News

Har-Tru Sports, the leading manufacturer of clay courts, recently teamed up with USTA NorCal to provide some of California’s top juniors the unique opportunity to train on clay courts on July 9 and 10. In an effort to inspire young players to become the next tennis champions by learning to play on clay, Har-Tru’s NorCal Clay Court Workout events were open to players who had qualified for the Clay Court Nationals, and Northern California players who ranked in the top 20 of each age division. The two-day event took place at two facilities in Northern California: Napa Valley Country Club and the Flora Vista Inn.

Approximately 20 young players ranging from ages 12 to 16 attended Har-Tru’s NorCal Clay Court Workouts, where they learned clay court strategy, tactics and footwork. Topics addressed included movement and balance, learning to slide, using depth and spin versus power, controlling the point, playing offense versus defense, how to get your opponent out of position, and shot selection.

“The level of talent in Northern California is tremendous,” said Pat Hanssen, Director of Sales & Marketing for Har-Tru Sports and a former player and coach. “These kids are extremely intelligent and have access to some of the best coaches I have seen. Our goal was to provide young players with clay-specific training and coaching — something they sorely lack out West — that will have a positive impact on their game, and give them experience to draw on as they head East for the biggest tournaments of the year.”

Har-Tru believes that providing juniors with more training opportunities and competition on clay will lead to more well-rounded players, and will better serve these players as their careers progress.

Clay courts have served as a training surface to an astounding 88 percent of male players who have reached the top 10 in the world since rankings were kept. Most of the world’s leading tennis pros and champions train or craft their games on clay because clay it is a much slower playing surface and the player has to be more strategic in setting up points.

Based in Charlottesville, Va., Har-Tru Sports is the leading provider of clay courts, lighting and court accessories. The company has been developing innovative tennis products and making clay court ownership a reality for avid and competitive tennis players for more than 40 years. The company has a passion for tennis and is taking a leadership role in advancing the game while enhancing the playing experience through innovative products.