Top Clay court players are younger during their "primes"

[JennyS]

Of the players that have won multiple French Opens, starting with Wilander, only Lendl continued winning French Opens (and other majors) after the age of 24.....

Here are the ages that multiple French Open Champions won their Slam titles since Wilander won his in 1982.....

Mats Wilander:
Won French Open at ages 17, 20, 23
Won Australian Open at 19, 20, 23
Won US Open at 24

Ivan Lendl:
Won French Open at 24, 26, 27
Won the US Open at 25. 26 and 27
Won the Australian Open at 28 and 29

Jim Courier
Won French Opens at 20 and 21
Won Australian Opens at 21 and 22

Sergi Bruguera
Won French Opens at 22-23

Gustavo Kuerten
Won French Opens at 20, 23 and 24

Rafael Nadal
Has won his French Opens from ages 19-22
Won Wimbledon at age 22
Won the Australian Open at age 22

 

[Ambivalent]

Well, clay does require the most fitness out of all the surfaces, and fitness peak is around 20 years old.

 

[dh003i]

Big deal. Players that have won only one include Agassi and Federer at 29 and 28, respectively.

That said, the players that win many FO's tend to grind themselves down.

 

[The-Champ]

So is Rafa gonna go the Lendl way or Bruguera way?

 

[akv89]

Of the players that have won multiple French Opens, starting with Wilander, only Lendl continued winning French Opens (and other majors) after the age of 24.....

Here are the ages that multiple French Open Champions won their Slam titles since Wilander won his in 1982.....

Mats Wilander:
Won French Open at ages 17, 20, 23
Won Australian Open at 19, 20, 23
Won US Open at 24

Ivan Lendl:
Won French Open at 24, 26, 27
Won the US Open at 25. 26 and 27
Won the Australian Open at 28 and 29

Jim Courier
Won French Opens at 20 and 21
Won Australian Opens at 21 and 22

Sergi Bruguera
Won French Opens at 22-23

Gustavo Kuerten
Won French Opens at 20, 23 and 24

Rafael Nadal
Has won his French Opens from ages 19-22
Won Wimbledon at age 22
Won the Australian Open at age 22

It's interesting that the only guy who didn't burn out early among those above was Lendl, who can't really be classified as a clay court specialist because of his results on hard and carpet and specifically for his ability to finish points quickly when needed to.
Even Borg was mentally spent once he reached 26.