Top Five Active ATP Players with the Most Clay Court Final Appearances

From 2005 to 2022, the clay court season was largely ruled by Rafael Nadal, whose dominance earned him the title "King of Clay." He retired from professional tennis during last year’s Davis Cup final, marking the end of an era. Throughout his prime, only a handful of players—most notably Novak Djokovic—were able to challenge him on this surface. Others began to rise as Nadal’s injuries gradually impacted his performance.

This list, however, focuses exclusively on active players. With Nadal now retired, we turn our attention to those still competing. 

Here are the top five active players with the most final appearances at ATP clay-court events.

5. Stan Wawrinka: 14 Finals

Stan Wawrinka, one of the few players to win multiple Grand Slam titles during the dominance of the ‘Big Three’ era, remains a respected presence on the ATP Tour despite not capturing a title since 2017. The Swiss star has continued to compete across various tournaments, showcasing his enduring passion and resilience.

Wawrinka’s most recent appearance in a tour-level final came at the 2023 Umag Open, though he ultimately fell short of the title. Over his career, he has featured in 14 clay-court finals, including his unforgettable triumph at the 2015 French Open. His record on clay finals is evenly split, with seven wins and seven losses.

4. Alexander Zverev: 14 Finals

Alexander Zverev has reached 14 clay-court finals, winning nine of them — a testament to his dominance on the surface. The German star has proven formidable not only on clay but also on hard courts, with consistently strong performances on grass as well. 

Last year's Roland Garros runner-up, Alexander Zverev, has yet to capture a Grand Slam title. However, with his powerful groundstrokes and consistent performance, he remains one of the top contenders at every tournament he enters.

3. Carlos Alcaraz: 15 Finals

Once a prodigy and now a star, Carlos Alcaraz has risen to superstardom in the world of tennis. The Spaniard has already claimed ten clay-court titles, solidifying his dominance on the surface.

Carlos Alcaraz has reached several finals on the ATP Tour but has fallen short in six of them—five of those losses coming on clay. In contrast, his rival Jannik Sinner has contested only two finals on the red dirt. The two recently clashed in the final of the Italian Open, adding another chapter to their growing rivalry. As the French Open approaches, Alcaraz will be under pressure as he returns to Roland Garros to defend his title.

2. Casper Ruud: 18 Finals

Casper Ruud has claimed 18 titles in his professional tennis career, with an impressive 12 of them coming on clay courts — a surface where he clearly thrives. The Norwegian star has also reached back-to-back French Open finals in 2022 and 2023 but fell short both times, losing to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, respectively.

Now 26, Ruud recently captured his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the Madrid Open, signaling strong form heading into the 2025 Roland Garros. While he's proven to be a serious threat on clay, his performances on other surfaces have been less impressive. He’s struggled at Wimbledon, never advancing beyond the second round, and his best result at the Australian Open is a fourth-round finish.

With his clay-court dominance and recent momentum, Ruud will be one to watch closely at this year’s French Open.

1. Novak Djokovic: 34 Finals

Novak Djokovic, the most successful active player, has competed in 34 clay court finals. His first came at the 2006 Dutch Open, where he claimed his maiden professional title.

After nearly two decades on the professional circuit, Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has claimed 20 titles on clay courts, all while competing in the era dominated by Rafael Nadal—the undisputed King of Clay. Djokovic has triumphed at the French Open three times and recently secured his long-awaited Olympic gold medal by defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 Paris Olympics final. Despite his successes, the Serbian powerhouse has also faced tough challenges, falling short in 14 clay-court finals.

Cover Credits - ESPN India