French Open is one of the most loved and toughest Grand Slams in Tennis. Clay Court isn’t everyone’s cup of team considering the quickness of feet and the unpredictability of bounce.
The surface also takes a test of talents that Tennis players possess. The endurance needed to play on the clay court tests the player’s will and resolve to win the title. Surprisingly some players have taken to the clay court like a duck has taken to water.
Here, we cast a look at the top ten players with the most French Open wins:
10- Ivan Lendl – (Czech Republic/ USA) – 3 Times
Former Tennis legend, Ivan Lendl has won the French Open three times. The 1984 Title win was also the first Grand Slam title for Ivan Lendl. John McEnroe was beaten in a five-set thriller. The next two title wins came in 1986 and 1987 as Ivan Lendl became of one of the few players to successfully defend their French Open titles.
9- Mats Wilander – (Sweden) – 3 Times
Considered one of the most attractive and stylish players of his time, Mats Wilander is a legend in the French Open history. Mats Wilander won his first French Open title in 1982 beating Guillermo Villas in the finals. This was followed by wins against Ivan Lendl in 1985 and Henri Lacoste in 1988 to win his three French Open titles.
8- Rene Lacoste – (France) – 3 Times
Before the professional era of Tennis came into existence, the amateur era saw Tennis write its own history. Rene Lacoste of France won the French Open thrice in 1925, 1927, and 1929. This makes the former French legend as one of the players with the most French Open wins.
7- Maurice Germot (France) – 3 Times
Before Rene Lacoste could make his presence felt it was Maurice Germot who led the French Tennis charge. Germot is one of the few players with the most French Open title wins. His first Title came in 1905, before adding another a year later. Maurice Germot had to wait nearly 4 years to win his third and final French Open title in 1910.
6- Paul Ayme (France) – 4 Time
Even in the early days of Tennis, it soon became known that the French Open is different. Paul Ayme is one of the players with the most wins in the French Open with 4 titles. From 1897 to 1900 no one came close to matching Paul Ayme as he dominated the scene and won the title 4 times.
Also Read: Top 10 players with most wins in US Open
5- Andre Vacherot (France) – 4 Times
In the late 1890 Andre Vacherot was the only player who could match Paul Ayme for his skills. His four title wins came in 1894, 1895, and 1896 as Paul Ayme began his domination for four successive years. Andre Vacherot claimed his 4th title in 1901 to become the player with the most wins in the French Open.
4- Henri Cochet (France) – 5 Times
(SThe list of dominance by French players in the amateur era continues with Henri Cochet. The former legendary player has the most French Open title wins with 5 championships. His first title win came in 1922 followed by his second in 1926 and then proceeded to add three more titles.
3- Bjorn Borg (Sweden) – 6 Times
Considered a certified legend of the sport, Bjorn Borg left the fans in a tizzy with his Tennis skills. The legendary Swedish star won the French a whopping six times to make him the player with the most French Open wins. Bjorn Borg won the titles in successive years in 1974 and 1975 before winning the title four years in a row from 1978 to 1981.
2- Max Decugis (France) – 8 times
After Paul Ayme and Andre Vacherot, the next big French legend was Max Decugis. With 8 title wins the former star is one of the players with the most French Open wins. His first two title triumphs came in 1903 and 1904. The next six title wins came in a spell of three years each from 1907 to 1909 and then 1912 to 1914.
1. Rafael Nadal (Spain) – 14 Times
It is safe to say that Rafael Nadal is the Numero Uno as far as the French Open is concerned. With 14 Title reigns, Nadal is the player with the most French Open wins. His first four titles came between 2005-2008 and going on to add another five titles from 2010-2014. The period from 2017-2018 saw Nadal win the titles three more times and then twice more in 2020 and 2022. It is safe to say there is no better player in clay court than Rafael Nadal.
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