Greek growth Stefanos Tsitsipas (right) and Maria Sakkari (opposite page) both prospered on clay last year
Stefanos Tsitsipas sees himself as an all-rounder - “With my game I’m capable of playing equally well on all surfaces,” he says - but his recent record suggests that he is another who might be at his best on clay. Five of the six finals Tsitsipas contested in 2021 were on clay, including the French Open, where he let slip a two-sets-to-love lead over Djokovic. The 23-year-old Greek insists that he has put that disappointment behind him. “It’s almost a year ago,” he said. “I’ve almost completely forgotten about my Roland Garros final. It belongs in the past. It was a good achievement, but it’s not where I want to be. I want to be more than the guy who holds the runner-up’s trophy.” Tsitsipas’ fellow Greek, Maria Sakkari, also produced the best Grand Slam performance of her career to date at last year’s French Open by reaching the semi-finals, a feat she matched later in the summer at the US Open. Sakkari, who lists clay and hard courts as her favourite surfaces, beat three higher- ranked opponents in Paris in Elise Mertens, Sofia Kenin and Swiatek before losing to
Krejcikova, the eventual champion, in a marathon three-set battle. Sakkari won her only tour-level title on clay at Rabat three years ago and believes her physicality and what she calls her “spinny game” give her an advantage on the surface. Badosa is another who believes her style is ideally suited to clay, though she enjoyed the biggest win of her career on hard courts at IndianWells last year. “I think on clay I can hit with a bit more spin,” Badosa said. “I like to play with spin, especially with the forehand, so I like playing on clay. I also like the tactics you need on clay, so I think it could be my favourite surface.” The ultimate clay-court test comes at the French Open, where it is notable that four of the last five women’s champions – Jelena Ostapenko, Halep, Swiatek and Krejcikova – have been eastern Europeans who grew up playing on clay. Swiatek acknowledges the advantage that can bring to a player. “I love playing on clay,” she said. “I was raised on clay. I feel really comfortable at Roland Garros. I always thought that the French Open was a big opportunity for me.”
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