Novak Djokovic and Alcarez
– Photo: Social Media
Expansion
Spanish veteran Rafael Nadal will not be able to participate in the French Open tennis starting on Sunday due to injury. In such a situation, a new generation and current world number one Carlos Alcarez has an opportunity to become champion. Nadal, the king of red gravel, has won 14 titles since 2005 in this Grand Slam of claycourts. The 22-time Grand Slam winner has been troubled by his injury since the first Grand Slam Australian Open of the year and there are possibilities of saying goodbye to his tennis court next year.
At Roland Garros, Nadal’s compatriot Alcarez will try to stop another contender, Novak Djokovic of Serbia. The 20-year-old Alcarez has recently shown signs of his preparation by winning titles in Barcelona and Madrid. Last year he had captured the US Open. Djokovic is eyeing his 23rd Grand Slam title.
Djokovic could not play in many tournaments
In January, Djokovic equaled Nadal’s tally of 22 Grand Slams with the Australian Open. By the way, their preparations cannot be called more ideal. He could not play in Indian Wells and Miami due to non-vaccination. Also an elbow injury kept him away from Madrid. Then in Rome he struggled with fitness and lost to Dane Holger Rune, who later became the runner-up. However, Rune believes Djokovic is the strongest contender to win his third title in Paris. Djokovic himself says that this is the chance for the new generation to shine.
Djokovic said that Alcarez is playing well. We have been saying for many years that a new generation is coming in tennis. But my hunger to win titles is still there. Let’s see how far I take my challenge. Another contender, Daniil Medvedev of Russia, has done well on clay courts this season. Two years ago, Medvedev reached the quarterfinals here and also reached the finals of Indian Wells.
Dominic Thiem’s claim is also strong
Last year’s runner-up Casper Rudd won the title this year in Estoril. He reached the semi-finals in Rome. Andre Rublev, who did well in Monte Carlo, is finding his rhythm. Apart from Stefanos Tsitsipas, who lost the title to Djokovic two years ago, the claim of Dominic Thiem, who reached the final of the French Open twice, cannot be ruled out.
Sabalenka challenges Swiatek in women’s category
In the women’s section, world number one Inga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina have a chance to win the title and become number one. This year these three players have won seven titles and they are considered to be major contenders in this year’s second Grand Slam as well. Defending champion Swiatek, when asked about Sabalenka and Rybakina, said that we have played so many matches against each other that we understand each other’s game very well.
The 21-year-old Swiatek, a three-time Grand Slam champion, also won the title in Paris in 2020. This year she won titles in Qatar and Stuttgart and reached claycourt finals in Dubai and Madrid. The 25-year-old Sabalenka, the world number two, has won three titles this year and is in danger of Swiatek’s number one spot. Although she has not progressed past round three at the French Open, she has beaten Swiatek on clay courts in Madrid in May. While world number four Rybakina will be desperate to win her second Grand Slam title.
