The rookie revolution

For some players, Roland Garros is already a prize, even if it is to participate in the preliminary phase. Few make it to the final frame, and wear is high. But the experience and, above all, the joy, are for life. There are several names that stand out in this edition of the Parisian Grand Slam. Tennis players who by ranking are obliged to play the previous phases and who, some of them, have not even released their record of victories in the final tables of the professional circuit. Among them, Sebastian Korda, son of Petr Korda, champion of the Australian Open in 1998, and rival today of Rafael Nadal. Also the German Daniel Altmaier, rival of Pablo Carreño, and the Italian Jannik Sinner, who is measured with Alexander Zverev. All three make their debut in the final draw at Roland Garros with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Sebastian Korda The 20-year-old 213-year-old American continues to battle in challenger tournaments and had never won the final score in an ATP tournament. Before this Roland Garros, he had only enjoyed the opportunity to give the ATP 250 in New York in 2018 after being crowned at the Junior Australian Open, and in this 2020, the Masters 1,000 in Cincinnati and the US Open thanks to an invitation. Already in Paris, where his father was a finalist in 1992, he has beaten Andreas Seppi, John Isner and Pedro Martínez Portero before meeting his idol Nadal today, after whom he baptized his cat ‘Rafa’. All that comes is adding unrepeatable learning and experiences. Sebastian Korda – EFE Jannik Sinner The Italian was before his country’s ski slalom champion in 2008 as a tennis player. But at 19, he has already shown that he is not bad at the racket either. He is the youngest of the men’s team in Paris and in his first foray into the French Grand Slam, and after passing the previous phase, he gave a good account of David Goffin, Benjamin Bonzi and Federico Coria in the final draw. Without missing any set along the way. Today he is measured, in a level test, with Alexander Zverev. It is number 75 in the world. Daniel Altmaier The 22-year-old German has already reaped more financial loot in these first three wins than he had in his entire previous career. Before Paris he had only two victories on the ATP circuit; He already has three in the final draw of a Grand Slam, the first of his life. And beating rivals of the stature of Feliciano López, Jan-Leonnard Struff and Matteo Berrettini. It is 186th in the world. And a fan of Real Madrid. Daniel Altmaier – AFP Hugo Gaston Not forgetting the 20-year-old and 239-world player from Toulouse, a local idol who eliminated the 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka. He has arrived in Paris with an invitation from his federation and is the last French hope. He holds the record for being the lowest ranked player to reach the Roland Garros round of 16 since Arnaud di Pasquale (283) in 2002. Of course, he has met Dominic Thiem in the fight for the quarterfinals. Hugo Gaston – AFP.