British Men French Open: Historic Progress and Clay Court Training Techniques

Event Details

Dates: 25 May – 8 June
Venue: Roland Garros
Coverage: Live radio on 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app

In a historic achievement, three British men have advanced to the third round of the French Open singles for the first time in nearly six decades. This remarkable feat at Roland Garros 2025 highlights the success of British men at the French Open, achieved through refined clay court training techniques. Jack Draper, Jacob Fearnley, and Cameron Norrie have all made it to the last 32, marking a significant milestone for British tennis on clay courts. 🎾

Jack Draper secured his spot by defeating French favorite Gael Monfils in an electrifying match. Earlier, Cameron Norrie overcame Argentine qualifier Federico Gomez, and Jacob Fearnley advanced after Ugo Humbert, his French opponent, retired due to injury. With Norrie and Fearnley set to face each other on Saturday, at least one Briton is assured a place in the fourth round for the first time in eight years.

Most importantly, this success is noteworthy given the historical challenges British players have faced on clay courts at Roland Garros since 1968, with the exception of former world number one Andy Murray. So, what has led to this breakthrough?

Mastering the ‘Alien Surface’: Jack Draper Clay Performance

Jack Draper, now ranked fifth in the world, has become a formidable player on clay, highlighted by his recent performance in the Madrid Open final. At 23, Jacob Fearnley is making impressive progress in his debut professional season, while 29-year-old Cameron Norrie has regained his form after some challenging years.

These advancements didn’t happen overnight. Former British number one Annabel Croft, who once traveled to the U.S. to train on clay, described it as an “alien surface.” On BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, she compared it to American players adapting to grass, emphasizing the unique mentality required to succeed on clay.

Last year’s first-round exits for British players sparked discussions about their struggles on clay. Historically, British players haven’t had as much access to clay courts as their European and South American counterparts. In 2024, the LTA reported that only about 5% of British tennis courts were clay, compared to 60% in Spain, a leading nation in clay-court tennis.

However, new facilities are being developed to give emerging talent more clay-court experience. Explore the new clay court facilities established by the LTA.

Overcoming Barriers to British Tennis Clay Success

The LTA has established four clay courts at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, mirroring those at the Monte Carlo Masters. Additionally, partnerships with clay-court facilities in Barcelona and Girona have been formed to provide young players with training opportunities.

Norrie and Fearnley’s development benefited from their time at Texas Christian University in the U.S., where they honed a strong mindset essential for clay courts. According to BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller, Norrie served as a role model for Fearnley and others at TCU, returning to practice with them even after achieving success on the ATP Tour. This exposure to high-level competition helped build their resilience and character. 🌟

Essential Skills for Clay-Court Success

Before the season began, Draper and Fearnley were seen practicing sliding, a crucial skill for clay, in an LTA video. “When that video was taken, it was probably the first time I was doing it since maybe 2017,” Fearnley remarked, emphasizing the importance of mastering movement on clay.

Sliding allows players to transition from defense to offense swiftly, crucial for maintaining control in rallies. Clay’s slower pace results in longer points and more running, demanding peak physical fitness—an area where Draper, Fearnley, and Norrie excel.

Success on clay also requires adapting hitting techniques. Players like 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal have mastered hitting with heavy topspin, which raises the ball’s bounce and forces opponents further back, creating opportunities to dictate points.

Therefore, this year’s French Open showcases a promising shift for British men’s tennis on clay, driven by increased exposure, strategic training, and the development of essential skills. 😊