Stubbs predicts Sinner will dominate clay and win the French Open, Johnson says Gauff can seize power on clay.

In just a few days, the main draw of the Monte Carlo Masters will begin, while on the women's side, top players will gradually head to Stuttgart for next week's Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Facing the new competitive landscape of this year's clay season, Serena Williams' former coach Stubbs and former American tennis star Johnson have both shared their personal views.

In the latest tennis analysis podcast, when discussing the competitive situation in men's tennis for this clay season, Stubbs expressed extreme optimism about Sinner and gave him very high praise.

"Without a doubt, based on current form, he is poised to continue his strong performance from recent times. If you ask me who is the favorite to win the French Open this year, it is undoubtedly Sinner."

Stubbs particularly emphasized a detail often overlooked in Sinner's recent tactical adjustments—shot depth. "The depth of his shots from the baseline is something we don't talk enough about. In tennis, we rarely discuss shot depth." She explained that if a player can consistently land shots within 30 to 60 centimeters from the baseline, unless the opponent possesses equal precision, the returns are likely to become shorter and weaker. "If you watch Sinner's matches and key points over recent weeks, you'll see this is exactly where he excels." Additionally, Stubbs praised Sinner's movement and improved serve, believing that combining these weapons makes him the top favorite for the French Open title.

However, not everyone agrees with Stubbs' view. Eurosport analyst and former British player Smith stated: "Undoubtedly, Sinner's hard-court prowess is unquestionable, but clay requires specific physical attributes and completely different tactical intelligence. Is he truly ready?"

Some netizens also concurred: "Besides needing tactical adjustments, clay is famously a breeding ground for surprises. Variable weather, different humidity and altitude across tournaments—dominating on clay is not that simple! And there's another point—Alcaraz. He won't stay silent forever. Returning to his favorite clay courts, he will surely awaken and aim for the highest goals. Can Sinner escape the shadow of losing match points and being overturned at last year's French Open? That likely still requires a big question mark."

Meanwhile, former ATP player Johnson turned his attention to the women's tennis scene. In an interview, he stated that although based on performances in the first months of the new season, Sabalenka and Rybakina currently have strong momentum, when the clay season arrives, one player—Gauff—has the ability to compete head-to-head with them.

"If there is any player on the tour who can match them, it is Gauff." Johnson believes Gauff's most valuable trait is her "formidable competitor" mentality. "Even when her shot-making isn't top-tier on a given day, she can still demonstrate the strength of a world No. 3." He specifically noted that the clay season is a surface where Gauff has previously shone brightly. "With the clay season approaching, she is likely to reach new heights."

Regarding Johnson's viewpoint, a well-known tennis blogger analyzed on social media: "Gauff's competitiveness on clay is undeniable. Last year, she swept past the clay dominator Swiatek and defeated Sabalenka to win Roland Garros. But the key issue is her serve consistency. If she can maintain her first-serve percentage, her defensive coverage and topspin backhand on clay are like a wall."

The comments from these two legends undoubtedly add more intrigue to the upcoming clay season. Whether Sinner and Gauff perform as Stubbs and Johnson predict will begin to show in the coming weeks—let's wait and see!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)