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.

Roland Garros Draw Delivers Blockbuster First-Round Matchup: Nadal vs. ZverevThe Roland Garros draw has set the stage for a tantalizing first-round clash between Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev, two of the biggest names in tennis. Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, will face the reigning Rome Masters winner Zverev in a rematch of their thrilling semifinal at the same tournament two years ago.The draw, which was held in Paris on Thursday, placed Nadal in the second quarter of the bracket, alongside Novak Djokovic. Djokovic, the world No. 1, will open his tournament against Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert and could face another fan favorite, Gael Monfils, in the third round.Nadal's path to the final could also include a potential quarterfinal matchup with Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 3 seed who has been in impressive form this season. Alcaraz will open his tournament against a qualifier or lucky loser.Other notable first-round matchups include a clash between three-time Grand Slam champions Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray, and a meeting between world No. 2 Jannik Sinner and Chris Eubanks.The draw has generated plenty of excitement among tennis fans, who are eager to see Nadal and Zverev renew their rivalry on the clay courts of Roland Garros. The match is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 29.

The 2024 clay-court season has been a rollercoaster of surprises, setting the stage for an intriguing Roland Garros tournament. Former champion Martina Navratilova shares her insights on the upcoming Grand Slam, analyzing the contenders and their chances of lifting the trophy.Men's Field: Djokovic's Experience vs. UncertaintiesRafael Nadal's dominance at Roland Garros has been unparalleled, but the 37-year-old's recent form has raised questions about his ability to extend his record-breaking 14 titles. Top seeds Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz all face uncertainties heading into Paris, with Djokovic recovering from a head injury and Sinner and Alcaraz battling physical issues."The unknowns are pretty large right now," Navratilova said. "If injuries come into play, then Novak is an even bigger favorite to win."Djokovic remains the betting favorite due to his experience and recent wild card acceptance into the Geneva Open. Navratilova believes that Djokovic's lack of tournament success in 2024 could motivate him to make the most of the chaotic field and capture his fourth Roland Garros title.Swiatek's Dominance: Evert-Like InvincibilityIga Swiatek enters Roland Garros as the defending champion and the highest-ranked player since Serena Williams in 2015. Her back-to-back victories in Madrid and Rome have solidified her position as the favorite.Navratilova compares Swiatek's dominance to that of Chris Evert, who won seven Roland Garros titles. "It's really impossible to find an opening against Iga on clay," Navratilova said. "Right now she looks pretty unbeatable."While Swiatek admires Nadal, Navratilova believes she has a long way to go to match his 14 titles. However, she acknowledges that Swiatek's early success and exceptional clay-court game could lead her to catch up to Evert's record.Evert's Legacy: Deserving of RecognitionThis year marks the 50th anniversary of Chris Evert's first Grand Slam title, which she won at Roland Garros. Navratilova believes that the French Tennis Federation should honor Evert's legacy with a statue, similar to the one erected for Nadal."If Rafa has a statue there, then Chris should have a statue, also," Navratilova said. "She's the OG queen of clay."Collins: A Sneaky ContenderDanielle Collins has emerged as a force in women's tennis, winning her first WTA 1000 title in Miami. Navratilova believes that Collins could be a surprise semifinalist or finalist at Roland Garros."She would be my pick for a sneaky semifinal or final," Navratilova said. "I know I wouldn't want her in my draw."Olympic Summer: Physical and Mental ChallengesRoland Garros marks the beginning of a grueling summer season that includes Wimbledon, the Olympics, and the US Open. Navratilova predicts that the physical and mental challenges of this stretch will test the players' limits."You basically have four majors in two or three months," Navratilova said. "The game is more physical [than when I was on tour] and the Olympics don't make it easier that's for sure."Navratilova is concerned about the potential for injuries and hopes that the players can maintain their health throughout the summer.

