This year’s men’s French Open could be won by five players in the “most comprehensive Open” Grand Slam since Rafael Nadal’s dominance, according to Marion Bartoli.
With 14-time champion Nadal sitting out part of the season ahead of a potentially spectacular performance next year, the Spaniard’s hopes at the French Open now rest on the shoulders of Carlos Alcaraz.
The 20-year-old claimed her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open last summer but was forced to sit out the Australian Open due to injury, so will enter as a first-time Slam champion.
He has overtaken Novak Djokovic as the top seed after winning back-to-back titles in Barcelona and Madrid.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Bartoli said, “It’s going to be the biggest open Roland Garros since Nadal dominated.”
“I have picked five names who can win this year and they are Djokovic, Alcaraj, Holger Roon, Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas. I still think one of those players will be the winner but picking five names who can win the men’s tournament Were never happened in the past in about 20 years.
“It was always Rafa, Roger Federer or Djokovic.
“To have one of those guys have a great shot at winning Roland Garros is pretty amazing.”
Alcaraz could potentially face Djokovic in the semi-finals, while his rapid rise and instant popularity are a gift to the sport as it faces the loss of all its longtime figureheads.
Bartoli, the 2013 Wimbledon champion, said, “Alcaraz is one of the favourites, but he is not the overwhelming favourite. No, I don’t think so. No player is that different in the pack.”
Djokovic is not 100 per cent so we will have to see how he physically deals with his minor elbow injury and finds some form as the tournament progresses.
Daniil Medvedev has overtaken Djokovic to claim the second seed by winning his first tour title on clay at the Italian Open last weekend.
He had lost in the first round of his first four encounters at Roland Garros before reaching the quarterfinals in 2021 and the fourth round last year.
“Rome came and it came out of the blue for Daniil Medvedev to win it in very slow conditions, as it had been raining for two weeks in the Italian capital,” said Bartoli, who made it to the semi-finals of the 2011 French Open.
“He’s capable of grabbing titles and you might think he’s made for fast surfaces, he’s still capable of winning on slow clay-courts and beat Roon to go to the title.
“You can think of players who you wouldn’t normally get a chance to actually get a chance this year and it’s something new.
“Djokovic is not 100 per cent so we will have to see how he physically deals with his minor elbow injury and finds some form as the tournament progresses.”
Will Swiatek be able to make it a hat-trick of titles?
Women’s tennis has been dominated by Inga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina with seven major victories.
Burying the legend of instability at the top of the women’s game after Serena Williams has taken the season title and all four Slam trophies to her name.
It would be a big surprise if Coupe winner Suzanne Lenglen doesn’t come from the trio and Swiatek, who cruised to her second Roland Garros title last year.
“Swatec should be able to do it again,” Bartoli said. “She’s been able to win at Roland Garros on several occasions and she’s the favorite this year, so it’s about handling the pressure.
“You can see the tension and stress-related shots on her face when she faces big-hitters like Sabalenka and Rybakina, but for her it’s a way of being able to tackle the favorite tag and stay calm to counter-attack.” It’s about finding power hitters.”
Which British players will compete at the French Open?
Cameron Norrie
Cameron Norrie has reached the third round in Paris the last two years
The British No 1’s form has faltered after a promising start to the season, which included wins over Nadal and Alcaraz – the latter costing him his second biggest title at an ATP Tour event in Rio. Norrie’s heavy, rotating forehand and athletic prowess make her well-suited to clay and her position in the top 16 keeps her away from the big guns in the early rounds. A place in the second week will be his goal.
Dan Evans
Dan Evans won his first match at Roland Garros last year
A committed ‘clayphobe’ for most of his career, Evans has found his feet on the red stuff over the past few seasons and finally won his first match at Roland Garros last year. After a difficult spell following the Australian Open when he lost five matches in a row, Clay has seen the 33-year-old hit form, with runs to the semifinals of ATP events in Marrakech and Barcelona to keep him in the top 25.
jack draper
Jack Draper will make his Roland Garros debut
There have been more glimpses this season of what the 21-year-old left-hander could be, including wins over Andy Murray and Evans at Indian Wells. But disappointingly he has again been restricted by physical problems, the latest being a stomach injury that has plagued him for two months. Like her good friend Emma Raducanu, the most important priority for Draper, who is making her Roland Garros debut, is making sure her body isn’t her toughest opponent.
Kyle Edmond
Kyle Edmund will play in the French Open for the first time since 2019
Returning from a longstanding knee injury that required three operations has been slow for Edmond, who is ranked 445. A protected ranking of 48 has allowed him to enter the French Open for the first time since 2019 and he will hope for a more favorable draw than in recent major tournaments. The former world number 14 is yet to win a tour-level match this year, but has found some success at lower levels and at 28, he still has time, if his knees allow.
pulls a wheelchair
Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett lead the charge for the Brits in both the wheelchair singles and doubles events
Reigning men’s doubles champions Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid are set to lead Britain in both the singles and doubles events.
Hewett – the three-time champion at the tournament – will be motivated to claim his second singles Grand Slam title of the year, while Reid will be hoping to challenge his doubles partner for the title.
After winning their 16th Grand Slam title together at the Australian Open, the pair are set to join forces for the doubles draw.
Meanwhile, British No. 1 Lucy Shuker could lead the British line in the singles draw, and Andy Lapthorne will be hoping to win the title in the quads draw.