Is RG the most difficult major to win?

Sometimes you’re alone in a point of view. That’s where I stood – well, sat – during last night’s show. That is, however, until former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez came to my rescue.

The debate topic was a fun one: Is Roland-Garros the most difficult major to win? and I knew our ‘Live at Roland-Garros’ expert Daniela Hantuchova, herself a former world No.5, was going to say her answer was “yes”, but I wanted to disagree for the sake of it – and because I truly do feel like the US Open offers more challenges (well, different challenges!) than those here in Paris.

Watch the full discussion with the 'Live at Roland-Garros' team below:

But first, Hantuchova made her (strong) case on the show: “It’s all because of the clay. The matches get so physical and so unpredictable. Mentally, the conditions can challenge you so much. The surface makes it extremely hard, especially for the guys, over five sets. It’s so demanding.”

Our field reporter Eli Weinstein went around the grounds to find out what some familiar faces in the sport thought, and – much to my chagrin – they sided with Hantuchova: Paris is the most challenging.

Pat Cash: “It was for me. I never got even close (to winning it). The rallies here go on and on.”

Cedric Pioline: “Yes, (because) for the men it’s five sets on clay over two weeks.”

Kim Clijsters: “I think so. Probably that with Wimbledon, because neither one of those I won.”

But Martinez, the current coach to No.2 seed Karolina Pliskova, was on Team McCarvel (even if she didn’t realise it). “For me the US Open was the hardest one to play,” she told Eli.

I thought I had a fighting chance with that support in the debate, but then my co-host Gigi Salmon went onto the side of Daniela (and the others). Hantuchova brought in the Federer factor: The fact that Roger has won here just once in his illustrious career.

“Roger, himself, it’s the best example. He’s only won here once.”

But as for my choice? To me, it’s the US Open because it’s the final major of the year, the traffic, the noise, the New York crowds, the night sessions, the heat and humidity. I guess I’m biased being a New Yorker myself.

Or perhaps I’m just flat out wrong?

And, turns out, social media was on Daniela’s side, too. Of the 12,620 votes across the Roland-Garros Twitter and Instagram accounts, a whopping 72 percent of fans said that, yes, they think Paris is the hardest.

Thoughts? Opinions? No votes? Or love for our friends Down Under at the Australian Open or on the pristine grass courts of Wimbledon?!

Needless to say, every major is difficult to win. That’s what make them so meaningful.

But for now, it seems Paris takes the crown. And I’m happy to admit my defeat. It was at least a four-setter, wasn’t it?

Vote in today’s discussion on our Twitter and Instagram. The questions is: Is Roland-Garros the most fashionable Slam? And don’t forget to tune in live from 7pm Paris time to find out the results - and to join in on the debate.