Back to the Tennis Newsfeed

Conchita Martínez Learned in 1994 That Grass Was Not Just for Cows

Clive Brunskill/Allsport, via Getty Images

Thrilled to have a few days off after a grueling but exhilarating clay-court season, Conchita Martínez, the former world No. 2 from Spain, was happy to be back home in Esplugues de Llobregat, a municipality just outside Barcelona, for a few days between Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

She had just sent her coaching pupil, the world No. 3 Karolina Pliskova, off to compete at a WTA tournament in Birmingham, England, after weaning her off clay. Pliskova won the Italian Open on clay but was upset in the third round at Roland Garros; she needed to become reacquainted with grass.