Justine Henin: The Belgian will definitely look for yet another season where she claims the clay and with it a staggering fifth title at the notorious French Open. However, Henin doesn’t arrive in great form as she has slumped when she needed a performance the most (Miami, Melbourne).

Of course, Henin knows her surface best and will focus to unload her heavy clay artillery in time to blow her competition away. It’s hard to say whether or not she will peak in time for top events such as Berlin and Rome, but she will have it all planned out for Roland Garros as her awesome all-court play and brilliant talent promises to keep her on top.    

Serena Williams: Officially on a winning streak, the American is definitely the one everyone wants to snap. Williams already shows signs of a great clay season as she is set to play in next week’s Family Circle Cup. She made her big clay triumph at Paris six years ago, and she looks keen to do it again, especially if she commits to the preparation tournaments that she could dominate when needed.

'Henin knows her surface best, and will focus to unload her heavy clay artillery in time to blow her competition away'


Her main enemy will be Henin, as when her conqueror in last year’s French Open plays to her best she looks unstoppable. But Williams likes to feel that matches depend on her, so there will be a need for her to peak in time as she looks arguably the best challenger to take the tier 1 tournaments and up her ranking, which will help her draw in Roland Garros.

Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic: The Serbian duo should be set to rumble in the clay season as they will push hard for the major titles available. The hard hitters both still have to claim their first singles Slam, a goal that some people say can only happen soon if the competition of Henin and Serena Williams decided to significantly tone down. They will play a big factor in the fate of the Serbians but both will take last year’s experiences in their stride and look to strengthen their clay games.

Ivanovic was the surprise finalist last year and could well be this year as long as she maintains her world No.2 ranking. Jankovic has always been a grafter and last year had it tough as she clashed with Henin in the semis. She will look to refine her game and rack up some big wins and titles like last year.

Maria Sharapova: It may be her weakest surface, but with brilliant success this year, Sharapova definitely has the maturity and glitz to make a name for herself on clay. She already looks eager as she is making an appearance on the American clay. Her two-week affair on the green dream will definitely give her a boost to what could be her best clay season. Even if she doesn’t win the French, she could still be the big story of the clay season if she can become a solid and successful clay court player. A real test for a real champion.   

Venus Williams: It looked promising for the elder Williams sister this year, but her season hasn’t got going and a recent illness has ruled her out of her early start on the American clay. She just hasn’t been able to hit her best this year and it might be another year where it all comes out at Wimbledon. But what Venus really needs to win on clay is pure concentration, a mindset that is as good if not better than the one she brings to Wimbledon. She is set to return in Rome where she has had good results before. 

Others to watch out for are Lindsay Davenport who can’t be counted out, Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Dementieva, who have been in good form of late and France’s Amelie Mauresmo, who is on the road to recovery will be an interesting case and should be kept an eye on.

Justine Henin, Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic look to make the best impression, while Maria Sharapova is keen to start one. 

For more information on the Clay court season and more, visit my tennis website!