With the 2013 US Open looming large on the tennis horizon . . .?

This is an interesting question. I think Federer is the biggest of all names to be playing, but that's for racquet purposes and all. But for some of the others, clay is the preferred surface. Not to say they can't play on hard courts, but why not stay in Europe for a little longer. The fields may be a little weaker and it could be a chance for better results.

Also, maybe players aren't as worried about having to adjust to different surfaces as they once were in the past. It speaks to how the surfaces have all come closer together.

***With the 2013 US Open looming large on the tennis horizon . . .?

. . . why are many elite-level tennis players still playing clay court events?***

Many of the top players [Europe, South America, Asia, etc]

- grew up on clay [unlike us Yanks]

- prefer to play on clay,

- they like to be close to home [which is not in the USA], and also

- they know that playing on hard courts tears up the joints [ankles, knees, spine, hips, etc] a lot faster than playing on clay does.

They may also feel that they can get ready with 2 or 3 weeks preparation ahead of the US Open, just as well as 4 or 5 weeks ahead.

Play well, my friends :-)

that is actually so fliping strange

makes no sense what so ever

the only explanation i gather

to preserve there joints cause its easier on them

they have rogers cup and cinci to train