French Open Clay makes for new surprises each year

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Why is the French Open more likely to produce first-time and one-time Grand Slam champions than the Australian Open, Wimbledon or the U.S. Open? Why are there so many surprising results at Roland Garros? What distinguishes its red clay from the surfaces used at the three other major tennis tournaments?

THE CLAY

The French Open is the only Grand Slam tournament held on clay courts — which actually aren't made of clay, but rather the dust from red brick on top of a layer of crushed white limestone.

Wimbledon, which begins this year on June 27, is famously contested on grass. The U.S. Open, which starts on Aug. 29, and Australian Open, held in January, each uses a different type of hard court.

The softness and speed-absorbing grab of clay courts slow down shots more than the other surfaces do, dulling speedy serves and groundstrokes. The clay’s grittiness magnifies the effect of heavy spin (think of 13-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal’s uppercut lefty forehands), creating higher arcs as the balls rebound off the ground.

NADAL IS PLAYING THROUGH INJURY IN THIS YEARS TOURNAMENT

"Clay is a completely different surface from hard courts and grass," said Tamara Zidansek, who reached the semifinals in Paris a year ago while ranked 85th. "It’s such a specific surface."

Rafael Nadal also known as "The King of Clay" (Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

STYLE OF PLAY

Because booming serves and quick-strike forehands relied on by so many players are not as effective on clay as hard or grass courts, there is an increased reward for strategy, for switching speeds and spins, for drop shots.

"On clay, you have to hit a lot of balls to win