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The 10 best clay court specialists of all time

clay court
Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Clay courts in tennis are slow outdoor courts with a specific composition of crushed materials such as brick or shale that make the balls bounce higher and slower than other types of court surfaces, impacting the game’s pace. Players usually want to slide into the shot for balance, and the surface favors a consistent baseline game.

The French Open is the ultimate clay court tennis event, in which the top players show their endurance in one of the most demanding tournaments. Here are the top 10 clay court specialists in the tournament’s history, with their total clay court titles.

10. Rod Laver

Clay court specialist Rod Laver
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9. Ilie Nastase

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8. Thomas Muster

Thomas Muster
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7. Guillermo Vilas

Guillermo Vilas
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6. Gustavo Kuerten

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5. Novak Djokovic

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4. Mats Wilander

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3. Ivan Lendl

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2. Björn Borg

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1. Rafael Nadal

June 5, 2022; Paris, France; Rafael Nadal (ESP) poses with the trophy after winning  the men s singles final against Casper Ruud (NOR) on day 15 of the French Open at Stade Roland-Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
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