A look ahead to the Males Roland Garros

Generally speaking, whenever you mention that you follow (live and breathe) tennis, one of the first things asked of you is – usually after the bemused and almost impressed look you get – : “Oh, what’s your favourite Grand Slam?”

Most casual tennis fans reply Wimbledon. With its pristine grass, creamy strawberries and white dress code, the classy London design represents a sense of elegance and class that never ages. The sort of hippy tennis fan may opt for the US Open, as it represents pretty much the polar opposite. The crowd is often rowdy and borderline toxic. Drama is never far away. Although both are spectacles, Flushing Meadows has a different and more modern aura.

Travelling fans or Aussie-born followers may say Melbourne tips the lot. The inaugural Grand Slam of the season and first major tournament overall on the calendar, there is a lot of anticipation to see the stars of the racket-world battle it out for the first time in months competitively. Yet, rather unfortunately, Roland Garros never gets a mention. It’s understandable after all, clay-court tennis is quite an acquired taste. For every Nick Kyrgios who claims clay unfairly floods the calendar, there is a Stefanos Tstitsipas who champions it as a form of art. I probably side with Kyrgios in this matter. The fact that there lacks a grass masters event is criminal for a tennis purist.

Currently though, in the midst of a whirlwind clay court season and the build-up to Roland Garros well underway, that feels like an issue to deal with at a later date. Three masters tournaments, Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome, came thick and fast, leaving us with a taste of what is to come in the following fortnight. Blockbuster matches blend into each other as entertainment seems never-ending. Yesterday’s draw means business time for tennis as far as Paris and its prestigious Roland Garros are concerned.

His clash with Holger Rune was popcorn as a bitter handshake sent shockwaves through the tennis world. The Dane post-match claimed that Ruud got close up to his face and screamed at the top of his lungs, trying to intimidate him. Somehow, I cannot imagine that. Oh, and of course, the quarter-final clash between Nadal and Djokovic. Hardly a forgotten story though, it must be said.

Similar to the clash the year before in terms of drama, this time it was the Spaniard who walked away victorious in arguably the match of the year. Alexander Zverev looked in a strong position in the semi-final to capitalise on Nadal who was visibly fatigued after that clash. However, he tore ligaments in his ankle and was left screaming in agony on court. In other words, it was an eventful year.

You can probably guess what happened last season. Rafa Nadal won, of course, to make it fourteen Roland Garros titles to his name. However, there were plenty of other storylines that may have been forgotten/ Marin Cilic from nowhere strung together a terrific run that saw him advance to the semifinals. Casper Ruud capitalised on a favourable draw to reach his first of two Grand Slam finals that year, only to suffer what seemed like an inferiority complex against Nadal in the final, as the BreakPoint insight showed.

This year it feels different. Many competitors are no longer on court. When Roger Federer pulled out of Roland Garros last season there were no surprises whatsoever. Retirement seemed inevitable but no one mentioned it. As long as the Swiss didn’t confirm it, there was almost a kidology in the tennis world that he would return. When his retirement was announced the tennis world stopped. To compound that, just a matter of months later Serena Williams announced that the US Open would be her last event. She left the Arthur Ashe shedding tears in harmony with most of the people who attended. Nevertheless, we had Nadal and Djokovic. The world number fifteen added himself to the list last week by announcing that he would take a complete break from all tennis activities to prepare himself for a 2024 farewell tour. Therefore, we are heading to the French Open with Williams and Federer no longer on the scene and an absent Nadal. It’s only this last fortnight that you realise that tennis has finally started moving on. It sounds like captain-obvious material, but did we really think that the current and greatest era of all time would last forever? With the deepest of respect, what is Roland Garros without Nadal? The last time the draw was made without his name in the hat was in 2004. Let that sink in. Fitting it is in a way that there seems to be a regeneration of him by the name of Carlos Alcaraz. Leading onto the contenders anyway…

Carlos Alcaraz ( Contender One)

Yes, Carlos Alcaraz. As controversial as it may sound, I would have backed the world number one as my favourite even if Nadal entered the draw. Whether my gut would agree is another matter entirely. Alcaraz won in Barcelona and Madrid before losing to world number 115 Fabian Maroszan in the season’s greatest shock to this date. Yet, this could actually be a blessing in disguise for the and conducive of a better French Open. After all, it gives him more time to prepare for Paris. Last season’s Roland Garros felt underwhelming for him as he exited to Alexander Zverev in a classic quarter-final. The fact that it was an underwhelming tournament for a nineteen-year-old emphasises the type of talent we are dealing with.

