Manuel Orantes has been dominant on clay, posting 571–171 across 742 matches (77.0% — exceptional). Few players in the Open Era have sustained that level of dominance across a full career on clay. With 31 titles, among the most prolific clay court champions in the Open Era: Barcelona-1, Barcelona WCT, Rome-1, Brussels and 19 more.

At Grand Slam level (Roland Garros): Manuel Orantes has been outstanding — 46–13 (78.0%) across 59 matches. Winning more than 7 in 10 Grand Slam matches on clay is the benchmark of an all-time great on this surface.

61 finals reached on clay — won 31, lost 30 (solid 51% conversion) — consistently getting to finals and winning the majority is a hallmark of elite performers on clay. 89 semifinals. 115 quarterfinals.

vs. Top 10 on clay: 26–38 (40.6%, 64 matches). Competitive against the elite, but still narrowly below .500 — closing that gap would directly elevate the overall clay court profile.

By format on clay — best-of-five: 140–59 (70.4%); best-of-three: 431–112 (79.4%). 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: 1972 — 34–4 (89.5%) from 38 matches. A campaign of 34 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.