Nadal's Grasp On the Clay Court Crown

Rafa - 2011 French Open
Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Springtime is clay court season in men's tennis with four key clay court tournaments and a host of smaller events taking place throughout the months of April and May.

After March visits to big prize contests in Indian Wells and Miami, top ATP players cross the Atlantic to compete at Masters 1000 level tournaments in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome, before heading on to the French Open at Roland Garros, the event that marks the pinnacle of the clay court season.

Europe is the domain of the clay court season, and for the last seven years, Rafael Nadal has been its undisputed king.

Tally championships since 2005 at the four main clay court events, and you will find that Nadal has taken home the trophy 20 of 28 times. Reduce your scope to just the last three years, and things looks much the same with Nadal owning 8 of 12 titles. Not surprisingly, the handful of trophies Nadal hasn't hoisted at red clay masters-level and major events since 2009 belong to Novak Djokovic (2) and Roger Federer (2).

It's only when you narrow your view to look through the lens of the last twelve months that you see Nadal's prowess on clay begin to be challenged.

Cincy Tennis - Day 1

Here are a few quick pics from our first night of tennis fandom in Cincinnati. The thing we love most about this tournament is that it manages to feature EVERY major played in the sport, but still maintains a feeling of intimacy. You get to see your favorite players up close and personal while they are practicing, being interviewed by the media, and of course playing matches. Lots more to come...

Part of the city skyline (taken on the drive in from the airport).

Before we even entered the tennis complex, we walked past Rafael Nadal  who was  being golf carted away from one of the practice courts. 

This one is for Alyssa. Former player and commentator Justin Gimelstob was prepping at the Tennis Channel outdoor broadcast desk. I approached him and pointed my iPhone at him and said..."Justin - help me make our friend Alyssa jealous." He spun around in his chair and turned on the charm (and a pretty damn winning smile) instantaneously.