[Clay Death]

Clay season looms and there is a fair amount of speculation in the air. how would you rate/rank the top 5 on clay today? i will fire off the first shot.

1. Clay Monster (Nadal)
2. Federer
3. Nalby
4. Djokovic
5. Monaco

and what about Ferrer? should we give him some consideration on clay?

i am leaving out Moya (too old) and Ferrero (has lost a step). both of these are clearly done with their best days behind them.

 

[VolandriFan]

I wouldn't say that there is a "top 5". Obviously Nadal is a cut above everyone else, but when you start talking about Monaco, names like Ferrer, Almagro, Robredo, Volandri, Moya, etc are all interchangable. Their results come in streaks, but in terms of ability to perform they are all relatively even.

 

[TMJordan]

I wouldn't say that there is a "top 5". Obviously Nadal is a cut above everyone else, but when you start talking about Monaco, names like Ferrer, Almagro, Robredo, Volandri, Moya, etc are all interchangable. Their results come in streaks, but in terms of ability to perform they are all relatively even.

Monaco + Ferrer + Almagro > Robredo + Volandri + Moya on clay X10000000000000000000

 

[Kolya]

1. Nadal
2. Federer
3. The rest

 

[VolandriFan]

Monaco + Ferrer + Almagro > Robredo + Volandri + Moya on clay X10000000000000000000

It was an example. Perhaps not the best one, but you get the jist anyway I'm sure.

 

[JimmyV]

What about Nishikori?

Last month winning the French Open was going to be a mere formality for him, the hardest part would be booking the plane tickets.

 

[Clay Death]

It was an example. Perhaps not the best one, but you get the jist anyway I'm sure.

keep in mind that Ferrer`s best results last year were on hard courts. that said, he may still be a factor in some clay events.

 

[Clay Death]

What about Nishikori?

Last month winning the French Open was going to be a mere formality for him, the hardest part would be booking the plane tickets.

surely you jest Holmes. nishikori is a decent hard court player at best. he will be relatively useless on dirt.

 

[JimmyV]

No way, he's winning at least 5-6 slams this year.

 

[Ivanatis]

surely you jest Holmes. nishikori is a decent hard court player at best. he will be relatively useless on dirt.

don't think so
one of Nishikori's biggest issues is his serve, while he's moving very well and he seems to know when to hit which forehand, backhand etc.
he won't need a brilliant serve on clay as much as he needs it on hardcourt; his game seems really suitable for clay

 

[Clay Death]

don't think so
one of Nishikori's biggest issues is his serve, while he's moving very well and he seems to know when to hit which forehand, backhand etc.
he won't need a brilliant serve on clay as much as he needs it on hardcourt; his game seems really suitable for clay

he is a product of nick bollitieri`s academy. they usually dont amount to much on clay. the only exceptions have been agassi and courier. nishikori is not even good enough to shine their shoes.

 

[Action Jackson]

Nadal

Then there is no rest at the moment.

 

[GuiroNl]

Nobody mentions Davydenko?

This guy is really good on clay and was the better player against Federer in the RG SF. He should have won in my opinion and he would have given Nadal a tougher time in the finals.

 

[BlueSwan]

1. Clay Monster
Best on clay ever, without a doubt. Sure Borg's record on clay is the best on paper, but in those days the players hadn't developed those particular claycourt tactics: hysterically massive topspin, never missing a shot, etc. I say that Borg's game would lose to Nadal's on clay every time out. Nadals game us tailored 100% for clay. The only reason he also does well on other surfaces is because he's just that good, despite playing a game that is seriously flawed on faster surfaces.

2. Federer
Best player ever. Would have dominated on clay for the last couple of years if it hadn't been for the appearance of the Clay Monster. Question marks looms this season, as Federers baseline game seems to have deteriorated, now relying more on serve and shotmaking. He's more error-prone and might not do as well as expected this clay season. When in JesusFed mode, he has the tools to defeat the Clay Monster, as proven in Rome 2006, when he should have won, and last year at Hamburg, where he beat a very tired Clay Monster.

3. Djokovic
Fast improving and already an RG semifinalist last year. Doesn't stand a chance against the Clay Monster on clay, but is probably around 50/50 against Federer at the moment.

4. Ferrer
A spaniard who's actually better on faster surfaces, but his game has improved and should be great for clay.

5. Nalbandian
You never know with Fat Dave. I had to include him simply because he's the single worst match-up for the Clay Monster.

 

[BlueSwan]

I'm not including Davydenko, simply because he has deteriorated since the cheating accusations.

 

[yumo]

1. Nadal
2. Federer
3. Nalbandian
4. Djokovic
5. Davydenko

 

[BlueSwan]

A couple of years ago, Almagro looked like being the next major force on clay, but it hasn't really come true, has it?

 

[Gonzalez88]

1 Nadal
2 Federer
3 Djokovic
4 Ferrer
5 Davydenko

 

[tripb19]

A couple of years ago, Almagro looked like being the next major force on clay, but it hasn't really come true, has it?

In terms of disguise, placement and angle he has the best serve on clay because he takes the ball so much on the rise of the toss. It will be very poor if he never wins a big clay tournament, he needs a huge trophy to stick his head in.

 

[Kolya]

Judging from results from last year, Davydenko should be 3rd or 4th.

But this year, I don't think he will be as successful.