Up to five players could win this year’s men’s French Open in the “widest open” Grand Slam since Rafael Nadal’s domination, according to Marion Bartoli.
With 14-time champion Nadal sitting out a chunk of the season ahead of an expected swansong next year, Spanish hopes at the French Open now rest on Carlos Alcaraz’s broad shoulders.
The 20-year-old claimed his first Grand Slam title at the US Open last summer but was forced to sit out the Australian Open through injury so will be entering a major as a slam champion for the first time.
He is also the top seed after surpassing Novak Djokovic following back-to-back titles in Barcelona and Madrid.
“This is going to be the widest open Roland Garros we’re going to have since Nadal’s domination,” said Bartoli, speaking to Sky Sports.
“I have picked five names who could win this year and they are Djokovic, Alcaraz, Holger Rune, Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas. I still feel like one of those players will be the winner but picking five names who could win the men’s tournament has never happened in the past in almost 20 years.
“It was always Rafa, Roger Federer or Djokovic.
“One of those guys has a huge shot to win Roland Garros which is very surprising.”
Alcaraz could potentially meet Djokovic in the semi-finals, while his swift rise and instant popularity has been a gift to the sport as it faces losing all of its long-time figureheads.
“Alcaraz is one of the favourites but he’s not the overwhelming favourite. No, I don’t think so. There is not one player who stands out in the pack,” continued 2013 Wimbledon champion, Bartoli.
Djokovic is not 100 per cent so we will have to see how physically he deals with his small elbow injury and find some form as the tournament progresses.
Daniil Medvedev has overtaken Djokovic to claim the second seeding by virtue of winning his first tour title on clay at the Italian Open last weekend.
He lost in the first round on his first four appearances at Roland Garros before reaching the quarter-finals in 2021 and the fourth round last year.
“Rome came and out of the blue for Daniil Medvedev to win it under very, very slow conditions because it had been raining for two weeks in the Italian capital,” said Bartoli, who made the semi-finals of the 2011 French Open.
“He’s been able to grab the title and you may think he’s made for faster surfaces, he’s still able to win under slow clay-courts and go all the way to the title, beating Rune.
“You may think of players who you would normally not give a chance actually have a chance this year and that’s something new.
“Djokovic is not 100 per cent so we will have to see how physically he deals with his small elbow injury and find some form as the tournament progresses.”
Can Swiatek make it a hat-trick of titles?
Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are dominating women’s tennis having won seven of the biggest
titles of the season so far and hold all four Slam trophies, burying the narrative of instability at the top of the women’s game post-Serena Williams.
It would be a major surprise if the winner of the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen does not come from that trio and Swiatek, who cruised to her second Roland Garros title last year.
“Swiatek has to be able to do it over again,” said Bartoli. “She’s been able to win at Roland Garros on multiple occasions and she’s overwhelming favourite this year, so it’s about dealing with the pressure.
“You can see the stress in her face and stress-related shots when she faces a big-hitter like Sabalenka and Rybakina but for her it’s about being able to deal with the favourite tag and find a way to stay calm to counter-attack the power hitters.”
Which British players will be competing at the French Open?
Cameron Norrie
Cameron Norrie has reached the third round the last two years in Paris
The British No 1’s form has tailed off after a spectacular start to the season, which included victories over Nadal and Alcaraz – the latter bringing him his second biggest title at the ATP Tour event in Rio. Norrie’s heavy, spinning forehand and athletic prowess make him well suited to clay and his position in the top 16 keeps him away from the big guns through the early rounds. A place in the second week will be his target.
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 last couple of seasons and finally won his first match at Roland Garros last year. After a difficult spell post Australian Open when he lost five straight matches, clay has seen the 33-year-old hit form, with runs to the semi-finals of ATP events in Marrakech and Barcelona keeping him in the top 25.
Jack Draper
Jack Draper will be making his Roland Garros debut
There have been more glimpses this season of what a phenomenal player the 21-year-old left-hander could be, including victories over Andy Murray and Evans in Indian Wells. But frustratingly he has again been restricted by physical problems, the latest an abdominal injury that dogged him for two months. Like his good friend Emma Raducanu, the most important priority for Draper, who will be making his Roland Garros debut, is ensuring his body is not his most difficult opponent.
Kyle Edmund
Kyle Edmund will be playing at the French Open for the first time since 2019
The road back from a long-term knee injury that required three operations has been slow for Edmund, who is ranked down at 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 favourable draw than in recent major tournaments. The former world No 14 is yet to win a tour level match this year but he has had some success at lower levels and, at 28, still has time on his side if his knee allows.
Wheelchair draws
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 the charge for the Brits in both the singles and doubles events.
Hewett – a three-time champion at the tournament – will be motivated to pick up his second singles Grand Slam title of the year, while Reid will be hoping to challenge his doubles partner to the title.
Having picked up 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 be leading the British line in the singles draw, and Andy Lapthorne will be hoping to clinch the title in the quad draw.
