FROM GRIT TO GLORY. THE HEAD TITANS WHO LEFT THEIR MARK IN THE CLAY

How our athletes dominated the French tournament with power, precision & passion.

As we prepare to say farewell to one of France’s own legends: Richard Gasquet, we reflect on his career and our team of HEAD athletes who have also carved out an enviable legacy on the clay in Paris.

Richard Gasquet, the man with arguably one of the most beautiful one-handed backhands in tennis history will end his career in Paris in front of his home fans. While a French Open trophy has eluded him, Gasquet has been a favourite of fans everywhere and a mainstay in the second week for years—bringing flair, finesse, and that signature French artistry to the Parisian courts. When he steps onto clay, there’s always magic in the air.

Look back on Richard Gasquet’s 22-year professional career in full.

Along with Gasquet, TEAM HEAD have a notable history of success in Paris, and as part of our ongoing 75th anniversary celebrations, we look back at the marks they have left on clay.

We start with a man who’s built an empire on the big stages; Novak Djokovic. The Serbian superstar has redefined greatness, and his French Open performances are the definition of legendary. With three titles in Paris (2016, 2021 and 2023), including a comeback victory over Nadal and Tsitsipas in 2021 that left jaws on the floor, Djokovic has shown he can outlast, outthink, and outplay anyone, even on clay. And yes, he did it all with a HEAD racquet in hand.

With these victories, he is the only male player in tennis history to have won each of the four Grand Slam tournaments at least three times, an achievement known as the “Triple Career Grand Slam.”

Barbora Krejcikova turned heads in 2021 when she pulled off a near-impossible feat: capturing both the singles and doubles titles in one magical week. Cool, calm, and clinical, she dismantled the competition with intelligent play and that ever-reliable HEAD racquet. It was a breakout for the ages.

Before Krejcikova, Ash Barty had already stunned on the clay with her own brand of brilliance. In 2019, the Aussie outshined the field clinching her first Grand Slam in Paris, slicing and dicing through the draw with unmatched poise.

Coco Gauff continues to redefine the expectations for young tennis professionals. At just 18 years old, she advanced to the 2022 final, demonstrating the composure of a seasoned athlete and the drive of a future champion. Her poise and athleticism were once again evident in 2024, when she overcame the disappointment of a singles semi-final loss to secure her first Grand Slam doubles title.

Let’s not forget Andre Agassi. The original rebel with a cause, Agassi conquered the Parisian clay in 1999 to complete his career Grand Slam. Down two sets in the final, he clawed his way back in true Agassi fashion—blazing forehands, unbreakable will, delivering the goods every step of the way.

While Andy Murray is more known for performances on the grass and hard courts, he’s had his fair share of clay-court fireworks too. In 2016, he reached the final in Paris, pushing Djokovic to four sets and proving he could rally, grind, and slide with the best of them.

And last but not least, Sascha Zverev. With a massive serve and backhand from another planet, Zverev has made deep clay runs a habit, racking up semi-final appearances and coming oh-so-close to lifting the trophy. The way he’s trending, it’s not a matter of if, but when.

From veterans to visionaries, HEAD athletes have turned Paris into their personal proving ground. They take the clay and mould it into something of their own.