Pat Cash's top ten French Open champions

Listing the top ten of anything is a risky business and people will always disagree with what you say. I’ve opted to concentrate on players I have confronted in a match, across the net on a practice court or had the pleasure of commentating on for television and radio. Many will also question the absence of Roger Federer in a clay court top ten; as soon as he does win that elusive French Open title he will go straight into the list, quite possibly as high as No 3 or 4, but until then this is a list exclusive to the male champions of Roland Garros.

1. Rafael Nadal

(French Open champion 2005, 06, 07)

With his 22nd birthday eight days away he is already to finest player ever to compete on a clay court. He has it all; strength, speed, the ability to unleash an attacking winner from the depths of defence with amazing racket control and power. But he unquestionably benefits from the modern improvements in racket technology.

2. Bjorn Borg

(French Open champion 1974, 75, 78, 79, 80, 81)

Arguably the most influential player ever to pick up a tennis racket who broke down barriers in beliefs on the way the game should be played. On clay he was regarded as unbeatable because of his great mental strength and tremendous stamina. He was never tired, never flustered.

3. Guillermo Vilas

(French Open champion 1977, runner-up 1975, 78, 82)

Nowadays there are legions of Latin baseliners who play in a certain fashion but this powerhouse was the template. He was so strong and his winning streak of 53 matches on clay would certainly have extended longer has Nastase not confronted him with a double strung racket that was soon banned.

4. Mats Wilander

(French Open 1982, 85, 88. Runner up 1983, 87)

Somebody I first confronted as a junior and respected from the first day we met. People wrongly view him as Borg Mark II but he was a great champion in his own right, claiming his first French title at the age of 17 a year after winning the junior title. He was cool under pressure but lightening quick around the court.

5. Sergi Bruguera

(French Open champion 1993, 94. Runner up 97)

The first of the modern style of Spaniards who was so unbelievably fit he would go on long cycle rides with Tour de France winner Miguel Indurian and not show any fatigue. Top spin was always thought to be his main weapon and his forehand could be awesome while the power of his serve was hugely underrated.

6. Ivan Lendl

(French Open champion 1984, 86, 87. Runner up 1981, 85)

I would never say I liked him as a person but I respect him hugely as a player. People now think of him as a power player who just outmuscled his opponents and overcame them by hitting the ball with incredible force. However he could impart great spin and use slice to his advantage.

7. Gustavo Kuerten

(French Open champion 1997, 2000, 01)

What a beautiful player whose style was free flowing and classical until his hips sadly gave out. His forehand was a forceful weapon on the clay and he could summon up great winners from any area of the court. Yet his single-handed backhand was also so effective and his serve was a good deal stronger than run-of-the-mill clay courters.

8. Thomas Muster

(French Open champion 1995)

Relentless is the only word to describe this competitor who delighted in grinding his opponents down. He took his own fitness to scary levels and loved nothing better than a hard-fought five setter. As a left-hander he could conjure up seemingly impossible angles that whipped up because of top spin.

9. Jim Courier

(French Open champion 1991, 92. Runner up 1993)

Americans have never really been revered as clay court experts and watching him win those two titles was never a pretty experience. It’s true to say he bludgeoned most of his opponents into defeat with big serves and huge forehands but he was a player who should be admired for his fitness and work ethic.

10. Andre Agassi

(French Open champion 1999, Runner up 1990, 91)

Another player who did not really have a game for clay but somebody who took his hard court style and modified it sufficiently to become a champion. Some would say he benefited from the faster conditions on clay in his era but he was undeniably a master in the art of turning a defensive situation into winning the point with just one shot.

I really cannot comment on this because it seems pretty fair to me excepting that rafa still has to win this one to just consolidate his position at the top...of course Borg was simply very good and the raquet technology has certainly help nadal to the top on the other hand I guess Agassi could have been higher.