The Baseline Top 8: Clay-Court Wipeouts

Even the best tennis players on the planet can't withstand the force of gravity, especially on clay. Here's a roundup of some of the best dirt collisions.

1

Not even the King of Clay is immune to dirt mishaps but he brushes himself off and keeps adding on the titles unperturbed.

2

This is not the only time the German has eaten it and left the court sobbing. Just because the clay is green does not mean it’s any safer.

3

She once described herself as a “cow on ice” on clay, and despite winning two French Open titles she did still squeeze in an occasional face plant.

4

A major disagreement with the clay did much to hold her back in 2014.

5

Dirt can even reduce a grown man to tears and break bones—the Frenchman walked away from Monte Carlo in 2012 with a fractured elbow.

6

You’d think two hands on both sides would help with balance.

7

He’s too perfect and graceful to take very hard of a tumble, but even the greatest succumb to the elements.

8

One of the best court runners in the world ran one step too far and paid for it.