Tennis

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, enters Roland Garros with a modest outlook despite his underwhelming season. With a record of 14-6 and no titles to his name, Djokovic acknowledges that his expectations are low. However, he emphasizes that anything less than a title is unsatisfactory for him.Djokovic's recent performances have been uncharacteristic, with semifinal losses in Geneva, Rome, and Monte Carlo. He has also taken time off to address off-court matters. Despite these setbacks, Djokovic remains confident in his abilities, particularly in Grand Slams."I know what I'm capable of, and particularly in the Grand Slams, I normally play the best tennis," Djokovic said. "That's the goal."Djokovic's rivals, such as Casper Ruud, believe he is still the favorite at Roland Garros. Ruud said, "He is the No. 1 seed, and he has 24 Slams under his belt, so if there's anyone who knows when to find their peak and form, it's probably him."Djokovic's approach to Roland Garros is focused on building form and momentum daily. He acknowledges that his recent struggles have affected him but remains optimistic about his chances."I'm trying to build the form and momentum, so that I can have a better chance to reach further in the tournament," Djokovic said.Despite his low expectations, Djokovic's high hopes stem from his belief in his abilities and his track record of success in Grand Slams.

Despite his recent struggles, Novak Djokovic's participation in the ATP 250 in Geneva raised eyebrows. However, veterans Andy Murray and Richard Gasquet have demonstrated the value of playing lower-level tournaments in preparation for Grand Slams.Murray, a former world No. 1, has played ten tournaments this season, six of which were at the ATP 250 level or lower. Gasquet, a former world No. 7, has played 15 tournaments, including five on the ATP Challenger Tour.Gasquet believes that playing Challengers is essential for staying competitive at the highest level. "Sometimes you need to play Challengers to be ready to play these kind of matches," he said.Both Murray and Gasquet have faced challenges in recent years, including injuries and age. However, their passion for the game remains strong. "We love the game, that's why we're still playing," said Gasquet.Murray and Gasquet will both start their Roland Garros campaigns on Sunday. Murray will face Stan Wawrinka, while Gasquet will take on Borna Coric. Wawrinka, who has also played Challengers this year, echoed Gasquet's sentiments about the importance of passion. "Passion of the sport, love of the game. As simple as that," he said.Murray and Gasquet have a long history of facing each other at Grand Slams, with Murray holding a 5-0 record. However, Gasquet remains determined to break through. "I try my best to win against him in Grand Slams, I couldn't do it," he said. "Sometimes it's a little bit tough to think about it."Despite their head-to-head disparity, Murray and Gasquet share a similar mindset. "We will see when we'll stop," said Gasquet, "but of course we are trying our best to compete high."

The French Open, one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, is set to commence on Sunday, May 26, 2024. The tournament will be held at Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France, and will conclude on June 8.Novak Djokovic, the defending champion and current world number one, will be the man to beat. The Serbian is aiming to break the record for the most Grand Slam titles won by a male player, currently held by Rafael Nadal with 22. However, Djokovic has had a mixed start to the season, with a 14-6 win-loss record and no final appearances yet.Rafael Nadal, the "King of Clay," will also be making his return to Roland Garros after missing last year's tournament due to a hip injury. Nadal has won the French Open a record 14 times and will be looking to extend his dominance on the clay courts.Iga Swiatek, the reigning women's champion, will begin her title defense against French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean. Swiatek has been in impressive form this season, winning the Qatar Open and the Indian Wells Masters.India's Sumit Nagal will make his French Open debut this year. Nagal, who reached the second round of the US Open in 2019, will be hoping to make a mark on the Grand Slam stage.The French Open will be broadcast live in India on the Sony Sports Network. Fans can also watch live streaming of the tournament on SonyLiv.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, is set to begin his quest for a fourth Roland Garros title and 25th Grand Slam victory on Tuesday, May 27. The Serbian superstar will face French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the first round.Djokovic's 2024 season has been a mixed bag. After winning the Australian Open, he crashed out of Indian Wells and Rome early. He also suffered a bizarre incident in Rome when a fan struck him in the head with a water bottle.Despite these setbacks, Djokovic remains a formidable opponent. He is the defending champion at Roland Garros and has won the tournament three times before. He is also the all-time leader in Grand Slam titles with 24.Djokovic's main rivals in Paris will be Rafael Nadal, Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev. Nadal is a 14-time Roland Garros winner, while Ruud is a three-time Grand Slam finalist. Zverev and Medvedev are both former world No. 1s.Djokovic is in the top half of the draw, which means he could face Ruud in the quarterfinals. The Norwegian defeated Djokovic on clay in Monte Carlo earlier this year.Despite his recent struggles, Djokovic is still the favorite to win Roland Garros. He is the most experienced player in the draw and has a proven track record of success at the tournament.

