Clay courts have often been referred to as graveyards for those players that prefer the quicker courts of Wimbledon or the US Open. They are a heavy, slippery, and slow-playing surface, which requires great skill and patience to master. Over the years, there have been many great clay court players who’ve made their mark in the the tennis world. Let’s look at some of the best clay court players of all time.

Rafael Nadal
This man needs no introduction and there’s no denying he’s the greatest clay court player of all time. He’s often referred to as the ‘King of Clay.’ With 14 French Open Singles titles to his name, he holds the record for the most titles won at a single Grand Slam. Nadal won 63 clay court titles in total. His left-handed style, athleticism, and relentless fighting spirit make him a force to be reckoned with on clay courts.

Bjorn Borg
Bjorn Borg was an inspiration for many young tennis players who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s. He reached the French Open finals six times and emerged victorious in all of them. He won the French Open in 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1981. In all he won 32 clay court titles. Borg was known for his calm and composed demeanor on the court, which made him one of the toughest players to beat on clay courts.

Ivan Lendl
Ivan Lendl was one of the most dominant players of the 1980s. He won eight Grand Slam titles in total, including three French Open titles in 1984, 1986 and 1987. Lendl’s powerful serve, strong baseline game and incredible fitness made him an excellent player on clay courts. In total he won 28 titles on clay, which is impressive by any standards.

Guillermo Vilas
Guillermo Vilas is an Argentine tennis legend who won a total of 49 singles titles on clay courts, including one French Open in 1977. Vilas had an attacking style of play that was well-suited to clay courts. His topspin forehand was one of the best in the game and allowed him to push opponents back on this unforgiving surface. 

Mats Wilander
Mats Wilander is a Swedish tennis player who won three French Open titles in 1982, 1985, and 1988. He was known for his versatility and his ability to adapt to different surfaces. He had excellent footwork, which made him a quick mover on the clay court. Wilander was a great strategist and was known to outmaneuver his opponents on the court.

There have been many great clay court players over the years, but the players mentioned above are some of the best of all time. Their records and achievements speak for themselves. They’ve all left an indelible mark on the sport, and their legacies will undoubtedly live on for many years to come.