5 greatest male claycourt players of all time

Modified May 07, 2019 11:33 GMT

4. Gustavo Kuerten

Hailing from Brazil, the land of football, Gustavo Kuerten was a player who always had a smile on his face. There was a touch of the Samba in the way he went about his task on a tennis court, but he was a relentless achiever on it as well.

Kuerten won three French Open titles in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and remained the premier claycourt player in the world for close to half a decade.

Kuerten probably had one of the best single-handed backhands ever seen in tennis, and also a very good return of serve. He was a strict baseliner, and had to compete with the likes of Marcelo Rios and Thomas Muster for supremacy on clay.

Kuerten won 15 career titles on clay, and triumphed in a number of Masters tournaments held on it. With a smiling face and an inescapable grunt while playing his strokes, Kuerten made claycourt tennis look spectacular, as he etched his name permanently in the annals of history.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Musab Abid