Three talking points ahead of tennis’ clay-court season

Novak Djokovic is aiming to finally win his 100th ATP career title following a narrow miss at the Miami Open. PHOTO: REUTERS

– Czech teenager Jakub Mensik and Aryna Sabalenka emerged victorious at the Miami Open last weekend, but their attentions will now turn to the European clay-court swing with all eyes on Roland Garros.

Starting in April, tennis’ biggest stars will be hoping to emerge victorious on the red dirt in their preparations for the Grand Slam, with major tournaments being the Monte Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, will aim to finally clinch his 100th title before the French Open starts on May 25, after a narrow miss in Miami to Mensik.

On the women’s side, four-time Roland Garros winner Iga Swiatek is hoping a return to her favourite surface can bring an up-tick in form, while several youngsters are looking to back up impressive starts to the year.

Here is a look at three talking points ahead of the European clay-court season.

Djokovic aiming to build on Miami run

The men’s build-up to the French Open starts this weekend at the Monte Carlo Masters, where Djokovic is aiming to lift the title for the first time since 2015.

The Serb has not won a tournament since the Paris Olympics and questions about his future were raised after successive shock defeats by Matteo Berrettini and Botic van de Zandschulp, following an injury-enforced retirement from his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

But Djokovic, who turns 38 in May, returned to form in Miami by cruising into the final without dropping a set, before being edged out by Mensik – partly because he was suffering from an eye infection before the final.

“Miami really brought me a lot of joy and really good sensations on and off the court,” said the former world No. 1.

Djokovic, who has won three French Opens, could set an outright record of 25 Grand Slam titles in Paris this season.

Swiatek hoping for solace on clay

The Polish star has endured a difficult spell, punctuated by a doping ban, and has not reached a final since sealing her fourth Roland Garros crown in 2024.

She has still been consistently reaching the latter stages of events, but has lost the aura she had when she was world No. 1. Sabalenka has established herself at the top of the rankings, but Swiatek remains the “Queen of Clay”.

The 23-year-old won a history-making hat-trick of Italian, Madrid and French Open titles last season, so she will have plenty of ranking points to defend in the coming months.

“I don’t want to think about this (defeat) too long,” she said after a surprise quarter-final loss to 19-year-old Filipina wildcard Alexandra Eala in Miami.

“It’s nice to learn from losses but there are other things ahead and I am happy we are going to play on clay.”

Iga Swiatek has not reached a final since sealing her fourth Roland Garros crown in 2024. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Teens looking to take over

Mensik, Eala, Mirra Andreeva and Joao Fonseca have all shown why they are among the most highly-rated young players in the sport in 2025 and will be expecting to continue to challenge the best.

The 19-year-old Mensik rose into the world’s top 25 with his victory over Djokovic, while 17-year-old Andreeva has established herself in the women’s top 10 off the back of WTA 1,000 triumphs in Dubai and Indian Wells.

Eala, a former US Open junior champion, defied her status as a wildcard by reaching the Miami semi-finals, while 18-year-old Brazilian Fonseca has already won an ATP title and is closing on the top 50.

Fonseca, Mensik and Eala are set for their debuts at Roland Garros, while Andreeva has already made her mark on the Paris clay, having reached the semi-finals in 2024.

American Learner Tien and Australia’s Maya Joint, 19 and 18 respectively, have also broken into the top 100 in 2025. AFP

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