By Tony Fairbairn
- There were no British wins in the main draw of the singles event at Roland Garros, but how did the rest of the clay court season go?
- Men’s Singles: Cameron Norrie [32], Jack Draper, Dan Evans, Andy Murray, Jan Choinski, Oliver Crawford, Billy Harris, Ryan Peniston
- Women’s Singles: Katie Boulter [26], Harriet Dart, Emma Raducanu, Yuriko Liliy Miyazaki, Heather Watson
PARIS, FRANCE – There was a first round exodus at Roland Garros but did the Brits fare any better over the rest of the clay court season?
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There were no British wins in the first round of Roland Garros for the first time since 2020 as all six singles players crashed out in the opening round. There were encouraging performances from Katie Boulter and Jack Draper throughout the clay court season while Cameron Norrie was the big disappointment of the clay court season as he failed to produce a standout performance. As attention turns to the grass court season, let’s see which players have room to be optimistic ahead of their home Grand Slam and which players have work to do ahead of the biggest part of the season.
Men’s Singles
Cameron Norrie [32]
A very disappointing clay court season for Norrie with there being no real standout victories although a quarter-final in Barcelona could be seen as a positive. However Norrie failed to back that up and a five set first round exit to Pavel Kotov summed up Norrie’s season on the red dirt, a surface he is so comfortable on in the past. The British number one will hope that he can return to his aggressive tennis at the start of the season in the grass court season as he has minimal ranking points to defend over the next few weeks.
2024 Clay Court Season Results:
ATP Monte-Carlo:
- R1: Karen Khachanov 5-7 6-7(3)
ATP Barcelona:
- R2: Harold Mayot 7-6(3) 6-7(6) RET
- R3: Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4 6-3
- QF: Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-7(4) 6-7(1)
ATP Madrid:
- R2: Joao Fonseca 6-1 6-4
- R3: Casper Ruud 2-6 4-6
ATP Rome:
- R2: Jaume Munar 6-3 1-6 6-3
- R3: Stefanos Tsitsipas 2-6 6-7(1)
Roland Garros:
- R1: Pavel Kotov 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-7(5) 2-6
Jack Draper
An overall positive clay court season for Draper having held up physically without injuries while also testing Hubert Hurkacz and Taylor Fritz. However a five set defeat to qualifier Jesper De Jong at Roland Garros will be a big blow as the Brit now looks to improve his serve in pressure moments ahead of a big grass court season having missed Wimbledon last year.
2024 Clay Court Season Results:
ATP Monte-Carlo:
- R1: Hubert Hurkacz 4-6 6-3 6-7(2)
ATP Munich:
- R1: Vit Kopriva 6-1 5-7 6-4
- R2: Rudolf Molleker 4-6 6-1 6-1
- QF: Taylor Fritz 6-4 3-6 6-7(1)
ATP Madrid:
- R1: Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3 3-6 7-5
- R2: Hubert Hurkacz 1-6 5-7
ATP Rome:
- R1: Borna Coric 7-5 6-1
- R2: Daniil Medvedev 5-7 4-6
ATP Geneva:
- R1: Tomas Machac 6-7(6) 1-6
Roland Garros:
- R1: Jesper De Jong 5-7 4-6 7-6(3) 6-3 3-6
Dan Evans
Dan Evans leaves the clay court season having not won a match on clay on the ATP tour as his struggle for form continues. The Brit will hope the grass court season will bring some much needed joy as he will look to build on a valiant performance against Holger Rune and elevate his performances as he aims to avoid a severe rankings drop.
2024 Clay Court Season Results:
ATP Marrakech:
- R1: Roberto Carballes Baena 4-6 6-7(3)
ATP Monte-Carlo:
- R1: Sebastian Ofner 1-6 4-6
ATP Barcelona:
- R1: Brandon Nakashima 6-7(5) 2-6
ATP Rome:
- R1: Fabio Fognini 4-6 6-3 2-6
Bordeaux Challenger:
- R1: Hugo Grenier 6-4 6-4
- R2: Harold Mayot 6-3 7-6(3)
- QF: Juncheng Shang 6-7(4) 4-6
Roland Garros:
- R1: Holger Rune 4-6 4-6 4-6
Andy Murray
A short clay court season for Andy Murray who probably played his final ever Roland Garros. Now Murray aims to prepare himself for a full grass court season as he potentially plays Wimbledon for the final time and will look to finish on a high note by producing a deep Grand Slam run.
