Carlos Costa holds a solid clay court record of 196–131 across 327 matches (59.9%). A winning majority across 327 matches shows consistent ability to get results on clay. 6 titles on clay: Buenos Aires, Estoril, San Marino, Hilversum, Barcelona — a record that reflects consistent ability to close out tournaments on this surface.

At Grand Slam level (Roland Garros): Carlos Costa is 12–9 (57.1%) across 21 Grand Slam matches — below .500, though the elite draw depth at the Slams makes that a notoriously difficult barrier to crack.

ATP Masters 1000 on clay (Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome): a positive 28–20 (58.3%) across 48 matches — winning above .500 at this level, week in week out, is a genuine sign of quality on clay.

14 finals reached on clay — won 6, lost 8 (43% conversion) — capable of reaching finals consistently, with room to improve at the decisive moment. 21 semifinals. 41 quarterfinals.

vs. Top 10 on clay: 7–16 (30.4%, 23 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: 16–14 (53.3%); best-of-three: 180–117 (60.6%). Slightly stronger in three-set contests on clay, though the five-set record is still respectable.

Dominant season: 1992 — 34–10 (77.3%) from 44 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.