French Open
It’s time to retire the words “clay court specialist”
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It’s time to retire the words “clay court specialist”
Modern tennis is largely shaped by the skill set it takes to currently succeed at Roland Garros: sharp-shooting accuracy, racquet head speed and aggression. If you can make it in Paris, you can make it anywhere.
Published May 25, 2022
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A remarkably low pulse, a two-handed backhand, an aptitude for hitting topspin higher than ever and two of the fastest legs in tennis history made Borg (center) a new kind of clay-court natural.
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The first game of the 1978 final between Borg and Guillermo Vilas (right) featured two rallies north of 35 shots. Later came one 86 shots long.
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Gustavo Kuerten, a free-spirited talent, arrived at Roland Garros in 1997 armed with a string that revolutionized tennis.
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Sound as Nadal is at patrolling the court, he is a forthright aggressor on clay, keen to terminate rallies.
© 2005 Getty Images