Road to Roland-Garros 2023 hits the clay

Ready to slip, slide and get covered in dirt again?

That's right, it’s time for the clay court segment of the tennis calendar on the road to Roland-Garros at the end of the May.

The route to Paris has already sprung into action over in the USA, Marrakech and Estoril.

Players will continue to fine tune and adapt to the court surface change after the hard court swing over in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, you name it, they can wield their racket over in Munich, Madrid, Rome, Geneva and Lyon.

What a collection of destinations.

Here are the key talking points as the leading lights all transfer to clay.

Djokovic and Swiatek return,  injury concerns for rivals

The reinstated world No.1 Novak Djokovic, in his record-extending 381st week at the top, takes his 15-1 season record to Monte Carlo to begin his clay stint.

The 35-year-old couldn't compete during the Sunshine Double, but will be raring to go at the Monte Carlo Country Club, where he has been practising with Jiri Lehecka.

Following his Australian Open triumph, there has been plenty of chatter online regarding a Roland-Garros rematch with fellow 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.

Both of them have plenty of work, especially for the Spaniard. The reigning Roland-Garros champion (defeating Djokovic in the RG 2022 quarter-finals), has had to withdraw from Monte Carlo.

The 36-year-old, who recently received a replica of his onsite Roland-Garros statue at his academy, has been sidelined since January due to a hip injury, posting on social media; "I'm still not ready to compete at the highest level.

"I will not be able to play in one of the most important tournaments of my career, Monte Carlo. I am not yet in a position to play with the maximum guarantees and I continue my preparation process, hoping to return soon."

Nadal was unfortunately joined by countryman Carlos Alcaraz. The teenager's absorbing Indian Wells title win and Miami final run took their toll. The world No.2 telling his fans;

"I have post-traumatic arthritis in my left hand and muscular discomfort in the spine that needs rest to prepare for everything that is to come."

Let's hope Nadal and Alcaraz are back in competition asap. We'd all welcome titanic Djokovic-Nadal-Alcaraz clay court bouts over the next two months.

Luckily the women's world No.1 Iga Swiatek has shrugged off rib pain to get back into training mode.

The two-time Roland-Garros champion reassured her legion of fans with a picture on a gym bike, "back at it." Spot the Roland-Garros towel in the post below!

The Pole will be the heavy favourite to retain the Suzanne-Lenglen cup, who can stop the formidable 21-year-old?

In-form major players to have their say

Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula are three names that leap to mind.

Australian Open champion Sabalenka has impressive clay court credentials, proven in her 2021 battle royals with Ash Barty on the terre battue. Should the world No.2 continue to chalk up marquee wins over the next month, she'll improve on a third round (2020-22) best at Roland-Garros. 

Rybakina, denied a Sunshine Double in the Miami final by Petra Kvitova, is another WTA star riding an incredible wave of form. If that can be replicated on the clay, the Kazakh is primed to become a key contender in Paris.

The ever-consistent Jessica Pegula must be eager to break the maiden quarter-final barrier. The world No.3 will want to manage her work load across singles and doubles to try and peak in Paris.

Three supreme talents, sure to be in the trophy showdowns over the next few weeks.

On the men's side Daniil Medvedev's four title, five finals in his past five events has turned heads on the ATP.

The cunning 27-year-old captured his first Masters 1000 since 2021 with the Miami crown and he's back to his mischievous self.

In Florida the world No.4 correctly pointed out his clay record isn't as bad as perceived. Medvedev has beaten Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas (both Monte Carlo 2019), so if he can master the movement, watch out!

One thing is for sure, it will be an entertaining ride!

Digging deep for results

Off the back of one win in three south American clay court tournaments earlier this year, Dominic Thiem is seeking his ruthless streak once again.

Rewind before his wrist troubles and the hot-shot Austrian reached Roland-Garros finals in 2018-19. Perhaps some morale-boosting victories on European clay could galvanise the 2020 US Open winner's game and belief in time for a trip to Paris.

2022 saw Ons Jabeur and Casper Ruud compete in major finals, but this campaign has seen a turbulent period for this popular duo.

Injuries, confidence, scheduling, expectations, it's probably been a mix of all of it. They're both too effective to be out of sorts for too long. Expect a bite back from Jabeur and Ruud.

Keep tabs on these stars

The usual names will preoccupy much of the talk and attention, however plenty of players will be vying to make an impact.

American youngster Ben Shelton's meteoric rise (also winning his first ever professional red clay contest in Estoril) continues, Jannik Sinner can deliver on all surfaces and can build from his Miami final run, which included that semi-final epic over Alcaraz. Possibly the match of the season thus far?

Linda Fruhvirtova's name will pop up plenty of times. The teenage sensation ripped through clay draws on the ITF levels last year. Expect some shocks from the ever-evolving Czech youngster.

Speaking of Czechs, how about the special 30th title milestone for Petra Kvitova in Miami. When it clicks, very few can live with the Petra power play.

Add into the mix the likes of French hope Caroline Garcia, young guns such as Coco Gauff, Zheng Qinwen, then 2021 Roland-Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova, the list is endless for names ready to slide towards silverware.