 972 |
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| Website | https://www.uwatennis.com.au/ | ||
Dalkeith Tennis Club
Dalkeith is home to Perth’s only two Har-Tru clay courts, a unique crushed stone product that often is referred to as fast-dry, as it dries quickly after rain.
| Location | Dalkeith Tennis Club
Cnr Victoria Ave and Beatrice Rd, Dalkeith WA 6009 |
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| Clay type | Har-Tru (Green) | ||
| Club contacts | (08) 9386 5717 | ||
| Court bookings | https://play.tennis.com.au/dalkeithtennisclub | ||
| Social tennis | Tuesday
Thursday Saturday |
9am
9am 2pm |
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| Coach contacts | MastaStroke Tennis System by John Thorpe and Matthew Carle
(08) 9386 6906 |
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| Website | https://www.dalkeithtc.com/ | ||
Bull Creek Tennis Club
Astra Sharma’s first tennis club, Bull Creek, is home to three clay courts. There is regular social play, pennants and all levels of coaching on the courts.
| Location | Bullcreek Tennis Club
Cnr Benningfield Rd & Parry Avenue, Bull Creek WA 6149 |
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| Clay type | Synthetic Classic clay | ||
| Club contacts | [email protected] | ||
| Court bookings | https://play.tennis.com.au/BullcreekTennisClub | ||
| Social tennis | Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday Saturday |
8:30am start
7:00pm – 9:30pm 9:00am – 11:30am 1:30pm – 5:00pm |
Mixed
Mixed Ladies Mixed |
| Coach contacts | Perth Performance Academy – Eddy Kong
1300 731 034 |
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| Website | http://bullcreektennisclub.org.au/ | ||
Bayswater Tennis Club
Bayswater Tennis Club have very accessible clay courts, being used daily by social players, coaching and pennant play. The courts are available all year round, whether via club services or by hiring the courts out.
| Location | Bayswater Tennis Club
Garratt Rd Bayswater WA 6053 |
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| Clay type | Synthetic clay | ||
| All court bookings and coaching or club information | Anthony Harbrow
0400 643 355 |
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| Social tennis | Thursday
Friday Saturday |
9:00am
4:00pm 9:00am |
Adults
Junior club/community play Adults |
| Website | https://www.bayswatertennis.com/ | ||
Toolibin Tennis Club
WA’s only regional tennis club and second oldest club with clay courts, 93-year old Toolibin Tennis Club is in the middle of nowhere and is proudly locally owned and run. Toolibin are one of the last clubs to use locally sourced clay, which is taken from a nearby dam bank.
| Location | Toolibin Tennis Court
Court St, Toolibin WA, 6312 |
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| Clay type | Natural clay from nearby dam | ||
| Club contacts | Kyle Angwin
0438994469 |
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| Court bookings | Kyle Angwin
0438994469 |
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| Social tennis | Sunday | 3:00pm | All ages |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/Toolibin-Tennis-Club-104112367754418/ | ||
Be inspired to try clay courts yourself and take a look at the following videos of clay court gameplay and how Roland Garros is kept match ready.
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