Clay can be the most fickle surface in tennis, especially the kind at the French Open in Paris. The mix of crushed stone and red brick must be kept smooth and dry but also watered and moistened. Conditions, constantly changing due to the unpredictable weather, drastically alter outcomes.
Its impracticality feels obvious when a classic slow-burning baseline contest becomes a heavy-hitting power duel when the roof closes due to intermittent rain. The ball can come slow and high under the dry heat, and heavy as the wind rolls in. Mastery of clay-court tennis, rare as it may be due to its many peculiarities, has always prompted fascination.
Rafael Nadal’s run of sustained success may have permanently changed perceptions regarding this surface, but on the women’s tour, Chris Evert remains above all. Her run of 7 French Open titles – which began half a century ago – is unmatched (she also only lost once before the semifinal in her entire career in Paris). Steffi Graf came close during her run of dominance, Monica Seles showed bursts of it before tragedy struck, and Justine Henin went on a run at the start of this century.
🏆🏆 IG4 🏆🏆 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/xyNZM9sczq — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 8, 2024 On Saturday, at the intimately small Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros, Evert handed the trophy to anoint a new great into their league.
Advertisement Iga Swiatek, the 23-year-old World No. 1 from Poland, defeated Italian 12th seed Jasmine P.