Potential farewells, struggles for form and fitness, and the battle for World No. 1. The storylines are likely to come thick and fast as the ATP Tour’s finest compete at Roland Garros.
Despite an injury-disrupted year and his acknowledgement that there is ‘a big, big chance’ this will be his final Roland Garros appearance, Rafael Nadal retains belief he can add to his record 14 titles at the clay-court major in Paris.
“In some way this place is magical for me,” said Nadal, who faces a blockbuster first-round clash against Alexander Zverev. “Things that were difficult to imagine [happened a lot here]. So if, in the bottom of my heart, I don’t have any hope to have success here and to create a beautiful thing this year, I would not be here.”
The defending champion in Paris is Novak Djokovic. The World No. 1 will hope to rediscover his best level after an uncertain 2024 so far: The Serbian is yet to reach a final this year, and has acknowledged he is worried about his lack of form.
Jannik Sinner will have no concerns about form but hopes his fitness comes good. The Italian has racked up a 28-2 record this year, but he has not competed since April due to a hip injury. If his body holds up in Paris, Sinner has the chance to overtake Djokovic and reach No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time.
Like Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz also comes into Roland Garros after a three-week injury layoff, but now says he is pain-free. Is this the moment the Spaniard joins his countryman Nadal as a Roland Garros champion? Those inquiries and narrative threads will be addressed.
Photo/MatthewBodfield/WORLDWIDEWEST
ATP Tour contributed to this column
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.