OFF: Who Will Dominate the 2008 Clay Court Tennis Season?
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Apr 25, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark
Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams are both off to a good start in the clay court season, but can they continue their momentum after hitting European dirt? Or will Justine Henin extend her dominance for another year?
Out of all the players on Tour, Justine Henin and Serena Williams are the only active competitors holding Roland Garros titles. Maria Sharapova is trying to prove that she possesses an all-court game, but will need more than an Amelia Island title to boost her claims.
Who do you think will be the favorite to watch as the Tour heads to the French Open? Tell us in this week’s edition of Open Forum Friday!
Or will Justine Henin head into Roland Garros as the overwhelming favorite again?”
Thanks for participating, everyone!
Nick | Apr 25, 2008 | Reply
Henin didn’t win a single clay court title in 2006 and she won the French Open so even if she plays badly at the German and Italian Open, I would still pick her as the player to win.
Serena, depending on who is showing up, can either lose badly or play solidly against Henin on clay. The same thing goes for Sharapova.
Henin is willing to wait for the winner on clay while players like Sharapova and Serena can’t wait and try to make a hardcourt match out of it.
Ivanovic, Jankovic, and Kuznetsova are just too mentally fragile and I just can’t pick them to win. Venus’ mind is wondering somewhere but, regardless, I don’t see her as a threat on clay.
Henin has won at least 1 slam every year since 2003, and most of it has been the French Open. She’ll go down fighting for her throne!
Will.I.AM | Apr 25, 2008 | Reply
My gut pick is Kuznetsova. She’s fit and has an all around game that translates well to clay. If she can stay mentally tough, it’ll be hard to beat her. I think her fourth round win over Venus in Miami gave her a boost in confidence, then she played excellent in the semi-finals against Serena (I think she should’ve won that match).
me | Apr 25, 2008 | Reply
my pick is ivanovic, she’s won a title on clay before and is mentally tougher than she was at the roland garros final last year. she’s improved her movement and i think the hard work’s going to pay off
gooberz | Apr 26, 2008 | Reply
Justine Henin is still the player to beat on clay. This may last as long as she is on tour. Her superb foot-works, agility and all-around game style is difficult to surpass by any active player especially if she is physically at her best.
KC | Apr 26, 2008 | Reply
I’m quite sure that Justine will win Roland Garros again this year (and probably Berlin and/or Rome as well). Clay is not only her favourite surface, she also made it clear that May-September are the most important months of the season.
She wasn’t really on top of her game the last couple of months, but maybe that’s just part of her plan
Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova played well on the American clay courts, but you really can’t compare them with the clay courts here in Europe. The European clay is the real one!
Naveed Ahmed | Apr 27, 2008 | Reply
i like very much federe lose today i am very upset federe any match lose i am so upset pls won every nadal
Will.I.AM | Apr 27, 2008 | Reply
Is there any real difference between European and American clay courts?
KC | Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
Green clay courts are harder en faster than red clay courts. The ball does not bounce as high on the American green clay, which makes it more difficult for taller players.
Dave from Tennis DVDs | Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
If Justine is fit, I think she will win the French Open. Serena would be second choice. Maria and Ana, third and fourth.
KC | Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
Sorry, what I meant was that the ball doesn’t bounce as high on the European clay red courts!
Drew Lilley | Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
Temperature plays a role as well. When it’s cooler (ie Hamburg on the North Sea coast in early May!) then the ball doesn’t bounce as high. By the time of the Roland Garros final, the courts should be a lot warmer and bouncier, but not as warm as in the US later in the year.
Will.I.AM | Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
So American clay courts play more like hard courts compared to European clay courts? Fascinating!
Diane | Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
“So American clay courts play more like hard courts compared to European clay courts?”
This is not what the players say. They say simply that the green clay is faster. Yes, it is different from red clay, but it is still a surface that requires sliding, extra footwork, etc.
Diane | Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
I think Serena is a threat to Justine this year. Serena has won the French Open before, she is very fit, and she has come out charging.