Novak Djokovic's quest to defend his French Open title has hit a roadblock after he suffered a disappointing loss in the Geneva Open semifinals. The 44th-ranked Tomas Machac stunned the world's top-ranked player 6-4, 0-6, 6-1, leaving Djokovic with doubts about his form heading into Roland Garros.Djokovic's record in 2024 has been far from impressive, with a 14-6 overall record and a 0-3 mark in semifinals, including a defeat to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open. The Serb admitted that he is not the favorite for the French Open, where he has won two of the past three titles and three overall among his record 24 Grand Slam singles titles."I don't consider myself a favorite there," Djokovic said. "I'm going to take it match by match and see how far I can go."Machac, a 22-year-old Czech, played with confidence and aggression, breaking Djokovic's serve five times and forcing him into 27 unforced errors. Djokovic took a medical timeout after the first set for a stomach issue, but it did not seem to affect his performance significantly."It was a terrible feeling with my stomach and health today," Djokovic said. "It was not a great night and today as well. I don't want to take anything away from his win, he deserved it."Machac will face two-time Geneva champion Casper Ruud or unseeded Flavio Cobolli in the final. Ruud, the French Open runner-up for the past two years, is considered a strong contender for the title this year.Djokovic's loss in Geneva raises questions about his form and fitness ahead of the French Open. The Serb has not won a tournament since Wimbledon last year and has struggled to find his best tennis in 2024. He will need to improve his consistency and reduce his unforced errors if he wants to challenge for the title in Paris.

The 2023 Roland Garros tournament promises to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory, with a wide-open field in both the men's and women's draws.Men's Draw:Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, is the top seed and the favorite to win his fourth Roland Garros title. However, he has not been in top form this season and faces a tough draw. He could potentially face Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals and Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals.Nadal, a 14-time Roland Garros champion, is seeded sixth and is making his return from a rib injury. He is always a threat on clay, but his fitness is a concern.Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spanish sensation, is seeded second and is considered one of the favorites to win his first Grand Slam title. He has been in excellent form this season, winning the Madrid Open and the Barcelona Open.Other contenders in the men's draw include Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Casper Ruud. Zverev is a former world No. 1 and has won two Masters 1000 titles this season. Tsitsipas is a rising star who has reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and the French Open in the past two years. Ruud is a clay-court specialist who has won the Geneva Open and the Lyon Open this season.Women's Draw:Iga Swiatek, the world No. 1, is the overwhelming favorite to win her fourth Roland Garros title. She has been in dominant form this season, winning five WTA titles, including the Madrid Open and the Italian Open.Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 2, is Swiatek's main rival. She has won two WTA titles this season, including the Stuttgart Open and the Rome Open.Other contenders in the women's draw include Ons Jabeur, Maria Sakkari, and Coco Gauff. Jabeur is a rising star who has reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the French Open in the past two years. Sakkari is a former world No. 3 who has reached the semifinals of the French Open twice. Gauff is a 17-year-old American who has reached the quarterfinals of the French Open in the past two years.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, two tennis titans with a combined 46 Grand Slam titles, face an unprecedented challenge as they enter the French Open with doubts surrounding their form and fitness.Nadal, the 14-time Roland Garros champion, has endured a difficult season marred by injuries. His early exits in Barcelona and Madrid, followed by a humbling defeat in Rome, have raised questions about his ability to maintain his dominance on clay. The Spaniard's physical condition and current level of play suggest that he may struggle to challenge the top contenders.Djokovic, the world No. 1, has also experienced a dip in form. After a disappointing Australian Open semi-final loss, he suffered shock defeats to lower-ranked opponents in Indian Wells and Rome. The Serb has parted ways with his coach and fitness trainer in a desperate attempt to rediscover his winning ways.Both Nadal and Djokovic face tough opening-round matches. Nadal will take on Italian Open champion Alexander Zverev, while Djokovic will face Karen Khachanov. These encounters will be crucial tests for the aging giants, who are far from the favorites they once were.Nadal's participation in the French Open is particularly uncertain. The 37-year-old has hinted that this could be his last appearance at Roland Garros, where he has lost just three matches in his illustrious career. If he fails to find his best form, his record-breaking reign on clay could come to an end.Djokovic's 24 Grand Slam titles are a testament to his greatness, but his recent struggles have raised concerns about his ability to maintain his dominance. The Serb is desperate for a spark to reignite his form and prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with.The French Open will be a pivotal moment for both Nadal and Djokovic. It will determine whether they can overcome their current challenges and reclaim their status as the top contenders in tennis.

