Question marks ahead of the European clay

Novak Djokovic

Change again for the former world No.1. Andre Agassi and Radek Stepanek have departed the Serbian’s coaching team, with Marian Vajda, who was at the helm for his finest achievements, back in the fold temporally.

Djokovic’s clay court campaign begins in Monte Carlo, the city he calls home, following a disastrous duo of first round exits at Indian Wells and Miami.

The 30-year-old has lifted the title twice in Monte Carlo (2013, 2015), but regardless of any silverware at the Country Club, Djokovic needs matches, competition and morale-boosting victories sharp.

He appeared very despondent following a nightmare ‘Sunshine swing’, but can his old coach re-ignite his game? 

“I wanted to share something simple I always try to remember. No matter how good you are at something, there is always more to learn, more to improve, more to explore…’ tweeted Djokovic last week. “So keep your head in the game. I know I gotta keep mine. Monaco bound! #idemo#letsgo”

It seems Djokovic is mentally primed to burst back into form. His emphatic 60 61 victory over Dusan Lajovic shows early signs are promising on the clay.

Novak Djokovic - Andy Murray, final 2016: highlights

Serena Williams

“I have a lot of work to do.” 

The ever ambitious and determined 23-time Grand Slam champion kept it simple after her defeat by Naomi Osaka at the Miami Open.

The American shot back to prominence with a couple of victories at Indian Wells and has had a decent spell on the practice courts gearing up for the clay.

Her movement was the key issue in Miami and Williams will have been putting in the hard yards to gain that extra zip for clay, because her cannonball strokes are slightly less effective on the red dirt. 

The three-time Roland Garros-champion (2002, 2013, 2015) will be eager to prove to the Tour that she is ready to compete for the major honours again.

With a steady clay court campaign, Serena can craft her game, build her match-play fitness back up, and the rest of the field will be dreading drawing the 36-year-old icon

Serena Williams - Lucie Safarova, final 2015: highlights

Stan Wawrinka

Judging by social media, 2015 Roland-Garros champion Stan Wawrinka has been locked in a gym.

The three-time Grand Slam champion has been put through a gruelling rehab to distinguish a knee complaint that forced him to retire from a match in Marseille back in February.

The 2017 French Open finalist, who has been practising at Monte Carlo this week, but won’t return to competitive combat until Madrid in May, will be desperate to erase a turbulent start to 2018 back on the red dirt.

The beauty of watching the Swiss is his unpredictability. Should Wawrinka fire on all cylinders and land his explosive shot-making, the 33-year-old can be a true contender for any title.

However, before he launches a Paris title tilt, Wawrinka must pick up matches as soon as possible to gauge his game amongst the very best sliding from corner to corner.

Stan Wawrinka - Novak Djokovic, final 2015: highlights

Maria Sharapova

Rather like Djokovic, a coaching change is hoped to spark new life into the Russian. 

Sharapova played one match in February, losing to Monica Niculescu at the Qatar Open. The 30-year-old only fought won match in March too, falling to the impressive Osaka at Indian Wells.

That defeat prompted the departure of four-year coach Sven Groeneveld. 

So what next for Maria?

The 2012 and 2014 Roland-Garros champion continues to be hampered by a succession of injuries, most recently a left forearm pain removed her from the Miami field.

It’s been a year since her comeback to the WTA and Sharapova still lingers outside the Grand Slam seedings ranked at world No.42. 

It’s very difficult to call, but until her ailments are swept aside, the Russian’s game can be vulnerable. To perform, Sharapova must be 100 percent fit.

Social media posts of practising will offer Sharapova’s fans hope that the two-time winner in Paris is preparing for another captivating clay campaign. 

Maria Sharapova - Simona Halep, final 2014: highlights

Dominic Thiem

The Austrian won a staggering 22 matches on clay courts in 2017 and was the only competitor to inflict defeat on the ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal on his favoured surface at the Rome Masters.

Seven of Thiem’s nine career titles have been secured on the clay, including a recent triumph over in Buenos Aires. 

“For me it’s a very important part of the season and I have a lot of pressure, a lot of points to defend,” Thiem told the ATP. “But I’m pretty relaxed.”

The clay is suited to the gloriously graceful Thiem artillery. It enables his to wind up his looping groundstrokes and build points with his astonishing athleticism. 

A relaxed and rejuvenated Thiem must be a dark horse to rule at Roland-Garros.

Victoria Azarenka

It remains uncertain what sort of clay calendar Victoria Azarenka will play, but what is assured is that the Belarussian is raring to go. 

The two-time Australian Open champion seamlessly roared back into contention with a semi-final run in Miami, a feat matched at Roland-Garros back in 2013.

The former word No.1 proved her potential to soar back into Grand Slam contention, ousting Top 20 talent Anastasija Sevastova, Madison Keys and Karolina Pliskova on the American east coast.

On clay, Azarenka will fire freely, display her exceptional work ethic and can pose a danger to any player with her shot-making.

Karolina Pliskova

Even the Czech was pleasantly surprised by a semi-final run at Roland-Garros last summer.

Simply put, her movement has adapted to the clay, her precision backs up the raw power for free points. On any surface, Pliskova can put together a title chasing combination. 

Three consecutive quarter-finals are boosted by another final eight showing back in January at the Australian Open.

That means the towering world No.6 hasn’t quite clicked into top gear yet, which should be a warning to her peers on the clay.

How to slide on clay, by the Roland-Garros champions

Grigor Dimitrov

The Bulgarian, who resides in Monte-Carlo, has lost four of his past five matches for an alarmingly slump in form. 

However, that has meant a three-week training block at home at the Country Club. Can familiar surroundings re-launch his 2018?

“I grew up on clay. I spent my early years in Spain, so I feel I can play good on clay,” an optimistic Dimitrov told reporters in Monte Carlo. “It's a new year. One year older, more experienced, more mature in any way possible to try to learn something from last year and you keep on growing and you keep on working.”