On Wimbledon’s slippery grass, the art of falling is as important as any tennis shot

At the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, slipping on the grass courts has been a notable hazard in the tournament's opening days, with defending champion Jannik Sinner suffering two falls during his first-round win over Miomir Kecmanović, the second of which initially appeared to risk a serious knee injury. American world No. 25 Tommy Paul highlighted the issue ahead of the tournament, noting that falling well is an essential skill on grass. The lush early-tournament grass surface is considered the slipperiest in tennis, making falls a recurring concern for players.