Jose-Luis Clerc has been dominant on clay, posting 310–90 across 400 matches (77.5% — exceptional). Few players in the Open Era have sustained that level of dominance across a full career on clay. With 21 titles, among the most prolific clay court champions in the Open Era: Buenos Aires, Santiago, South Orange, Indianapolis and 11 more.

At Grand Slam level (Roland Garros): a positive 17–9 (65.4%) across 26 matches — a player who generally rises to the occasion at the Slams on clay.

31 finals reached on clay — won 21, lost 10 (solid 68% conversion) — consistently getting to finals and winning the majority is a hallmark of elite performers on clay. 54 semifinals. 64 quarterfinals.

vs. Top 10 on clay: 19–29 (39.6%, 48 matches). Top 10 opponents have represented a clear ceiling on clay; addressing that deficit is the single biggest lever for improving the overall record here.

By format on clay — best-of-five: 38–17 (69.1%); best-of-three: 272–73 (78.8%). Markedly stronger in three-set formats; the win rate drops noticeably in five-setters, which has direct implications for Grand Slam performance on clay.

Dominant season: 1981 — 47–5 (90.4%) from 52 matches. A campaign of 47 wins on clay in a single season is among the best single-season records the surface has seen — the clearest benchmark of what is achievable at peak level.

Historic: 30 consecutive wins on clay — one of the longest winning streaks on this surface in the Open Era. To sustain that level across so many matches demands physical and mental consistency that very few players in history have matched.