Roland-Garros: Alcaraz and Djokovic on the men's side, Swiatek and Sabalenka on the women's side, the favorites of 2023

More open than ever: this is the summary of the men's draw of this Roland-Garros 2023 edition. Without Rafael Nadal, on pause for many months, the fight for the Parisian Grand Slam promises to be fierce. Novak Djokovic, two-time winner on clay (2016, 2021), and Carlos Alcaraz, the world number one, start as favourites. But they are not the only ones vying for the title.

In men

• Novak Djokovic

36 years old. Serbian. Number 3 in the world. 0 title on clay in 2023, finalist in Belgrade. LP/Arnaud Journois

On the way to a 23rd Grand Slam title? Without his great rival Nadal, with whom he holds the record of titles (22 in GC), Djoko wants to write history at Roland-Garros and win a third success in Paris after 2016 and 2021. But with the exception of a final at home in Belgrade (Serbia), he has few references on clay this season. Without landmarks and with an affected body (elbow, back), will he be able to compete with the youngest?

• Carlos Alcaraz

20 years. Spanish. Number 1 in the world. 2 titles on clay in 2023 (Madrid, Barcelona). LP/Olivier Arandel

A Spaniard to succeed another? The new boss of world tennis, who arrives Porte d'Auteuil for the third time (141st in the world in 2021), seems armed. The winner of the last US Open triumphed at home in Barcelona, then in Madrid, before falling in Rome in the 3rd round against Fabian Marozsan, the 135th in the world. A hiccup that he wants to erase, quickly. "It's crazy to arrive in Paris as world No. 1. Yet I am the same man as before. Almost. If the hierarchy is respected, Alcaraz will meet Djokovic for a semifinal that promises.

• Daniil Medvedev

27 years old. Russian. Number 2 in the world. 1 title on clay in 2023 (Rome). LP/Arnaud Journois

Released in the 1st round from 2017 to 2020, the Russian Francophile has discovered an earthling's soul. Winner in Rome, quarter-finalist in Monte-Carlo, he should not encounter obstacles until the quarter-finals and possible reunion with Alexander Zverev. "Rome changed a lot of things from my appreciation of clay," he says. Tennis is first and foremost a mental sport and you had to go through it. It's the first time I've arrived in Paris having won matches on clay the week before. I am full of confidence. »

• Casper Ruud

24 years old. Norwegian. Number 4 in the world. 1 title on clay in 2023 (Estoril). LP/Olivier Arandel

He made a name for himself here last year. Tsonga played his last match against him and he fell only in the final under Nadal's strikes. A sword in the water? Not at all: his recent final at the US Open said the opposite. The Scandinavian is installed for a while at the top of the hierarchy. At home, the Norwegians nicknamed him the king of clay. He only asks to be sacred: "It would be nice if one day I could deserve this nickname. Of course, clay is my best surface and that's where I enjoy playing the most. »

• Stefanos Tsitsipas

24 years old. Greek. Number 5 in the world. 0 title on clay in 2023. LP/Olivier Arandel

Semi-finalist in Paris in 2020, finalist in 2021 against Djokovic, he is chasing a tournament victory for a year. Still beaten in Australia at the beginning of the year by the Serb, he lost another final in Barcelona on clay against Alcaraz in April. That he could find in quarters. "I have the ability to win," said the Greek. I can feel it. But I have to play good first matches to feel that I can do something good. The only favorite to play on Sunday, he had all the trouble in the world to get rid of the Czech Vesely.

• Holger Rune

20 years. Danish. Number 6 in the world. 1 victory on clay in 2023 (Munich). LP/Olivier Arandel

He was born the same week as Carlos Alcaraz. He revealed himself to the world exactly a year ago, right here, by reaching the quarter-finals to lose to Ruud. The very ambitious Blondinet, to the point of bordering on insolence, has already triumphed in Paris by winning the Masters 1000 last autumn. He does not hide that he wants to do it again, on clay this time: "I want to win a Grand Slam this year," he says. That is what I have said in the past and I will leave it at that. Obviously, I hope this can be done at Roland Garros. »

In women

Among these ladies, Iga Swiatek, defending champion and two-time winner (2020, 2022), leads the ball of contenders. Followed by Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, world number 2. But watch out for the American Coco Gauff, the Tunisian Ons Jabeur or the French Caroline Garcia...

• Iga Swiatek

21 years old. Polish. World number one. 1 victory on clay in 2023. LP/Arnaud Journois

Great favorite of the tournament, the Pole has already conquered Roland-Garros twice (2020, 2022). Winner in Stuttgart, finalist in Madrid, his clay-court season seemed to be going well until a physical alert and a forfeit in Rome. But Iga Swiatek has reassured on the state of his thigh and is aiming for a third title in Paris. His main difficulty? Its very competitive part of the table.

• Aryna Sabalenka

25 years. Biélorssue. Number 2 worldwide. 1 victory on clay in 2023 (Madrid). The Parisian

Surprised in the first round of the Rome tournament, Sabalenka is still in the lead behind Swiatek, whom she beat in the final in Madrid. Already winner of the Australian Open this year, she is aiming for a second career Grand Slam. But Paris never really succeeded her since she never made it past the third round...

• Coco Gauff

19 years old. American. Number 6 in the world. 0 wins on clay in 2023. LP/Arnaud Journois

The young prodigy is not having her best season, except for a title in Auckland to start the year. But she has strong credentials on the Parisian clay, with a final in 2022 and a semi-final in 2021. She could cross paths with Swiatek in the quarterfinals.

• Ons Jabeur

28 years old. Tunisian. Number 7 in the world. 1 title on clay in 2023 (Charleston). SUSA/Icon Sport

Finalist of Wimbledon and the US Open in 2022, Ons Jabeur finally wants to shine on the Grand Slam closest to his native country. "Tunisia is very close to Paris. As a result, there are many Tunisians here. To live this, it's really exceptional, "she smiled at a press conference. His first goal is already to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. And why not better?

• Jessica Pegula, Caroline Garcia, Jelena Ostapenko...

An American, a French, a Latvian... The candidates are multiplying for the final victory in a Grand Slam that traditionally knows how to reserve its surprises in the women's draw. Jessica Pegula, world No. 3, is aiming for a first Grand Slam semifinal. Caroline Garcia, world number 5, wants to return to the quarters for the first time since 2017. Finally, do not underestimate the return of Jelena Ostapenko, surprise winner in 2017 and back at the highest level after years without.