Andy Murray, the former world number one, will make a significant return to Roland Garros this year, competing in both singles and doubles for the first time since his main-draw debut in 2006. The tournament organizers announced on Wednesday that Murray and his compatriot Dan Evans had been awarded wild cards for the doubles event.Evans and Murray are the only non-French players among the 14 doubles teams to receive wild cards, with seven teams selected on each side. According to James Gay of The i, the British duo is the first entirely non-French men's doubles team to receive a Roland Garros main-draw wild card since Nicolas Kiefer and Marat Safin in 2001.The wild card request from Evans and Murray stems from their aspirations to compete at the Summer Olympics, which will be held at Roland Garros in August. Their combined ranking of 144 was insufficient to qualify them directly for the Olympics.Murray, who has won three Grand Slam singles titles, is seeking his fifth Olympic berth for Great Britain. He has previously stated that he would only participate in the Olympics if he believed he had a chance of winning a medal.Murray's return to Roland Garros comes after an ankle injury forced him to withdraw from the Miami Open in March. He made his comeback this week in Geneva, but lost in the first round to German Yannick Hanfmann.Murray, who reached the Roland Garros final in 2016, is contesting the clay-court major for only the second time since 2017. This could potentially be his final appearance in Paris, as he has hinted at retirement after this summer.

Casper Ruud, the former world No. 2, overcame a slow start to defeat Sebastian Ofner 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 at the Gonet Geneva Open on Wednesday. The victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with No. 5 seed Sebastian Baez.Ruud, who has been a contender for his first major title at this year's Roland Garros, had lost his last two matches after a strong start to the clay-court swing. However, he showed his resilience against Ofner, who had won his first set against a Top 10 player in 22 attempts.The Norwegian settled down after losing the first set and took control of the match, breaking Ofner three times in the second and third sets to secure the victory in just under two hours.Ruud's victory is a boost to his confidence ahead of Roland Garros, where he is considered a contender for the title. He will face Baez in the quarterfinals, a player he has a 2-0 head-to-head advantage against.Ofner, despite his defeat, showed his fighting spirit and ability to compete against top players. He will look to build on this performance in the upcoming tournaments.The Gonet Geneva Open is a key warm-up event for Roland Garros, and Ruud's victory is a reminder of his status as a contender for the French Open title.

Touched by a Champion: Sabalenka's Roland Garros Hopes Soar After Nadal's BlessingAryna Sabalenka's quest for her maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros has received an unexpected boost after a brief encounter with Rafael Nadal on the practice courts. A viral clip on social media captured the moment Nadal tapped Sabalenka on the shoulder as they passed each other, sparking speculation that the 14-time Roland Garros champion had bestowed a blessing upon her.Sabalenka herself acknowledged the clip with a humorous response, adding to the growing belief that she is destined to triumph in Paris. The world No. 2 has reason to be optimistic heading into the clay-court major, where she is seeded No. 2. Last year, she came agonizingly close to reaching the final, only to be denied by Karolina Muchova in a dramatic semifinal.Despite the setback, Sabalenka has vowed to return stronger and is confident in her abilities. She has already claimed one major title this year and is eager to add to her tally. While she acknowledges the challenge posed by world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who defeated her in the finals of both Madrid and Rome, Sabalenka remains undeterred."I'm going there with the confidence that I can do well there," Sabalenka said. "Being No. 2 seeded, it's tough to call yourself 'underdog.' I'm definitely not the favorite probably there. But at the same time I do feel that I can actually go for it."Sabalenka's determination is evident in her willingness to embrace the underdog role. She believes that it will allow her to focus on her own game and play without pressure. With her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, she has the potential to upset the odds and claim her first Grand Slam title.As the tournament approaches, Sabalenka's encounter with Nadal has become a source of inspiration for her and her fans. Whether or not it proves to be a premonition remains to be seen, but it has certainly added an extra layer of intrigue to her Roland Garros campaign.

