A Preview of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship

The U.S Men’s Clay Court Championship at River Oaks Country Club is here for the week, and it’s time to serve up fun for this tennis tournament! From their rich history spanning 100 years to their exciting current field in the present day, we’ll give you all the details on the court for what to look forward to for this year’s biggest tennis event!

History of the Men’s Clay Court 

Since 1931, the tradition of holding the sporting event has transcended time. Born out of the The Great Depression, the event still draws in crowds almost a century later. Jack Norton, a member and player of the event, contributed member recruitment that has aided in shaping the event into what it is now. As professional tennis reached the grasp of the River Oaks location in the 1970s and 1980s, it found itself becoming a part of the World Championship of Tennis and the ATP Tour. Now, River Oaks continues to hold the Men’s Clay Cup and continues to flourish with loyal fans to observe players each year. 

From the Men’s Clay Court website.

Notable players from 1940 to the present day include Bryan “Bitsy” Grant, Wilmer Allison, Bobby Riggs, Tony Trabert, Mervyn Rose, Luis Ayala, Barry MacKay, Bernard “Tut” Bartzen, Rod Laver, Cliff Richey, Roy Emerson, John Newcomb, Zeljko Franulovic, Rafael Osuna, Nancy Richey, Margaret Court,  Ken Rosewall, Harold Soloman, Ilie Nastase, Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl, Jose Luis-Clerc, Boris Becker, Jimmy Arias, Nocholas Periera, Pete Sampras, Bryan Shelton, John McEnroe, Luke and Murphy Jensen, Bob and Mike Bryan, and even more that have competed repeatedly in the Men’s Clay Court.

Current Field

From the Men’s Clay Court Field Announcement, 9 countries are represented, with 7 Americans leading. A handful of players have already held ATP titles, and two have already been Men’s Clay Champions. 

On the Men’s Clay Court Player Field Announcement.

Wild cards have been awarded by former Clay Court champions to three players: Steve Johnson, Jack Sock, and Fernando Verdasco. 

More information can be found in this Men’s Clay Court article.

Tickets to The Men’s Clay Court Championship

TIckets can be bought on this page of the Men’s Clay Court website. Below is a list of the schedule ahead for the championship:

Tournament Dates

April 1
Qualifying First Round (11 AM)
Qualifying Second Round (11 AM)

April 3
First Round (2 PM)

April 4
Day Session – First Round (12 PM)
Evening Session – First Round (6 PM)

April 6
Day Session – Second Round (12 PM)
Evening Session – Second Round (6 PM)

April 7
Day Session – Singles QF, Doubles SF (12 PM)
Evening Session – Singles QF, Doubles SF (6 PM)

April 8
Singles Semifinals, Doubles Final (1 PM)

April 9
Singles Final (2 PM)

What To Look Forward To

Men’s Clay Court will be hosting Special Events alongside the Clay Court Championship:

April 1: US Clay Team Challenge Red  & Green Ball Registration
April 2: US Clay Team Challenge Orange & Yellow Ball Registration

Juniors Night: Aspiring tennis players are VIP Guests for this event in the opening night session for the Clay Court Championship.

Other than special events, you’ll want to watch for tradition, fun, sports, and to witness an exciting event for the ages!

Our Pick To Win 

Our pick for the 2023 Men’s Clay Court Championship is Frances Tiafoe. Join us for the championship this week to see if we’ll be seeing our pick come out on top!

Eva Rogers

A Texan through and through, her passion for the Lone Star State is evident in every word she writes.Hailing from the vast plains of West Texas, Eva has a deep appreciation for the unique blend of tradition and innovation that defines the Texan spirit. Eva crafts articles that celebrate the diverse tapestry of Texas, from its bustling urban centers to its serene rural landscapes.