''In the last two-and-a-half years, I've actually played some of my best tennis on clay,'' Hewitt said.

''I keep saying we don't grow up on it in Australia, so it's hard for any of us to come out and play well against the Spaniards and the South American guys straight up.

''But I've been able to learn and adapt to the best way for me to play. I think I can knock good players off on clay.

''I feel comfortable playing at Roland Garros.''

The former Australian world No1 lost a five-setter last year to Spain's David Ferrer despite entering the tournament without having played a single match on clay for the season.

With Roger Federer's former coach and 1966 French Open winner Tony Roche in his corner, Hewitt is ready for a ninth French Open, where he was a quarter-finalist in 2001 and 2004.

Meanwhile, fellow former world No1 and dual Grand Slam title winner Marat Safin is preparing for his 11th and final French Open.

''I've been already too many years,'' the 29-year-old, who will retire at the end of the 2009 season, said.

''I want to change and do something else. I'm ready for that. It's been a nice trip. It's enough.''

He said he didn't want a fuss made over his retirement.

''I don't like this bye-bye part. It's just a sad story. It's not for me. I prefer to leave quietly,'' the world No22 said.

But he has made his mark at Roland Garros.

On his 1998 debut, he beat Andre Agassi and Gustavo Kuerten in the first two rounds, while a run to the 2002 semi-finals remains his best performance.

Safin's future could involve mountaineering. In 2007, he joined a group of climbers making an ascent on Cho Oyu in the Himalayas, the sixth-highest mountain in the world. AFP