Clay Court Queens: Evert, Swiatek, Serena & WTA’s Finest

The red clay of Roland Garros and other prestigious tournaments has long been a battleground for the world’s top female tennis players. While power and athleticism are crucial in today’s game, clay demands a unique blend of strategy, patience, and agility. Throughout the WTA’s history, several players have distinguished themselves with exceptional clay-court records. This article explores some of the greatest clay-court players, focusing on their win rates and achievements on this challenging surface.

Chris Evert: The Undisputed Queen of Clay

When discussing clay-court dominance in women’s tennis, one name stands head and shoulders above the rest: Chris Evert. Her record is not just impressive; it’s legendary.

• Unmatched Win Rate: Evert boasts a career singles winning percentage on clay courts of 94.55% (382-22). This remains the highest in WTA Tour history.
• Unstoppable Streak: From August 1973 to May 1979, Evert achieved an unprecedented 125-match winning streak on clay, encompassing 24 tournaments. This streak is often cited as one of the most unbreakable records in tennis.
• French Open Dominance: Evert won a record seven French Open singles titles (1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986). Her record stood for 27 years until Rafael Nadal surpassed it in 2013. She reached the semifinals in Paris every year she played except once.
• Consistent Excellence: Evert’s dominance wasn’t limited to streaks or single tournaments. She consistently performed at the highest level, winning at least one major title for a record 13 consecutive years.
• Missed Opportunities: It’s worth noting that Evert skipped the French Open from 1976-1978 due to commitments to World Team Tennis. Had she participated, her already astonishing record could have been even more remarkable.
• 7 Consecutive Clay Slam Titles: Won 7 consecutive clay slam titles that she competed in.
• Rivalries: Evert had to contend with legendary players such as Court, King, and Goolagong early in her career, followed by Austin and Navratilova.
• Overall Record: Evert won 157 tournaments and 1309 matches with a winning percentage of 90.0%.

Iga Swiatek: The Modern Clay Court Prodigy

Iga Swiatek has quickly risen to the top of the women’s game, establishing herself as a dominant force on clay. With a game perfectly suited to the surface, she’s poised to challenge Evert’s legacy.

• High Win Rate: As of April 2025, Swiatek has played 100 matches on clay, winning 89 of them, giving her a win percentage of 89%.
• French Open Success: Swiatek has won four French Open titles (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024), showcasing her mastery on the Parisian clay.
• Current Dominance: Swiatek is the only active player to have secured double-digit titles on clay.
• Madrid-Rome-Paris Sweep: In 2024, Swiatek became the second woman to win Madrid, Rome, and the French Open in the same season, after Serena Williams in 2013.
• Three-Peat in Paris: Swiatek became the third player in history to win three consecutive French Open titles.
• Recent Form: Swiatek’s overall match win record during the 2024 spring clay court swing was an impressive 21-1.
• All-Court Game: Swiatek has an all-court playing style.
• Stuttgart Success: Swiatek won Stuttgart in 2022 and 2023, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in both finals.
• Challenging Evert’s numbers: Swiatek’s success in her first 30 matches in Paris puts her in some extremely heady company. Her numbers stack up against some of the all-time greats: Monica Seles: 29-1, Chris Evert: 29-1, Iga Swiatek: 28-2

Serena Williams: Power and Precision on Clay

Serena Williams, known for her powerful game and fierce competitiveness, has also achieved significant success on clay, proving her versatility across all surfaces.

• Multiple French Open Titles: Serena has won three French Open titles (2002, 2013, 2015), demonstrating her ability to adapt her game to the slower surface.
• Dominant Period: From 2012 to 2018, Serena posted an impressive 84-5 record on clay, winning 10 titles during that period.
• 2013 Clay Season: Serena’s 2013 clay-court season was particularly remarkable, as she went undefeated, winning five titles, including Madrid, Rome, and the French Open consecutively.
• Career Record: Serena’s career record on clay stands at 179-38.
• Adaptability: Serena proved she could achieve success on her “weakest surface”, a testament to her talent and versatility.
• Titles: Serena won 13 of her 73 singles titles on clay courts.
• Head to Head: Jelena Ostapenko’s biggest tennis role model is Serena Williams.

Other Notable Clay-Court Players

While Evert, Swiatek, and Serena stand out, other players have also left their mark on the clay courts of the WTA.

• Steffi Graf: Graf won 32 titles on clay, including six French Open titles.
• Justine Henin: Henin won 13 titles on clay, including four French Open titles.
• Monica Seles: Seles won 14 titles on clay, including three consecutive French Open titles (1990-1992).
• Martina Navratilova: Navratilova won 18 clay-court tournaments, including two French Open titles.
• Arantxa Sánchez Vicario: Sánchez Vicario won 19 titles on clay, including three French Open titles.
• Margaret Court: Court won 24 tournaments on clay, including five French Open titles.
• Evonne Goolagong Cawley: Goolagong Cawley won 20 clay titles, including the 1971 French Open.
• Conchita Martínez: Martinez won 19 of her 33 titles on clay.

Conclusion

The clay court has always been a unique test in women’s tennis, demanding a blend of athleticism, strategy, and mental fortitude. Chris Evert’s unparalleled record establishes her as the queen of clay, but Iga Swiatek’s recent dominance suggests she could challenge that title in the future. Serena Williams’ success on clay further demonstrates her all-surface greatness. As the clay-court season continues, it will be exciting to see how today’s stars build upon the legacies of these WTA greats.