Photo by Gonzalo Facello on Unsplash

The French Open is arguably the most difficult to win. The testing clay courts are unlike any other, with the famed red surface calling each player’s stamina, strategy, and precision like no other. One man has mastered the Parisian courts more than anyone else over the last two decades – Rafael Nadal.

The iconic Spaniard built up a mighty record of 112 wins and just four defeats across his 20 years at the top of the sport, heroics that led him to a record-breaking 14 French Open titles. However, with the King of Clay announcing his retirement last year, Roland Garros now has an open throne and a golden opportunity for a new champion to etch his legacy into stone.

With the action getting underway on May 25th, let’s take a look at which players shine the best on clay and have the perfect opportunity to become the City of Love’s newest monarch.

Carlos Alcaraz

At just 21 years old, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz is being heralded as the rightful heir to Nadal’s clay-court dominance. Some may say that the young prodigy has already ascended. Last year, the El Palmar-born star managed to win back-to-back five-set gruellers on the toughest surface in the game, rallying to overturn 2-1 deficits in the process. Firstly, he downed Jannik Sinner in the semifinals and then Alexander Zverev in the final to claim his maiden Roland Garros title.

Now, websites that allow betting on sports make him the favorite to successfully defend his title. If you’re someone who has been betting on sports with Thunderpick, then you may have already noticed that Alcaraz is the 7/5 favorite for glory. And considering his pedigree on clay, perhaps that shouldn’t be a surprise.

With a stellar clay record and boasting victories in major tournaments like Madrid (twice), Alcaraz combines power, agility, and a fearless playing style perfectly adapted to the famed red courts. But perhaps the most telling triumph of all should be his recent title in Monte Carlo, which proves that the reigning French Open champion is primed and ready to remain at the summit.

Despite a slow start to this season, where injuries threatened to derail his momentum, Alcaraz has bounced back to record decisive wins on the dirt. With a winning percentage of over 80% on clay and a game built around heavy topspin and a relentless baseline presence, Alcaraz is undoubtedly a favorite.

Novak Djokovic

At 37, Novak Djokovic remains a remarkable force on the circuit, defying age and new competition. The Serbian maestro is more acclaimed on hard courts and grass, as his 21 Grand Slam titles in Australia, America, and at Wimbledon attest to. However, he also has three French Open championships to his name as well, and they were all claimed during the cut-throat Rafael Nadal era.

In both 2016 and 2023, Nole took advantage of Nadal’s early withdrawals due to injury to claim his first and third Roland Garros crowns. Sandwiched in between those, though, the Serbian great had to do it the hard way, usurping the King in the semifinals en route to his second triumph. Despite now being in the twilight years of his career, Djokovic still has his sights set on adding to his already record-breaking haul of 24 Slam titles.

Perhaps the most telling of Djokovic’s current credentials is the fact that he managed to reign supreme on the clay courts of Paris last summer. Back in August 2024, the Serbian managed to win an Olympic Gold Medal at Roland Garros, ensuring that the final box on a sensational career was checked. But not only did he win gold on clay, he did so by beating the mercurial Alcaraz.

After an inconsistent start in 2025, Djokovic has finally found form, posting a deep tournament run in Miami before transitioning to clay with his trademark precision. He has plenty of red court titles to his name, with a staggering six Italian Open triumphs, three wins in Madrid, and six French Open finals. Now, he will be aiming to take the fight to Alcaraz once again and prove that there is still plenty of gas left in the tank.

Casper Ruud

When you base your game on the greatest player that clay courts have ever seen, chances are you’re going to be half-decent on them yourself as well. That is the case with Casper Ruud, who has made no secret that the recently retired Nadal is his hero and that his style revolves around studying his idol.

As such, the Norwegian himself has become known as one of the purest clay-court specialists on tour. He enjoyed a stellar clay season in 2024, including a title-winning run in Monte Carlo. With a technically flawless one-handed backhand and confidence in long rallies, Ruud thrives on the strategy-heavy, slower clay courts. And while he has shown flashes of brilliance this term as well, Ruud has struggled with consistency at non-clay events.

Luckily for him, he is back on his favorite surface and gaining momentum, boasting a 13-4 record heading into the French Open. Ruud already has two Roland Garros final appearances under his belt, but both of those ended in heartbreak, firstly at the hands of his hero and then Djokovic the following year. Don’t rule out a third final showing this year, and perhaps a maiden triumph as well.