With Rafa Nadal’s absence, Alcaraz will fill the shoes of Spain’s biggest male hope (sorry Davinovich-Fokina) while also becoming the main attraction overall. While number twenty-two was what Nadal was chasing and the race between him and Djokovic was the main focus point now that the spotlight moves to the world number one, it’ll be a different challenge mentally altogether.

On his side of the draw sit Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic. Even if recent clashes with the Greek have looked simple, on Paris clay over five sets, there is no foregone conclusion to a repeat. Meanwhile, Djokovic, one of the greatest players to ever pick up a racket is yet to meet Alcaraz on the big stage. Demolish those two hurdles though, and it’s likely Jannik Sinner stands in the way, the Italian has proved on many occasions he is a match for Alcaraz. So yes, he is the favourite, however, with the draw he has been handed it will have to be one monumental effort to guarantee the trophy

Novak Djokovic (Contender Two )

The Serb has spent a rather average time on clay so far this season. In his three build-up swings at Monte Carlo, Srpska and Rome he has yet to reach a semi-final. As a consequence, he has dropped to world number three and has suffered a trickier draw as a result. Maybe for others, this would ring alarm bells. However, generally speaking, it’s nothing out of the ordinary and almost part of the world number three’s routine. It is hardly unusual for Djokovic and Nadal at most Grand Slams now and Federer was the same at the twilight of his career. The aim of the game is to get match sharp and play your way into the two weeks. Come the second week he is in prime shape and ready to bulldoze past anyone in his path.

The pattern will likely be similar this fortnight and he will be expected to breeze through until he meets Alcaraz. Similar to the forecast of Rybakina v Swiatek in the women’s final four, this feels like the million-dollar clash. Considering it will be the first meeting between the two at a grand slam, the anticipation is immense. In previous years the absence of Nadal would likely see Djokovic promoted to all-out favourite. Yet, the bookies and the tennis world consider Alcaraz to be the best. As I mentioned, I could see the same thing, but I would never fully dismiss Djokovic until he retires.

Jannik Sinner (Contendor Three)

I don’t believe for a second that the Italian is the third-best player in the world however his side’s draw is very favourable. His main threats include Casper Ruud, Felix Auger-Alliassime and Taylor Fritz. All quality professionals although none come with sky-high confidence. Besides, he has had a solid season with progress since 2022 and finds himself fifth in the race to Turin. Aside from that, he has demonstrated the ability to go toe-to-toe with the best of the best. Few can say they have beaten Alcaraz three times, and no one on every surface. Clay isn’t his strongest surface but what is so impressive is how he can take his smooth big-hitting game to every surface without a considerable drop-off. That will be necessary these coming two weeks if he is to end Italy’s eight-year drought for a Grand Slam.

Taylor Fritz (Dark Horse One)

As a tennis fan, there is something that really warms me about Fritz. The same applies to Auger-Alliassime and Ruud. A great deal of respect should be felt when you see players who do not possess the most flair or natural talent but drain out every last bit of their potential. Fritz for a while resembled the air of a top-twenty filler capable of a deep run now and again. However, in the past 18 months, he has taken his game to an unprecedented level on all surfaces including lifting the Indian Wells trophy. Like Sinner, he sits on the favourable side of the draw. No one will be mentioning him, but that is no issue as he is proven to proceed with his business quietly while causing upsets.

Daniil Medvedev (Dark horse Two)

How is a Rome champion a dark horse I hear you ask? It’s Daniil Medvedev. Mr. Entertainment. Probably the most unconventional tennis player as you will ever see, he is the definition of unorthodox. Despite being a previous grand slam champion and world number two he is hardly considered for Roland Garros. His record points to why. In seven appearances he has only made the second week once. Why? It’s really challenging to work out. Despite his 6 foot 6 frame, his serve isn’t a true weapon. He rarely hits people off the court. He grinds. Often while returning he touches the back wall. In other words, he has the profile of someone who excels in clay. It’s likely to be more of a mental issue as the Russian is prone to getting in his own head frequently. In public, he shares his lack of confidence, complains about the surface, and barely rates his chances on the field. Some would argue that he has manifested his poor form over the past few years. However, his attitude this season is fresh. Part of that Rome title was down to his ability to stay cool and not beat himself up when an awkward clay bounce derailed a rally he was in control of etc. Either way, as long as we get to see that twister dance again, I’m sure the fans will be happy.