The 7 men with the highest ATP win percentage on clay: Rafael Nadal No 1, Novak Djokovic with 80.3%

Ewan West 19 Apr 2025 2:55 PM

Pictured: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Bjorn Borg

(L-R) Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Bjorn Borg in action on clay

Rafael Nadal is known as the ‘King of Clay’, and unsurprisingly, the Mallorcan legend has the highest ATP win percentage on the surface he dominated in unique fashion.

Four male players have a win rate of over 80% in ATP Tour clay-court matches, with just two surpassing the 85% mark.

Here, we look at the seven ATP players who have the highest win percentages on clay in the Open Era (with a minimum of 100 matches won).

7. Ken Rosewall – 78.8%

Ken Rosewall posted a 134-36 (78.8%) record from the 170 clay-court matches he contested in the Open Era.

The Australian secured 14 of his 39 ATP-listed singles titles on clay, including a French Open title.

6. Ilie Nastase – 78.9%

Ilie Nastase accumulated a 422-113 (78.9%) record from the 535 matches he played on clay, making it his best surface for win percentage.

The Romanian won 31 of his 64 singles titles on clay courts, including one French Open crown.

5. Guillermo Vilas – 79.7%

Guillermo Vilas finished his career with a 681-173 (79.7%) record from his 854 clay-court matches, which is his best win rate on any surface.

The Argentine claimed 48 of his 62 titles on clay, including two majors: the French Open, and the US Open (which was played on green clay at the time).

4. Novak Djokovic – 80.3%

Novak Djokovic holds a win percentage of 80.3% on clay, having built a 286-70 record from the 356 matches he has played on the surface in his career to date. This makes clay his third most successful surface after grass and hard-court.

The Serb has won 20 of his 99 ATP singles titles on clay courts, a tally that features three Roland Garros crowns, 11 of his 40 Masters 1000 titles and an Olympic gold medal.

ATP Tour News

The 10 greatest male clay-court players of the Open Era – ranked!

Carlos Alcaraz told the ‘key’ to continuing his blistering clay form by Jimmy Connors

3. Ivan Lendl – 81%

Ivan Lendl compiled a 329-77 (81%) record from the 406 matches he contested on clay courts, which makes it his third best surface after hard-court and carpet.

The Czech-American collected 28 of his 94 singles titles at clay-court tournaments, including three French Open titles.

2. Bjorn Borg – 86.1%

Bjorn Borg amassed a 285-46 (86.1%) record from the 331 matches he played on clay, making it his most successful court surface.

The Swede secured 32 of his 66 career titles on clay courts, including six Roland Garros crowns.

1. Rafael Nadal – 90.5%

Rafael Nadal finished his career with an incredible 90.5% win rate on clay courts, having accumulated a 985-183 record from the 1,168 matches he played on his best surface.

The Spaniard won 63 of his 92 career singles titles on clay, including 14 French Opens, 26 of his 36 Masters 1000 titles, and an Olympic gold medal.