When you think of clay courts, many tennis fans might not immediately link that surface with South African player Lloyd Harris.
Traditionally, clay hasn’t been his strongest suit.
But this year, Harris is proving he’s not one to be underestimated.
At the 2025 French Open, he battled through the grueling qualifying rounds to earn his spot in the men’s singles main draw at Roland Garros.
Despite sitting at 227th in the world rankings, Harris showed grit and determination on the red dirt, winning three tough matches to punch his ticket to one of tennis’s biggest stages.
It’s a comeback story many have been rooting for after a tough few years plagued by injury and setbacks.
Grinding Through the Qualifiers With Powerful Play
Harris’s journey to the French Open main draw wasn’t easy.
He first took down Finland’s Otto Virtanen in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, demonstrating strong baseline play and mental toughness.
Next up was Swiss player Marc-Andrea Hüsler, where Harris maintained his momentum with a confident 6-4, 6-2 win.
The biggest test came in the final qualifying round against Croatian veteran Marin Cilic.
It was a hard-fought battle with Harris eventually winning 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
His powerful serve and aggressive baseline game helped him overcome the pressure and nerves that come with such a high-stakes match.
Back on the Grand Slam Stage With Renewed Confidence
For Harris, qualifying for the French Open is more than just another tournament entry; it marks a vital step back toward reclaiming his spot among tennis’s top players.
Once ranked as high as 31st globally, he’s determined to climb back up the rankings ladder.
In a post-match interview, Harris shared, “It feels amazing to be back in the main draw at a Grand Slam.
Clay has always been a challenge for me, but I’ve really worked hard this season and I’m feeling good out there.”
Ready for a Tough Opener Against Andrey Rublev
Lloyd Harris will face a significant challenge in Round One of the French Open, going up against Russia’s Andrey Rublev, who is seeded 17th.
The two players have met twice before in ATP Tour events, with Rublev winning both encounters convincingly.
Their first meeting was in the 2020 Adelaide final on hard courts, where Rublev dominated 6-3, 6-0.
They clashed again at Wimbledon in 2021 on grass, with Rublev taking the win 6-1, 6-2, 7-5.
Harris has yet to win a set against the Russian, so this match will be a real test of his progress and resilience.
Looking Ahead With Hope for a Deep Run
Harris’s best results at the French Open so far have been reaching the second round in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
But after his tough journey through qualifiers and renewed confidence, many fans are hopeful this could be the year he goes further.
The 2025 French Open main draw officially kicks off on Sunday, May 26.
Tennis fans will be watching closely to see if Harris can continue his impressive comeback story on the clay courts of Paris.