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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jun/27/in-praise-grass-court-tennis

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In praise of … grass court tennis In praise of … grass court tennis
(3 months later)
It is true that some of Wimbledon's traditions can bring out the John McEnroe that lurks somewhere inside many of us. But the insistence of the All England Lawn Tennis Club on holding its tennis championships on, er, lawns ought not to be one of them. Anti-grass whinges from the players who have tumbled over in SW19 this week should be ignored. Grass is not just the sport's original surface; it is also a very good one. The lower bounce of the ball on grass makes for a pacier and more athletic game than clay or hard courts. On grass there is not so much incentive to stay on the baseline for long, slugfest rallies. And, in any case, variety is the spice of sport. Grass courts provide an extra challenge that helps to sort out the best players from the rest, just as links golf courses or turning cricket pitches do in these other sports. Tennis, like golf or cricket, would be boring if the surface on which it is played was always identical.It is true that some of Wimbledon's traditions can bring out the John McEnroe that lurks somewhere inside many of us. But the insistence of the All England Lawn Tennis Club on holding its tennis championships on, er, lawns ought not to be one of them. Anti-grass whinges from the players who have tumbled over in SW19 this week should be ignored. Grass is not just the sport's original surface; it is also a very good one. The lower bounce of the ball on grass makes for a pacier and more athletic game than clay or hard courts. On grass there is not so much incentive to stay on the baseline for long, slugfest rallies. And, in any case, variety is the spice of sport. Grass courts provide an extra challenge that helps to sort out the best players from the rest, just as links golf courses or turning cricket pitches do in these other sports. Tennis, like golf or cricket, would be boring if the surface on which it is played was always identical.
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