Today, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, tennis’ top two players in the world, skidded and slid across a clay court at the French Open Tennis Tournament.  There are four major tennis tournaments, the “Grand Slam”, played on three different surfaces, grass, clay and two on hard court.  Tennis widely accepts and believes the best players in tennis are those players that can dominate on all types of surfaces.

Karch Kiraly dominated the indoor hard-court 6 v 6 game and did the same in the sand, but I am unfamiliar with Karch playing any grass tournaments.  Could he have dominated in the grass too?  Probably, but we’ll never know.

Volleyball has some incredible outdoor tournaments, sand and GRASS, but sand volleyball has always had a prominence in the world of outdoor volleyball.  Grass volleyball has played second fiddle to the beach game, but there are some amazing grass volleyball tournaments that not only rival beach tournaments, but are far better venues than most beach tournaments.  If you are a true volleyball enthusiast, I highly recommend checking out these great events:

Waupaca Boatride Volleyball Tournament Oshkosh, WI
Misty May will be attending the tournament this year, hosting an M2 Clinic

Columbia Clash Volleyball Tournament Lexington, SC
Columbia Crown Volleyball Tournament Lexington, SC

Pottstown Rumble Pottstown, PA

Spikefest Volleyball Tournaments Lewisville, TX

Laua Volleyball Tournament Chicago, IL

Motherlode Volleyball Tournament Aspen, CO
Sand and Grass

Personally, grass volleyball is one of my favorite surfaces to play.  There is the explosiveness and ability to jump as high as the indoor game with the ability to dive similarly to the beach game (maybe a few grass burns on the hips and knees).  The tournaments semi-final and final matches tend to be played around a great crowd of players from throughout the day under some lights.  The scene is quite a bit of fun

(please let me know of other great grass tournaments throughout the country)

A rare, yet infamous tomahawk spike