In the absence of King Rafael Nadal and his 14 titles, the pretenders to the throne are legion, but two names stand out.
To discover
- Roland Garros Men's Singles
- Roland Garros Women's Singles
Favourites
Carlos Alcaraz the heir. The Spaniard, barely 20 years old, winner last year of his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, could offer himself a first title on the Parisian clay.
The youngest world number 1 in history, quarter-finalist Porte d'Auteuil in 2022, won in Barcelona and Madrid in pre-season, but remains on a defeat against the Hungarian Fabian Marozsan (115th in the world), during his entry into the competition in Rome. This misstep does not prevent him from advancing as a favorite just ahead of the inevitable Djokovic. The two men could meet in the semi-finals for a clash of generations.
" READ ALSO Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz succeeds his return to earth
Novak Djokovic in the unknown. The world No. 3, winner of his 22nd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, has few certainties at the moment. Absent from the American tour due to his non-vaccination for Covid-19, he accumulated counter-performances on ochre by falling in the 8th finals in Monte-Carlo and in the quarters of the Banja Luka and Rome tournaments. His discomfort in his right elbow could play tricks on him. But, in Grand Slams, the insatiable Serb should never be underestimated.
Iga Swiatek with a touch of concern. The Pole remains the favorite to succeed herself, even if she does not arrive at Roland Garros with as much confidence as last year, with a run of 29 consecutive victories. His abandonment on May 17, in the quarterfinals in Rome, for discomfort in the right thigh, has raised some concerns. Before her retirement, she had won the tournament in Stuttgart and played a final in Madrid, beaten by her main opponent, Aryna Sabalenka, winner of the last Australian Open.
The French
The French hopes are mainly based on the 5th world player Caroline Garcia. But the most anticipated Frenchwoman Porte d'Auteuil does not show great confidence before the big appointment (see page 43). The number 2 Alizé Cornet, 59th in the world, has been disappointing since the beginning of the season.
Caroline Garcia. MISS THOMAS/PRESS SPORTS/PRESS SPORTS
The (small) blue spark could be caused by the new generation embodied by Diane Parry (3rd round in 2022) and Clara Burel in form in recent weeks. Before the end of qualifying, they were already nineteen French riders guaranteed to be on the starting line of the men's main draw. It remains to be seen how many will be in the second week...
Last year, only Hugo Gaston, often comfortable on the Parisian clay and former 8th finalist (2020), and the now retired Gilles Simon had reached the 3rd round. Seeing a Blue in the 8th final would almost be an achievement, because for the second year in a row, none of them is seeded Porte d'Auteuil in the men's draw.
If they are still eleven in the top 100, the best ranked, Ugo Humbert, is only 38th in the world. Messin, who is playing his 5th Roland-Garros in the big draw, will already try to hang a first victory...
" READ ALSO Tennis: Humbert corrects Gasquet and goes to the final in Bordeaux
Ugo Humbert. Dubreuil Corinne/ABACA/Dubreuil Corinne/ABACA
One certainty: there will be at least three French in the 2nd round since three 100% French matches will take place at the start. For their part, young shoots Luca van Assche and Arthur Fils, 18, hope to gain some experience for their first in the clay temple.
Discoveries
Ben Shelton, rising star. The left-hander is part of the new wave of American tennis (13 players in the top 100). At 20 years old, the quarter-finalist of the last Australian Open is slowly settling in. 547th in May 2022, he points a year later to 35th place in the world. And attracts light.
His father Bryan was 55th in the world in 1992, he became one of the ambassadors of the brand "On", of which Roger Federer is a shareholder. He will discover Roland-Garros, without landmarks (5 defeats in 7 matches on clay in two months).
Ben Shelton. Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic/Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic
Jiri Lehecka, Berdych 2.0. The Czech had never won a Grand Slam match before reaching the quarterfinals of the last Australian Open, dismissing Coric, Norrie and Auger-Aliassime. Since February, the one who sometimes trains with his compatriot Tomas Berdych, continues his apprenticeship. Semi-finalist in Doha after beating Rublev, he is still looking for consistency.
Varvara Gracheva, the blue line. The Russian, who has been training since 2016 in Cannes, has taken steps to obtain French nationality. At 22, she is ranked 44th in the world and has already played 10 Grand Slam tournaments (including 3 at Roland-Garros where she reached the 3rd round in 2021 and 2022). Gracheva this year dominated two top-10 players: Russia's Daria Kasatkina at the Australian Open, Tunisia's Ons Jabeur in Miami, and was a finalist in Austin.
Varvara Gracheva. CLIVE BRUNSKILL/Getty Images via AFP
Alicia Parks, flames in the racket. The American (22 years old, 49th) less precocious than her compatriot Coco Gauff, discovers herself. Titled in Lyon in February (at the expense of Caroline Garcia), her first WTA trophy, she played her first Roland-Garros. Spectacular, it relies on a powerful service, flashed up to 208 km / h.
" READ ALSO Tennis: the Russian Varvara Gracheva should soon obtain the French naturalization
The underdogs
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek turns around. Finalist in 2021 (he led 2 sets 0 against Novak Djokovic), finalist of the last Australian Open (also dominated by the Serb), the Greek invites himself as one of the headliners of the tournament. But its untitled spring has been less dizzying than in the past two years.
Holger Rune, the strong head. Cap turned upside down, decided gait, look of fire, the tempestuous Dane confirms week after week his talent. He won twice in a row against Djokovic (in the final at Paris-Bercy and in the quarters in Rome). Titled in Munich, finalist in Monte-Carlo and Rome, last year's promising quarter-finalist wants to take the opportunity to show that he has changed dimension.
Daniil Medvedev-Andrey Rublev, a Russian duo to break the lock. Titled in Rome, Medvedev has finally overcome his homesickness (where he posted only 52.8% success) and Andrey Rublev, winner of his first Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo, would like to twist the curse of the quarterfinals in Grand Slam (no victory in seven attempts).
Daniil Medvedev. ALEKSANDRA SZMIGIEL/REUTERS
Elena Rybakina, the 3rd woman. The Kazakh, winner of Wimbledon in 2022, finalist of the last Australian Open settles as a safe bet, never missing an opportunity to split the domination of the duo Swiatek-Sabalenka. In recent weeks, she has capped the crown in Indian Wells and Rome.
Elena Rybakina. ALEX PANTLING/Getty Images via AFP
Coco Gauff has everything of a (very) great. Propelled phenomenon since an 8th final at Wimbledon at 15 years old, the American has been able to withstand the weight of expectation. Last year, she had illuminated the fortnight with her freshness (unfortunate finalist of the singles and women's doubles).
