First clay court experience

In the midst of the Roland Garros craze, we booked a clay court (Singapore's one and only) at Alexandra Park on Sunday. It cost us $15 per hour and we booked a court for 2 hours. Thanks to my boss who managed to get the contact number for me.

It was my first time playing on clay and I must say that it's pretty fun, except for some sand grains in my shoes. I've yet to learn how to slide for a ball, but then again, the clay there wasn't that slippery.


The courts were pretty dry - it felt more like gravel than anything else. The clay courts are hidden in Alexandra Park, near all the black and white colonial bungalows. Access to the clay courts is only by car or taxi (but even taxi drivers aren't really familiar with this area).

The atap shelter.


And toilets.

This part of Alexandra Park really cuts you off from the hustle and bustle of the city, and you'll tend to get bitten by some mosquitoes if you have sweet blood like me (I've got nine bites now).

Ying sweeping the court.

Doubles partners

I need more practice so now I'm sourcing for partners in TFN but I guess I'll have to settle for Wednesday night Beginner's Club night at Kallang for now before I can find regular hitting partners. The main obstacle is securing a court to play at and another problem is that there aren't many lady players and most of the forum repliers are men. I would prefer playing with girls instead.

Oh well. I guess that's the thing with tennis - you need a location, gear and someone to hit with.