We’re not going to lie to you. We had to rack our brains a little before establishing a hierarchy among the candidates for final victory in this Roland-Garros 2024.
The list is necessarily subjective, as this edition which begins on Sunday promises to be more open than ever. None of the three big favorites automatically designated before each Parisian Major arrives in the best conditions.
Favorites lacking confidence…
Rafael Nadal is in full doubt about his level. The situation is known: in three tournaments since his return to competition (Barcelona, Madrid, Rome), the 37-year-old player has not reassured. His best result is a round of 16 in the Spanish capital. Eliminated in the second round in Rome by Hubert Hurkacz (6-1, 6-3), the Bull of Manacor had even questioned his participation at Roland-Garros. “If I am not ready, I will not play Roland-Garros,” he explained in substance. He is finally in the picture, but will he manage to regain all his sensations and hold on physically in five-set matches? The question is all the more legitimate as he will meet Alexander Zverev in the first round.
Here are the reasons that would push Rafael Nadal to play Roland-Garros
Finding your feelings again is also Novak Djokovic’s objective. To achieve this, the Serbian chose to compete this week in the ATP 250 in Geneva, the last preparatory event for the French Open. Unusually, this is proof that he lacks confidence. “I need matches. Currently, there is no better training for me,” he explained at a press conference on Tuesday, the day before his victory against the German Yannick Hanfmann (ATP 85). The native of Belgrade, who also said he is good in his head and in his body, will arrive in Paris without ever having raised his arms this season. Which hadn’t happened to him for six years. However, we feel that the defending champion is hungry and knowing what he is capable of, we would not be surprised to see him lift the trophy on Sunday June 9.
Carlos Alcaraz. © Manu Fernandez
…or victims of physical problems
For his part, Carlos Alcaraz arrived in Paris this Wednesday with his bag full of motivation. Only problem: his preparation was not ideal. Far from there. The 20-year-old, still in search of a title at Roland-Garros, has only played one tournament on ocher this season (forfeit to Monte-Carlo, Barcelona and Rome). The fault lies with a right forearm which has been causing him pain for weeks. “I need rest to recover and be able to play without any pain,” commented the Spaniard after giving up on the Masters 1,000 in Rome two weeks ago. Relatively (and deliberately?) discreet in recent weeks, will he be in full possession of his means?
This situation frustrates Carlos Alcaraz: “Yet I do my job well”
Zverev, Tsitsipas et Ruud en ambush
Jannik Sinner. © AFP or licensors
Jannik Sinner was hampered in his preparation by a hip injury. Forced to withdraw before his quarter-final duel in Madrid and then give up in Rome, he arrived in Paris on Wednesday after a positive MRI and encouraging training in Monaco. The Italian, who could take the place of world No. 1 from Djokokvic, is no longer suffering but the unknown remains his physical condition and his lack of rhythm.
Outsiders who have already won this season
Crowned in Rome last Sunday, Alexander Zverev will obviously be one to watch. The German will present himself with full confidence. “I can dream again,” said the man who seriously injured his ankle in the semi-final of the 2022 edition against Rafael Nadal.
For the rest, as Djokovic mentioned in Switzerland, everyone who won an important tournament on clay this year constitutes logical favorites. Some more than others.
Casper Ruud occupies a privileged place there. Despite his elimination in the eighth in Madrid and in the first round in Rome, remember that he was a finalist at the Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo and that he won the ATP 500 in Barcelona. Above all, he remains in two finals at Porte d’Auteuil.
Stefanos Tsitsipas is in a bit of the same situation. The Greek won the title in Monte-Carlo then played in the final in Barcelona before falling back into line a little with an entry elimination in Madrid and a quarter in Rome.
Alexander Zverev. ©Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Finally, it remains to mention the Russians Andrey Rublev, winner of the Masters 1000 in Madrid in early May, and Daniil Medvedev. The latter, however, has not won anything this season and has always proclaimed his hatred of crushed bricks. “I love it more than before, as far as the game goes. But then again, when someone asks me the thing I hate about clay, for me it’s the dirt.”
Place your bets !
2024-05-24 04:38:00
#lack #confidence #physical #failure #favorites #mens #draw #RolandGarros