For nearly two decades, Rafael Nadal's dominance at Roland Garros was unquestionable. However, with Nadal's recent struggles, the question arises: who is the favorite for the 2024 French Open?Zverev's Daunting PathAlexander Zverev, one of the favorites, faces a formidable draw. He will encounter Nadal in the first round, a rematch of their intense 2022 semifinal. Zverev's potential path also includes Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner.Djokovic's FavoritismDespite recent setbacks, Novak Djokovic remains the top seed and defending champion. His path through the early rounds appears manageable, but he could face Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, who defeated him in Monte Carlo earlier this year.Alcaraz and Sinner's UncertaintiesCarlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, once considered the future of tennis, have faced setbacks on clay. Alcaraz's draw is slightly tougher, with potential clashes against Sebastian Korda, Andrey Rublev, or Stefanos Tsitsipas. Sinner may face Nicolas Jarry and Hubert Hurkacz in the later rounds.Dark Horses to WatchSeveral players have shown strong form on clay this season, including Tsitsipas, Ruud, Rublev, and Taylor Fritz. Ruud, a two-time Roland Garros finalist, could potentially face Djokovic in the quarterfinals. Tsitsipas and Rublev are scheduled to meet in the fourth round, opening up a potential path to the final for one of them.Predicted OutcomeDespite the challenges, Alexander Zverev is predicted to win the 2024 Roland Garros. He will face a tough draw, but his determination and experience on clay could prove decisive. Carlos Alcaraz is expected to reach the final, but Zverev's momentum and resilience are likely to prevail.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, continued his impressive form on Thursday by reaching the semifinals of the Gonet Geneva Open. Djokovic defeated sixth-seeded Tallon Griekspoor 7-5, 6-1 in one hour and 17 minutes, extending his winning streak to 11 matches.The victory marked Djokovic's 1101st career win, making him only the second player in the Open Era to reach this milestone. The Serbian legend is now just 19 wins away from equaling Roger Federer's record of 1121 career victories.Djokovic's victory was not without its challenges. Griekspoor, who had to play two matches on Thursday, gave Djokovic a tough test in the first set. The Dutchman saved four set points before Djokovic finally broke his serve in the ninth game.From there, Djokovic took control of the match, winning seven consecutive games to take a commanding lead. Griekspoor managed to break Djokovic's serve in the second set, but the Serbian responded by winning the final eight points of the match.Djokovic will now face 23-year-old Czech Tomas Machac in the semifinals. Machac advanced to the semifinals after defeating American Alex Michelsen 6-3, 7-6 (2). Djokovic has a 1-0 head-to-head record against Machac, but their previous meeting went to a third-set tiebreaker.Djokovic is looking to build momentum ahead of the French Open, which begins on May 22. The Serbian has won the French Open twice, in 2016 and 2021, and is aiming to become the first man to win all four Grand Slams twice in the Open Era.