World’s best tennis players battle it out at Roland Garros
The second Grand Slam of the season will see the world’s best players compete in Paris, with 22-time major champion Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff among those in action.
It will be the 123rd edition of the French Open and the second Grand Slam event of 2024.
WHEN: May 20-June 9
WHERE: The Stade Roland-Garros
NADAL FINAL SEASON
Nadal is a 14-time champion at Roland Garros but the Spaniard has been troubled by injuries since the start of 2023 and missed the French Open last year after undergoing hip surgery.
This is likely to be his final appearance in Paris having already indicated that 2024 is likely to be his final season before retirement.
CAN SWIATEK MAKE IT FOUR IN A ROW?
Defending women champion Iga Swiatek will take her clay form to Paris after completing a career sweep of all the European clay court events at WTA 500 level and above.
She was just the second woman, after Maria Sharapova, to achieve this feat.
MEDVEDEV DECIPHERING THE CLAY CODE
Daniil Medvedev says he feels he has found a “small edge” at Grand Slams as he looked ahead to the clay-court swing that will culminate at the French Open
Medvedev, who will be looking to better a single quarterfinal appearance to his name in Paris, also reflected on his Australian Open final loss to Sinner.
BATTLE FOR TOP SPOT
The second Grand Slam of the season sees the chance for Jannik Sinner to become the first Italian man to top the ATP world rankings.
However, both Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are battling injury issues ahead of the tournament.
For Djokovic to stay as world No 1 after the French Open he will need to at least reach the final.
If he loses before the final then Sinner will become world No 1, even if he does not play.
WILD CARDS
Emma Raducanu is among a number of Grand Slam champions absent from the wild card list.
The Briton has reportedly pulled out of a WTA 500 event in Strasbourg that she was scheduled to compete in, which may be to ensure she is free to play in qualifying for Roland-Garros.
Dominic Thiem and Simona Halep are also absent from the wild card list.
Richard Gasquet and Ajla Tomljanovic are among those who do feature on the wild card list.
