On the ATP World Tour, the clay court season is fast approaching and we are going to look at five players that need to step up their game.
Richard Gasquet
The world number 22 has had a rocky start to 2017, a great start to the season included a final in Montpellier and a semifinal in Marseille, beating the likes of Gael Monfils and Benoit Paire en route to a great French indoor hard court season. Despite this though injuries prolonged Gasquet’s progress in America as he had to pull out of both Indian Wells and Miami due to Appendicitis. How long the Frenchman will be out of action is questionable, however when he does return to the court he needs to make major improvements as his potential on the clay is at a high standard. He has a massive amount of points to defend and will need to work that backhand on the European clay to have a chance of staying in the top 30 in the world.
Points To Defend: 585
Gilles Simon
Another Frenchman who needs to improve on the clay is Gilles Simon. The consistent baseliner is currently number 84 in the race to London and his best performance was reaching the quarterfinals in Marseille in February. Simon missed Miami and suffered a crushing defeat to Jan-Lennard Struff in Miami on relatively slower conditions. Again this is Simon’s favourite time of year with long rallies, where he can dictate play across the court being his preference. This should be a part of the season which could determine where Simon ends up at the end of the season, he needs to step up his game.
Points To Defend: 360
David Ferrer
The Spaniard is having a tough time in 2017, he has only won three matches at the start of the year with his last win coming at the Australian Open against Ernesto Escobedo. Losses against Jordan Thompson and Diego Schwartzman hasn’t helped his confidence either. Also the world number 32 has suffered several injuries in the past year which have left to his severe downfall in the rankings. Ferrer is currently 142 in the race to London, which is below the likes of Jerzy Janowicz, who we have barely seen on the main tour. If Ferrer wants to become relevant again he needs to bring his clay court agression to Europe and pull off some big results. Can he be seeded for Roland Garros?
Points To Defend: 450
Feliciano Lopez
Speaking of Spaniard’s who have had a terrible time in 2017, Feliciano Lopez. The big serving Spaniard has had a dreadful start to the season only winning two singles matches in the new year. This has lead to him being ranked 218th in the race to London. This has also impacted his doubles play, where he hasn’t faired much better with his partner Marc Lopez. The world number 36 isn’t known for his clay court prowess but needs to improve if he wants to avoid an awful draw come Roland Garros. He will need to play the best he can and improve tactically if he wants to successfully defend his doubles title in Paris as well.
Points To Defend: 270
Kyle Edmund
The Brit has had a decent start to the season, reaching two quarterfinals in Brisbane and Delray Beach. Despite this he should be progressing a lot better and needs to start producing bigger performances on the big stage. Edmund has massive potential and it is no secret that he has the game to get into the top 10 in the world, however players like Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios. He has been in the second week of a slam before and can play on all surfaces. Can the clay be the start of something big for Edmund?
Points To Defend: 187
