Historically, the European clay-court swing has been a notoriously difficult stretch for American men. Until Ben Shelton won the ATP 500 BMW Open in Munich just last month, no American man had won a European clay-court title above the ATP 250 level since Andre Agassi captured the Rome Masters way back in 2002.
Raised on the fast, hard courts of North America, acing the slow red dirt of Roland Garros doesn’t come naturally to players outside of Europe or South America. However, a shift in Parisian weather is flipping the script this year, and Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul talked about how it will help them.
Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul Believe Fast Clay Boosts Their French Open Hopes
The unexpectedly hotter and drier conditions at the courts at Roland Garros make the clay play faster. This dry heat prevents the clay from slowing the ball, favoring the style of play American players are used to.
On the presser after their first-round matches, Tiafoe, Paul, and Shelton were quick to note the difference and how it can be an edge.
“It makes the court a little slippery for me, I think. But also, it plays much faster, which definitely helps us,” said Tiafoe. “I think American guys are going to really enjoy that. It makes movement a little harder on the clay because, obviously, the court just gets a lot more dry. But the faster it is, the better for me on the clay court.”
Paul echoed the sentiments. “In terms of all the Americans, I think most of us enjoy a little bit faster conditions. I’m pretty sure Ben played; yeah, he won. Probably played pretty well. And Foe as well… I think it’s a good thing overall. As soon as I feel like I can get a little bit better timing down, I think it’s helpful for me.”
For Shelton, the advantage isn’t just about the speed of the court. Because many American players train in the heat of Florida, the high temperatures in Paris feel more familiar. The world No. 5 also noted the increased media spotlight, specifically mentioning domestic coverage by TNT and Bleacher Report, as a motivating factor for the younger generation.
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“We’re just more used to dealing with it. All of us live in Florida, so that physical part becomes less of a factor, and most of us do play well on fast courts. … The heat is a factor as well and is going to help us, but I expect good things from this US group that we have at this tournament,” Shelton explained.
All three won in their first-round matchups on Monday. Shelton beat Spanish qualifier Daniel Merida Aguilar in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, while Tiafoe faced a slightly tougher test against fellow American Eliot Spizzirri, but ultimately won in four sets 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3. Paul dropped his opening set to Australia’s Rinky Hijikata, but secured a four-set victory 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. They will next take the court for their second-round matchups on Wednesday, with opponents to be determined.