Pennetta Reveals Her Ranking of the Best Clay-Court Players: "I Speak in the Past Because Today, There Are No More Specialists"

For the first time since 2002, the clay-court season will take place without Rafael Nadal, who retired last November. While the Manacor native dominated clay courts for many years, many are now searching for a successor to the Spanish legend.

In the meantime, Flavia Pennetta, former world No. 1, shared her memories with the media outlet *Sky Tennis Club*. The 2015 US Open champion listed the best players she has seen compete on this surface:

"Rafael Nadal, Guillermo Vilas, and Bjorn Borg are, for me, the kings of clay. These are the three I would place on a pedestal. Then, behind them, there was a crowd of truly incredible tennis players.

I speak in the past because today, there are no more clay-court specialists. Thomas Muster, Gustavo Kuerten, and many others. I made a list with Sergi Bruguera, Juan Carlos Ferrero, David Ferrer, and Carlos Moyà. There were countless players, each stronger than the next."