The 5 Greatest Clay Court Players Never to Win Roland Garros

I can't tell you how many times in my life I have stood on the baseline practicing serves and conjured up the image of being in the finals of the US Open or Wimbledon, the match just 4 points away. The noise of the crowd in what was then Louis Armstrong Stadium, the awed hush of Wimbledon's Center Court. The roar of the crowd and the rush of adrenalin and emotion closing out that final point with an ace up the middle.

I expect when you grow up on the red clay - as 3/4ths of the world does by the way - you cannot help but dream of that magnificent stage being in the city of lights - court Phillipe Chartrier. How many great Spaniards, South Americans, Belgians and of course Frenchmen have flitted through this fantasy? I can only imagine. Most, like me, never came remotely close to attaining those far away childhood fancies. There are a few however that have been right there, on the cusp and yet despite being among the very best at their trade were unable to fulfill a the lifelong dream of hoisting the Coupe des Mousquetaires. Here are the top 5.

5. Alberto Berasategui - Every single one of Berasategui's 14 titles and 8 runners-up came on clay. He reached the finals of the French in 1994 losing to another clay court artist - Sergi Bruguera. Berasategui's success came in no small part because of an outstanding forehand. He used a grip so extreme it was dubbed Hawaiian for being "so far west". In fact he used the same side of the racket for both forehand and backhand. Berasategui's success on clay in his era made him a favorite to win at RG he was not able to replicate the success he had at so many other clay events.

4. Jose Higueras - A consummate professional who understood his craft, Jose Higueras was twice a semi-finalist at Roland Garros. He played high percentage tennis and used a heavy ball and exceptional footwork, speed and balance to maneuver opponents out of position. He was very patient and despised unforced errors. In his career he won 16 ATP titles and was a 12 time finalist. Not surprisingly, all but two of those were on clay.

3. Alex Corretja - This Spaniard was not a flashy player but he was remarkably consistent and a great fighter. Is there any player who played more 5 set 5 plus hour matches than Corretja?! He was extremely solid off both wings and understood how to control the middle of the court with his forehand. He made it to the finals of the French Open twice, the semi's once and the qtrs twice. In fact, in my recollection I can't think of another player that so many expected to win the French in his era yet never did. Corretja won 16 events overall and was a finalist at another 13. 21 of those were on clay. He did have great success on hard courts as well and will, ironically, probably be most remembered in the US for the epic 5 set match he played against Sampras in the US Open qtrs where Sampras threw up on the court.


2. Manuel Orantes - This left-handed Spaniard was patient and consistent and hit with great accuracy. Orantes won 30 singles titles on clay (+3 on other surfaces) and was a finalist in 27 others. He won the US Open on Har-Tru in a surprise upset of Connors in 1975, this after beating Vilas in one of the most incredible comebacks of all time in the semi's.

1. Roger Federer - Can there be any dispute here? He has been dubbed the greatest player of all time. He plays with grace, style and ease. His movement skills rival that of any of the great champions and his shot making ability is second to none. He won his first Masters Series Title on clay in Hamburg, a tournament he won 4 times. He also won Munich and made it to the finals in Monte Carlo and Rome on multiple occasions. He reached the final at Roland Garros three times only to fall each time to the best clay court player of all time, Rafael Nadal.