The men’s draw at Roland-Garros 2024 is more open than ever. Injured during this season on clay, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the second and third in the world, are not at the top of their game, while Novak Djokovic seems, for the first time, on the downward slope. Daniil Medvedev, the fourth thief, still does not like clay, while Rafael Nadal has not found his best level. Overview of the candidates for victory.
Novak Djokovic, experience works in his favor
Novak Djokovic is not dashing. Forfeited in Miami, then in Madrid, the Serbian only participated in the Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo, losing in the semi-final against Casper Ruud. His tournament in Rome is even less reassuring. Hit by a water bottle that accidentally fell from a backpack after his first match, the world No. 1 completely missed his point against Alejandro Tabilo in the third round (6-2, 6-3). But his experience and his success at Porte d’Auteuil could allow him to shine.
Carlos Alcaraz, the best armed on clay
In theory, Carlos Alcaraz is the player best suited to clay. But only in theory. Regularly injured since the start of his career, the Spaniard was again hit in the right forearm at the start of the season on ocher, and was forced to skip the Monte-Carlo and Rome tournaments. . In Madrid, he was not very reassuring, with an elimination in the quarter-finals against Andrey Rublev. He therefore arrives in Paris in a blur.
Jannik Sinner, if his hip leaves him alone
The observation is the same for Jannik Sinner. Discomforted in his right hip, the Italian had to withdraw before his quarter-final in Madrid, before withdrawing from the table in the Italian capital. However, he has been riding an insolent form since the start of the season, with a first Grand Slam title in Australia and titles in Rotterdam and Miami. In 30 matches, he has won 28, proof that he has reached a milestone since the winter. But his hip problems seem serious, and they are always difficult injuries to treat.
For Rafael Nadal, it will be complicated
Despite his 14 titles at Porte d’Auteuil, Rafael Nadal does not seem able to win again. Injured at the start of the season, even before the Australian Open, the Spaniard returned to Barcelona quietly, without however shining. Too tight physically, he gave in to Alex de Minaur in Catalonia then against Jiri Lehecka (Madrid) and Hubert Hurkacz (Rome). Worrying results, especially since he will have to hold out for seven matches in five sets in Paris. Especially since he will meet Alexander Zverev, very recent winner of Rome, in the first round.
Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Rublev or Ruud?
In these unprecedented circumstances, without a blatant favorite, who will be able to do well in the game? A few names stand out, notably those of the various winners of the preparation tournaments for Roland-Garros. In Monte-Carlo, it was Stefanos Tsitsipas who won, ending a long slump and eight months without a trophy, while Casper Ruud won the Barcelona tournament against the Greek. The double finalist at Porte d’Auteuil, however, missed his subject in Madrid and Rome, and is not in the form of his life either.
The observation is the same for Daniil Medvedev, who has never shone on clay and who does not seem to have turned a corner this season. He did no better than a quarter-final during the three Masters 1000s on ocher. Andrey Rublev won one, that of Madrid, but suffered astonishing defeats against Alexey Popyrin, Brandon Nakashima and Alexandre Muller and proved his inconsistency. In Rome, it was Alexander Zverev who took advantage of a very open draw to win the tournament against Nicolas Jarry.
