From May 25, the French Open brings tennis fans the only Grand Slam encounter between those well-insured feet and a red clay surface all year.
So far this year we’ve seen just one Grand Slam, the Australian Open, with the French Open looming and Wimbledon not far behind.
There have been numerous other tournaments where the regulars have succeeded yet again, but we’ve seen fresh talent rising up through the ranks.
As always, age does not seem to hinder the heroic. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are still reigning as royals in the top two spots in the world rankings, with Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka and Roger Federer trailing behind in third and fourth.
The WTA is expecting to see Serena Williams conquer the women’s draw if historical trends sway a similar way.
Men’s Contenders
Stanislas Wawrinka
Monte Carlo hosted the beginning of the clay court season, where Wawrinka defeated Swiss rival Federer in three sets. The Swiss No. 1 and world No. 3 can contend for the title at Roland Garros if he performs with the same vigour as he when he defeated Nadal in the Australian Open final.
Roger Federer
Following much speculation over whether he’d appear due to the birth of his twin sons, Federer is most definitely back in the game.
After a two-week break after playing the Monte Carlo final, a tune-up for Paris at the Italian Open – his sole performance in the past five weeks – ended in defeat. Jeremy Chardy, ranked 47th, bounded across the court with impeccable technique to win the match in 1-6, 6-3, 7-6.
The outlandishly talented 32-year-old is still a contender to potentially end Nadal’s reign at Roland Garros, having won the tournament in 2009 and finished runner up in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011. With the aura that exists around him similar to that of surfing legend Kelly Slater, it could be said that he is ripening with age.
Unfortunately, Federer possesses a particular downfall – clay. Even though we must not rule him out, he has not been successful in adjusting his movements and technique to the clay courts, nor altering the high topspin hit to his backhand.
Rafael Nadal
Clay-court master Rafael Nadal has the ability to put fear in the hearts of opponents when performing on his favourite surface.
A ninth Roland Garros victory is a distinct possibility, as he becomes a different performer not only clay, but also in the context of a five-set match. His past success at Roland Garros is almost unfathomable, winning eight of the past nine titles and completely dominating the decade.
In an analysis of his previous performances at the French Open, Nadal is known to stay at the baseline and thus has the ability to return more attacking shots than expected. The depth of Centre Court is in favour of defenders rather than attackers, and Nadal milks this to perfection.
It hasn’t been a bright 2014 for Nadal so far, as it is the first time since 2004 that he has lost over two matches in a season on clay. If this is a precursor of what is to come, the quest for more silverware may be up in the air.
Novak Djokovic
Making all the right moves in a bid to return to world No.1, at the 2014 Internazionali BNL d’Italia final Djokovic faced Nadal for a record 41st time in their history as cat and mouse.
This year has seen Djokovic easily defeated by Federer in Monte Carlo, however the win over Nadal at the Rome Masters has many minds boggled as to the likely Roland Garros victor.
The Serbian has won four straight matches over Nadal, including the Italian Open final. Additionally, Djokovic is just one tournament from the acquisition of a career Grand Slam, a goal that may see the Serb interfere in Nadal’s supremacy.
Women’s Contenders
Serena Williams
Despite a fairly questionable preparation, Serena Williams remains a heavy favourite to own the clay at Roland Garros.
Statistics do alert us to the possibility that the event will stay surprisingly open, as Williams has only won the event once with her victory over Maria Sharapova just last year. Outsiders have often excelled out of nowhere, with 12 of the 20 finalists in the past 10 years seeded out of the top five.
A major concern for Williams fans may be her loss to Ana Ivanovic in the Australian Open, and the lack of tournaments on clay this year – just one.
On the other hand, whenever Williams dominates in Rome, she does the same at Roland Garros. Her Rome Masters title victory was a simple 6-3, 6-0 over Italian hopeful Sara Errani, marking Williams’ third Rome title, 60th career title and 11th clay title.
This is not to downplay Errani, who is be a dark horse a dark horse for the French Open after beating Li Na on her way to the Rome final.
Victoria Azarenka
Installed in many hearts and minds as second favourite, the Belarussian has had to pull out of Roland Garros due to a left foot injury.
Maria Sharapova
Sharapova has performed better on clay than any other player so far this year. She has been likened to the female version of Nadal on clay, altering and adjusting her technique to dance flawlessly across the surface.
Preceding Rome, the 2012 French Open titleholder was unbeaten on clay in 2014. Sharapova has won Stuttgart and Madrid, both clay courts, and took out four of the top five and three French open winners en route to those titles.
Rome recently hosted a final between Sharapova and Ivanovic in which the latter won 6-1, 6-4. It did not come easy. Sharapova’s form on clay and development has been outstanding, and there are high hopes for her to reclaim her crown of 2012.
Li Na
A very strong contender in competition with Sharapova, world No. 2 Li Na demolished Australian Samantha Stosur 6-3, 6-1 at the Italian Open. The 2011 Roland Garros champion was subsequently defeated by Italian Sara Errani on her home ground after a surprisingly inconsistent performance.
In the defeat over Stosur, she set high standards for herself regarding clay court results this season. She is a definite title prospect, but only if Sharapova fails early.
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
The clay season promises to be one of high level and tight margins. With the Monte Carlo open just around the corner, it will…
In incredible scenes, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz's quarter-final clash with Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells was halted abruptly due to a "bee invasion." Less…
Marathon man Jordan Thompson has finally clinched his first ATP Tour title, with the Australian upsetting Norwegian Casper Ruud to lift the trophy in…
Alex de Minaur has earned the perfect 25th birthday present, booking a place in the final of the Rotterdam Open with an emphatic revenge…
While watching the recent Australian Tennis Open I became obsessively fixated on the same thought. Why has no one done a television biopic or…
'Murray’s plight continues'. The words on commentary as the former world number 1 slumped to a sixth straight defeat against Tomas Machac at the…