2024 Clay Court Season Results:
Bordeaux Challenger:
- R1: Kyrian Jacquet 7-5 2-0 RET
- R2: Gregoire Barrere 4-6 2-6
ATP Geneva:
- R1: Yannick Hanfmann 5-7 2-6
Roland Garros:
- R1: Stan Wawrinka 4-6 4-6 2-6
Jan Choinski
Jan Choinski gained good experience at ATP level especially in Estoril where he gained a win in the main draw. However another early exit in qualifying at Roland Garros on his most comfortable surface gives the Brit a lot to ponder heading into the rest of the season as he looks to build on his positive campaign at Wimbledon last year.
2024 Clay Court Season Results:
Murcia Challenger:
- R1: Pablo Llamas Ruiz 6-7(3) 6-7(6)
Girona Challenger:
- R1: Jesper De Jong 3-6 3-6
ATP Estoril:
- QR1: Francisco Rocha 7-5 6-1
- QR2: Duarte Vale 6-3 6-4
- R1: Joao Fonseca 6-2 6-7(5) 6-4
- R2: Hubert Hurkacz 6-7(5) 4-6
ATP Munich:
- QR1: Henri Haupt 6-1 6-1
- QR2: Marc-Andrea Huesler 6-7(7) 7-6(4) 3-6
Mathausen Challenger:
- R1: Benjamin Hassan 6-2 2-0 RET
- R2: Lucas Pouille 6-7(3) 3-6
Oeiras 4 Challenger:
- R1: Zachary Svajda 6-3 6-0
- R2: Tristan Boyer 6-4 7-5
- QF: Elais Ymer 2-6 6-1 4-6
Roland Garros:
- QR1: Denis Kudla 4-6 4-6
Oliver Crawford
Oliver Crawford gained some good wins at Challenger level, earning a few quarter-final results. However Crawford failed to perform in the pressure moments as he now prepares for his first grass court season as a British representative.
2024 Clay Court Season Results:
Merida Challenger:
- R1: Jacob Brumm 6-7(0) 6-2 3-6
San Luis Potosi Challenger:
- R1: Dominik Palan 6-4 6-3
- R2: Nicolas Mejia 3-6 0-6
Mexico City Challenger:
- R1: Ernesto Escobedo 7-6(5) 6-4
- R2: Murkel Dellien 6-2 6-4
- QF: Thiago Agustin Tirante 4-6 4-6
Sarasota Challenger:
- R1: Zizou Bergs 2-6 2-6
Tallahassee Challenger:
- R1: Dmitry Popko 6-0 7-6(2)
- R2: Hady Habib 6-3 6-4
- QF: Stefan Kozlov 2-6 2-6
Savannah Challenger:
- R1: Ethan Quinn 2-6 4-6
Francavilla Al Mare Challenger:
- R1: Maks Kasnikowski 1-6 5-7
Tunis Challenger:
- R1: Aziz Ouakaa 6-2 6-3
- R2: Genaro Alberto Olivieri 6-3 5-7 3-6
Roland Garros:
- QR1: Li Tu 7-6(4) 4-6 2-6
Billy Harris
Billy Harris produced some encouraging performances including reaching the final round of qualifying at Roland Garros where he almost qualified for the second Grand Slam of the season. Now Harris will continue improving as he aims for a statement grass court season as he is well positioned for a main draw wildcard at Wimbledon.
2024 Clay Court Season Results:
Girona Challenger:
- R1: Benjamin Hassan 3-6 3-6
Barcelona Challenger:
- R1: Tristan McCormick 6-1 6-1
- R2: Gabriel Debru 6-0 RET
- QF: Bernabe Zapata Miralles 5-7 6-7(2)
Split Challenger:
- R1: Filip Misolic 5-7 3-6
Oeiras 3 Challenger:
- R1: Terence Atmane 6-2 3-6 4-6
Rome Challenger:
- R1: Adrian Andreev 3-6 6-3 6-4
- R2: Jozef Kovalik 6-3 6-4
- QF: Hugo Dellien 6-2 3-6 4-6
Francavilla Al Mare Challenger:
- R1: Andrea Guerrieri 6-4 3-6 3-6
Tunis Challenger:
- R1: Tristan Lamasine 5-7 2-6
Roland Garros:
- QR1: Emilio Nava 6-3 4-6 6-1
- QR2: Manuel Guinard 6-3 3-6 7-6(10-4)
- QR3: Valentin Vacherot 6-7(2) 5-7
Ryan Peniston
Ryan Peniston returned from injury at Roland Garros where he produced an encouraging performance against J.J. Wolf. Now Peniston will look to return to form on a surface that he has had great success on in the past.
