5 greatest male claycourt players of all time

Modified May 07, 2019 11:33 GMT

1. Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is unquestionably the greatest claycourt player of all time. He has won the French Open a record 11 times already, and looks good for a few more.

Nadal has one of the most consistent service returns ever, and awesome court coverage. Blessed with possibly the greatest pair of legs in the history of tennis, Nadal can rule over any opponent in a claycourt slug-fest - and he has repeatedly done so over his all-time great peers like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

It is very difficult for any player to hit a winner past Nadal on clay. The Spaniard also has vicious top-spin on his forehand, and usually hits his groundstrokes deep into the other half of the court.

The fact that he only lost twice in 14 years at Roland Garros is a testament of his brilliance on clay.

Nadal has won 35 career titles on the surface so far, and that number could still increase. He is by far the greatest claycourt player in the game’s history, and might end up with 12 or 13 French Open titles at least. He has also won a record 24 Masters titles on the surface.

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.

Know More

What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here

Edited by Musab Abid