Rafael Nadal's impending retirement from the French Open has sparked an outpouring of emotion and anticipation among his legions of fans. On Tuesday, thousands of devotees flocked to Roland Garros, eager to witness the Spanish legend's practice session, potentially his last at the tournament he has dominated for years.Vanessa Peltier, a 50-year-old fan from central France, embarked on a 500-kilometer journey to catch a glimpse of Nadal. "I woke up at 6 a.m. and drove from the middle of France to be here," she said. "Nadal has always had my support, and the support of France."The line of fans stretched for 200 meters, with many waiting patiently for hours to enter the stadium. Morgan Chevallier, another ardent supporter, said, "I could not pass on this opportunity. He is almost bigger than the tournament itself."Nadal's recent injury struggles have raised questions about his fitness for the tournament. However, his fans remain hopeful, recognizing that this may be their last chance to see him in action at Roland Garros. "I skipped work for Nadal," said Sergiu Popa, 26.During his practice session, Nadal showcased his trademark intensity and skill, drawing cheers and chants of "Rafa, Rafa" from the crowd. Outside the court, fans posed for photos with a life-size cardboard cutout of the Spaniard and purchased merchandise bearing his signature."It's not cheap, but it will be a nice memory once Nadal leaves us," said Frédéric Caubert, who bought a hat with Nadal's signature for his son. "It's like he is part of our family. When he's gone, family dinners won't feel the same."The tournament begins on Sunday, and Nadal's fans are eagerly awaiting his performance. Whether he triumphs or not, his legacy at Roland Garros will forever be etched in the annals of tennis history.

Diego Schwartzman, the 2020 Roland Garros semifinalist, has joined Dominic Thiem in advancing to the next stage of qualifying at the French Open. Schwartzman, seeded 29th in the men's field, defeated Lukas Neumayer of Austria 6-2, 6-3 on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.Schwartzman, who is set to retire in February 2025, capitalized on five of his seven break points to secure the victory in 70 minutes. "Being honest, the first two games I was so nervous," Schwartzman said after the match. "I was not feeling my body—playing good, but it was tough to make good decisions with the game.""After that I started to play much better, trying to enjoy, trying to smile and enjoy the people no matter if I do well or not."Schwartzman will next face Quentin Halys, who defeated Alexis Galarneau 7-5, 6-3. Their section of the draw opened up on Monday when Ugo Blanchet stunned top seed Cristian Garin in three sets.In other qualifying action, eighth seed Zizou Bergs rolled over wild card Clement Chidekh 6-1, 6-1, while American J.J. Wolf, the No. 2 seed, held off Ryan Peniston 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2.In the women's qualifying draw, top seed Sara Errani launched her campaign by defeating Ann Li 6-3, 6-4. Errani, who has 23 main-draw wins at Roland Garros, will next face Alice Tubello.Former semifinalist Tamara Zidansek, seeded 25th, dismissed Polona Hercog 6-2, 6-4, while eighth seed Katie Volynets also cruised 6-1, 6-2 against Lucrezia Stefanini.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has declared Rafael Nadal as his favorite to win the upcoming French Open despite Nadal's recent fitness struggles. Djokovic, who is preparing for the second Grand Slam of the year at the Geneva Open, believes that Nadal's unparalleled record at Roland-Garros makes him the frontrunner."When you talk about Roland-Garros and Nadal is there, he is always the biggest favorite for me," Djokovic said. "After everything he has done on the courts at Roland-Garros, it's normal, respectfully to put him as the biggest favorite."Djokovic acknowledged that Nadal's level of play has declined slightly due to injuries, but he emphasized that the Spaniard's experience and dominance on clay make him a formidable opponent. "Obviously it's a little different with his level of play," Djokovic said. "But it's Roland-Garros, and it's Nadal."Djokovic also identified other contenders for the French Open title, including Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. However, he believes that Nadal's legacy and familiarity with the surface give him an edge."This year is more open," Djokovic said. "But when you talk about Roland-Garros and Nadal is there, he is always the biggest favorite for me."Djokovic, who turns 37 on Wednesday, is seeking to regain his form ahead of the French Open. He has not won a title in the season so far and is using the Geneva Open as a warm-up."I'm searching for my highest possible level," Djokovic said. "It's not an obligation. It's truly my desire, my feeling, my passion, my love for tennis. That's the most important. I'm seeking to stay connected with that feeling."Djokovic expressed his fondness for Geneva, where he has cousins and a close connection to the local football club, Servette. He attended the Stade de Geneve on Monday to witness Young Boys win the Swiss football championship.