2024 Clay Court Season Results:
Roland Garros:
- QR1: J.J. Wolf 1-6 7-6(5) 2-6
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Women’s Singles
Katie Boulter [26]
There were encouraging performances and results for Boulter on a surface that is very new to her. More experience and practice and Boulter may have beaten Paula Badosa as she is one of the very few Brits that leaves the clay court season with her head held high. Now the Brit looks to build on those performances with another strong grass court season as she prepares for her Nottingham title defence.
2024 Clay Court Season Results:
WTA Madrid:
- R1: Robin Montgomery 6-1 3-6 4-6
WTA Rome:
- R1: Rebecca Sramkova 4-6 6-7(8)
Paris Challenger:
- R1: Harriet Dart 6-0 6-4
- R2: Viktoriya Tomova 6-2 6-4
- QF: Varvara Gracheva 3-6 6-7(6)
Roland Garros:
- R1: Paula Badosa 6-4 5-7 4-6
Harriet Dart
The main positive for Harriet Dart was qualifying for the WTA 1000 in Madrid which will give her confidence for the rest of the season. However the Brit failed to capitalize on the momentum and is in desperate need of wins in the grass court season despite a valiant effort against Linda Noskova at Roland Garros.
2024 Clay Court Season Results:
La Bisbal D’Emporda Challenger:
- R1: Elsa Jacquemot 6-1 4-6 4-6
Oeiras Challenger:
- R1: Maria Garcia 6-2 6-4
- R2: Matilde Jorge 3-6 1-6
WTA Madrid:
- QR1: Aliaksandra Sasnovich 0-6 6-3 7-6(1)
- QR2: Maria Timofeeva 4-6 6-3 7-5
- R1: Cristina Bucsa 4-6 4-6
WTA Rome:
- QR1: Rebecca Sramkova 2-6 3-6
Paris Challenger:
- R1: Katie Boulter 0-6 4-6
WTA Rabat:
- R1: Sara Sorribes Tormo 2-6 0-6
Roland Garros:
- R1: Linda Noskova 6-7(3) 4-6
Emma Raducanu
A short clay court season for Emma Raducanu as the former US Open champion produced a good win over Angelique Kerber and tested world number one Iga Swiatek in Stuttgart. However that wasn’t enough to convince Raducanu in playing Roland Garros as she withdrew to focus on preparations for the grass court season. Will that risk pay off or will the lack of matches catch up to her at Wimbledon?
2024 Clay Court Season Results:
WTA Stuttgart:
- R1: Angelique Kerber 6-2 6-1
- R2: Linda Noskova 6-0 7-5
- QF: Iga Swiatek 6-7(2) 3-6
WTA Madrid:
- R1: Maria Carle 2-6 2-6
Yuriko Lily Miyazaki
A clay court season to forget for Lily Miyazaki as the Brit will now aim to prove why she deserves a main draw wildcard at Wimbledon over the next few weeks and continue to improve her ranking.
2024 Clay Court Season Results:
WTA Rome:
- QR1: Linda Fruhvirtova 1-6 6-7(2)
Paris Challenger:
- R1: Erika Andreeva 5-7 3-6
Roland Garros:
- QR1: Sijia Wei 1-6 1-6
Heather Watson
Heather Watson couldn’t build any momentum heading into the grass court season as the 32 year-old will hope to produce more magic on a surface that has lead to so many great memories in the past.
2024 Clay Court Season Results:
WTA Charleston:
- QR1: Alana Smith 6-0 6-4
- QR2: Daria Saville 3-6 2-6
WTA Rome:
- QR1: Bernarda Pera 6-7(0) 3-6
Paris Challenger:
- R1: Elsa Jacquemot 7-6(7) 3-6 3-6
Roland Garros:
- QR1: Antonia Ruzic 3-6 7-5 1-6
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