Djokovic vs. (Best Clay Player Not To Win A French Open?)

[BGod]

I think when it comes to the French Open there are two distinct players who never won it but were very good on clay.

Novak Djokovic
3 Finals appearance, losses to Nadal twice and Wawrinka
4 Additional Semifinal appearances, losses to Nadal and Federer
7 Masters Titles

Robin Soderling
Only player to beat Nadal in his prime at the French Open.
Ended Federer's Slam Semifinal streak following season.
2 Finals appearances, plus additional quarterfinal loss to Nadal.
Contracted mononucleosis with severe impairment at peak form.


HM: David Ferrer
4 losses in quarters or later to Nadal at French Open.
No Masters Titles but numerous losses to Nadal & Federer at the 3 clay tournaments.

HM: John McEnroe
Had 4 year window where he lost to the eventual winner 3 times, but overall passive on clay.

 

[RF-18]

Djokovic for sure. His four Rome titles (a major back in the day, still is probably the most prestigous masters event) and 3 RG finals speaks volumes how good of a clay courter he is. He is better than many players that has a RG title.

 

[BGod]

I voted for Soderling. I know it's popular to think a player who was struck down in their prime would have won had they continued but I really think Soderling just had the better edge.

He beat Nadal in his prime and then ended Federer's Semifinal streak the following seasons. He started having health issues to begin 2011 but didn't know how bad they were. Had his best Masters performances and then dropped down so bad he has effectively retired since then.

I look at his game and think to myself, he could have won 2-4 titles. A bit of a late bloomer but he got struck down in his 27th year, so he did have a few seasons in his physical prime yet.

Djokovic meanwhile, despite his consistency strikes me as a rich man's David Ferrer. He had the capacity to win at the Masters but when it came to the French he was losing to a past his prime Federer and now this year to Wawrinka. I don't think he'd do better than prime Soderling.