Tennis players competing on the kind of red clay courts being used at the Paris Olympics this week know that it's pretty much impossible to keep clothes — especially white socks — and footwear clean while running around on what’s really dust from crushed red bricks. Some will just throw away stuff.
Rafael Nadal of Spain during his match with his teammate Carlos Alcaraz against Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands during the men’s doubles tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris , France. Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland serves against Jessica Pegula of the United States during the women’s singles tennis competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris , France.
Clay courts — sometimes referred to by players simply as “the dirt” — can be tricky. The slowness and grit can dull the speediest serves and most powerful groundstrokes. That can create lengthier points and extended matches, upping the stamina needed to succeed. Also problematic for some is the slipperiness of the surface, which demands precise footwork and requires sliding into shots.
“I have a kind of a trick to wash socks with a special powder to make them more white,” Svitolina said. “You need to put them in the water with baking soda and vinegar and let them soak for an hour — and then you wash them regularly.”
Elina Svitolina Paris Maria Sakkari Tennis Sports S Tommy Paul Lifestyle Olympic Games L
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