From Murray to Draper: Britain’s Evolving Relationship With Clay
Seeing a British player in a major clay-court final—without the name Andy Murray on the scoreboard—still feels a little surreal. But Jack Draper is changing the script.
His impressive surge to the Madrid Open final, where he pushed clay specialist Casper Ruud to three tight sets, signaled something fresh for British tennis. Not just a flash of form, but a promising clay-court swing that’s been a long time coming.
Historically, British players haven’t exactly flourished on clay. The red dirt of Roland Garros has mostly been unkind. Since Sue Barker’s title run in 1976, no Brit has lifted a singles trophy at the French Open. Even Andy Murray’s brilliant 2016 run, where he finished runner-up, remains a rare high point.
And just last year, all six Britons who entered the singles draw bowed out in the first round. It was the third time that’s happened this century.
Dan Evans tried to stay positive then, claiming that Britain was in “the best spot” on clay “in a long time.” At the time, that sounded like wishful thinking. But perhaps it wasn’t. Because now, there’s substance behind the statement.
So what really makes a good clay-court player? Why do some thrive while others flounder? Let’s dig into the skills, mentality, and preparation that separate the contenders from the pretenders on tennis’s trickiest surface.
Fitness and Stamina: Surviving the Long Grind
Clay is a cruel but honest surface. Unlike grass, which rewards short points and big serves, clay slows things down. That means longer rallies, more running, more sliding—and often more suffering.
The players who excel on clay are usually the ones with an engine that doesn’t quit.
Take Iga Swiatek, for example. The Polish star has already claimed four French Open titles and is the undisputed queen of the surface. Her speed, footwork, and defensive court coverage are as important as her killer forehand. She doesn’t just win points—she earns them, one grueling rally at a time.
Draper has taken a page from that book. His turnaround on clay this year hasn’t come out of nowhere—it’s the result of work behind the scenes. Injuries plagued the early part of his career. He famously retired from three straight Grand Slam matches, including his French Open debut, where he had to pull out mid-match.
But that narrative is changing. Draper made key additions to his team: physio Shane Annun and fitness coach Matt Little, both of whom previously worked with Andy Murray. Their impact has been obvious.
At the Australian Open, Draper made it through three five-setters back-to-back. Then came a demanding clay swing in Europe—Madrid, followed by a deep run in Rome. Even when he looked physically drained, like during his comeback win over Corentin Moutet, he found the mental and physical reserves to push through.
On clay, that kind of grit is invaluable.
Mastering the Art of Spin
There’s no conversation about clay-court mastery without invoking Rafael Nadal. His dominance at Roland Garros—14 titles and counting—was built around his lefty forehand, loaded with vicious topspin and delivered with that iconic whip across the body.
That spin is a clay–court weapon. It lifts the ball high, pushing opponents back and making them play awkward shots off their toes or at shoulder height. It creates angles, opens up the court, and grinds down resistance over time.
“You’ve got to manipulate the court, move people around, and control the tempo,” said former French Open champion Michael Chang. “Nadal does that better than anyone.”
Draper might not be Nadal (no one is), but his ability to add spin and vary his shot selection has come on leaps and bounds. He’s learned that power alone isn’t enough on this surface—you need finesse and control.
Sliding and Movement: Footwork on a Knife’s Edge
Sliding is more than a highlight-reel move on clay—it’s a necessity. Good movement on clay is about economy and recovery: getting to the ball efficiently, absorbing the shot, and then resetting for the next.
It’s no surprise Draper and fellow Brit Jacob Fearnley worked on sliding drills before the season began. A video shared by the LTA showed the pair practicing balance, control, and foot placement on the slippery red surface.
Fearnley has benefitted too. He had never won an ATP Tour-level clay match before this season. Now, he heads into the French Open with a 9–3 record on the surface, including a scalp of world No. 19 Tomas Machac.
Heather Watson once summed it up well: “It’s important to slide into your shots rather than sliding after.” Get it wrong, and you’re either on the floor or, worse, injured.
The Need for Early Exposure
One major challenge British players face on clay? A simple lack of access.
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) says there are roughly 1,300 clay courts in Great Britain—just 5% of the country’s 23,000 courts. Compare that to Spain, where around 60% of courts are clay, and you start to see the problem.
The weather doesn’t help either. Maintaining clay courts in the UK is expensive and impractical, especially for local clubs. So, for young British players, getting clay experience often means going abroad.
That’s what Andy Murray did. At 15, he moved to Spain’s famed Sanchez-Casal Academy and played junior events across Europe. Draper didn’t follow the same full-time path but did play on clay frequently in his youth, both at home and abroad.
“I always thought I could play well on all surfaces,” Draper said recently. “Professionally, I haven’t had that much experience on clay, but I used to do well on it growing up.”
Now, the LTA is trying to bridge that gap. It has four clay courts at its National Tennis Centre and is forming partnerships with academies in Barcelona and Girona, giving young Brits more chances to train on the surface that dominates the European swing.
Green Shoots: A Promising Clay Season for Team GB
The early signs are encouraging. Draper’s rise has been the headline, but he’s not alone:
- Emma Raducanu reached the fourth round in Rome.
- Katie Boulter picked up her first clay title at a WTA 125 event in Paris.
- Jacob Fearnley earned his first ATP main-draw win on clay and broke into the top 20.
- Cameron Norrie made the fourth round in Rome, adding another solid result to his resume.
None of them may be favourites at Roland Garros just yet. But they’re not outliers anymore. Britain is starting to build a generation that can hang with the rest of the world on clay.
It’s taken time, investment, and a shift in mindset. But the red clay, once seen as a British graveyard, might slowly be becoming fertile ground.
