Once again, zero champions landed at the French Open, but Deyo's clay strength should not be underestimated!

The Madrid Masters is in full swing, while former tournament champion Djokovic is left to watch from the sidelines. The news of his retirement also came from outside the court, and he will miss the Rome Masters, or he will choose to parachute the French Open again with zero wins on clay and zero titles.

When it comes to Deyo's clay strength, although it is not as conspicuous as the hard court, it is definitely a phenomenon. In terms of the clay king Nadal alone, Djokovic has also won a number of matches in the French Open plus the clay triumviral. Let's see:

Monte Carlo

2013 Final: 6-2 7-6

2015 semi-finals: 6-3 6-3

The Monte Carlo Masters are currently the fewest wins of any of the nine Masters, but the Serbian has beaten Nadal on his only two road to victory. In the 2013 final, he pulled onions on dry land to end his opponent's eight-game winning streak in this event. In 2015, in his peak season, he allowed Nadal to win only six games in straight sets.

Madrid

2011 Final: 7-5 6-4

The meeting between the two sides in Madrid was the first time that Djokovic had won over his old rival on clay. Deyo, who regained the Grand Slam title after three years that year, began to return to center stage, and finally joined the protracted tug-of-war between the Big Three.

Rome

2011 Final: 6-4 6-4

2014 Final: 4-6 6-3 6-3

2016 quarter-finals: 7-5 7-6

The Rome Masters has always been a two-man turn. For more than ten years, except for Zverev winning the cup twice and Mr. Mei unexpectedly winning the championship, the champion candidate can be said to be not a third person. As an important warm-up match before the French Open, Djokovic has always used the Rome Masters as an important training ground. Especially in 2021, although he swallowed eggs and lost in the final, he smelled the flaws of his opponent and finally completed a comeback at the French Open.

2015 quarter-finals: 7-5 6-3 6-1

2021 semi-finals: 3-6 6-3 7-6 6-2

Even Roland Garros, who was invincible in Nadal's game, contributed two of his only four defeats. In 2015, Deyo, who was at the peak, fell in three straight sets; In 2021, he completed the reversal after losing the first set, and finally took a step ahead of his old rival and successfully achieved a double slam.

In the clay rankings of many famous people, Djokovic is often underrated, or even in the top three. In my opinion, to be able to beat Nadal more than once in so many tournaments is very comprehensive and dazzling, and Djokovic should be second only to the clay god in the clay power rankings.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Luo Cheng Qiye)