Before the second major of the year, question marks not only hover over Rafael Nadal regarding his physical condition.
by Jens Huiber
last edited: May 2, 2024, 8:05 p.m
© Getty Images
Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud in Roland-Garros in 2023
There are still a few weeks until the start of the tournament at the Stade Roland-Garros, so battered bodies can still be trimmed to their best shape. But at the moment things aren’t looking so great for some of the co-favorites: namely Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
As is well known, Alcaraz skipped Monte Carlo and Barcelona and did not play in Madrid with the power that his approach fundamentally demands. The reason for this is said to have been less acute pain in the hitting arm, but rather the fear that something could happen again that would worsen the prospects of the first triumph at the Bois de Boulogne. Last year, Alcaraz reached the semi-finals – before he suffered a full-body cramp after the second set against Novak Djokovic.
The next shaky candidate is Jannik Sinner. Despite pain in his hip, Sinner pulled through against Karen Khachanov, but the South Tyrolean then withdrew from the quarter-finals against Félix Auger-Aliassime. The coming days will tell whether it is enough for a start in Rome – or whether it even makes sense.
So maybe Djokovic again?
Jakub Mensik is by no means a candidate for a major title, but the young Czech is also suffering from minor injuries. Which is unfortunate considering his potential, which Mensik once again underlined in the Casa Magic with the win against Grigor Dimitrov.
Everything has been said about Rafael Nadal, but here too the question arises about competing in Rome.
So will the second major of the year become a “Survival of the Fittest”? And who would that benefit? Casper Ruud comes to mind, who reached the final in Paris in the last two years. Ruud is fit and loves the sand. The latter cannot be said about Daniil Medvedev. But if the Russian gets a run: why not? The same applies to Stefanos Tsitsipas, who reported back to Monte Carlo.
Alexander Zverev looks in great shape, but has been waiting for the big success for a long time.
All in all, it could even come down to the defending champion: Novak Djokovic. The world number one withdrew after his exit in Monte Carlo and wants to compete in Rome. And this year in Roland-Garros he won two titles: his 25th major and the gold medal at the Olympic Games.
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Djokovic Novak Ruud Casper
2024-05-02 18:38:00
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