Ready to grind the dirt: The Clay Court test

When the spring goddess’ reign over the east of the Atlantic begins, when the courts turn softer, dustier and bouncier and when rallies tend to prolong, wielders of the racquet ready themselves for the test – one on the clay courts.

This year’s clay season has begun with a pomp. Djokovic has questioned Nadal’s might on clay courts hitherto dreaded by all his peers. Though the Serb has etched wins over the Spaniard on his most favoured surface earlier, this one is no ordinary victory. It makes the forthcoming month, packed with elite clay court tournaments, all the more interesting. There will be an intriguing set of clashes, with the ones between Djokovic and Nadal being the most anticipated. It will be interesting to see whether the world no.1 can replicate this victory on the courts of Roland Garros or lose the opportunity as he did in 2011. Back then, he was riding on a 40-odd match winning streak and had defeated Nadal in Madrid and Rome but fell to Roger Federer in the semifinals of the year’s second Slam. In last year’s final, he managed to grab just a set from the defending champion. His victory in Roland Garros will have many implications, the foremost being completing a career Grand Slam- an achievement only Nadal and Federer, among active players, have achieved.

Also to be seen is whether Federer will be able to sideline his unexpected losses, including the one to Benneteau, and find his footing on the surface which, though never called his favourite surface, isn’t his worst. No denying the fact that he is very capable of owning wins on this surface over his co-top 4 players when he is at his best. He is the defending champion at the Madrid Masters played last year on blue clay. Unlike his revolting friends, he decided to give his best and that means only one thing – he was crowned the champion. Headlining the wish list of any Federer fan (like me) would be a win over nemesis and King of clay, Rafael Nadal, especially on the clay courts of France. Though seemingly impossible, it cannot be discounted. His form over the last two years has been wavering – he ended Slam-less in 2011 for the first time since 2003. He will be returning to competition for the first time since Indian Wells and his fans expect nothing less than sublime tennis from him.

And then the obvious – Nadal. The undoubted ‘King of Clay’ and one of the greatest players ever to have played the sport, Rafael Nadal, would give anything to lay his hands on the attrayant silverware at Roland Garros for the eighth time. When he can win a hard-court Masters title after just a few weeks on court following a 7 month injury layoff, a clay court Masters title is nowhere near difficult, given his standards. In all the tournaments he enters, his name will top the list of favourites. The southpaw is still a force to reckon on his favourite clay courts. Though he lost the Monte Carlo masters finals to Djokovic, he cannot be expected to bow down to the Serb again. Refilled with confidence and reassured of his knee, after an eighth title at Barcelona, he will be ready to face the tougher tests which will be imposed on him this month.

Among others in contention for titles next month, David Ferrer seems the most probable candidate. His prowess on clay courts cannot be forgotten. Though, questioning his prospects is his recent thigh injury and the first round exit at Barcelona, attributable to the aforementioned injury. The gutsy Spaniard, possessing a ‘never say no’ fighting spirit would want to build on his recent performances which have gained him new fans around the world. He has kept the Spanish flag flying high in the absence of his more illustrious compatriot. At 31, this might be his best chance to improve his record by going a step or two further than his previous final and semifinal finishes at the Masters 1000 (Rome) and Roland Garros (2012) respectively. Being a clay court specialist, which is natural given his nationality, he can accomplish better results if he can overcome his mental barrier to defeat a few higher ranked opponents.

Also to be noted is that Andy Murray is not a very strong contender – given his past record. Nevertheless, he can overcome this in the same way he overcame his inability to win a Slam. During this part of the season last year, the Scot’s name had almost passed into oblivion. It was David Ferrer who brought an end to his campaign at the French open last year in the last-8  stage.

It would be interesting to see how events proceed as one of the most hectic weeks on tour unfolds. Will the King of clay protect his fort or will it be sieged by his nemesis from the Balkans? Will it be redemption time for the hero from the neighbouring Isle? Is the Coupe Des Mousquetaires (The Musketeers’ Trophy) awaiting a new owner or is it yearning to be cuddled by the Swiss maestro? Only time can tell. Whoever might lift the trophy, he has to tread a thorny path where a canter is nowhere near possible.