THINGS have changed at Roland Garros this year, with the site undergoing huge improvements in preparation for a new roof over the main Philippe Chatrier court from 2020.
Despite all the changes, however, one thing remains the same: Rafael Nadal is still the big favourite to come out on top, just as he has done a record 11 times.
The Spaniard turns 33 in the second week of the French Open, which begins here today, and if he’s not quite as dominant as he once was on clay, he is still the man to beat.
A poor start to the clay-court season, with early defeats in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, left him looking vulnerable, half a step slower than in his pomp, his usually fearsome forehand lacking a little punch.
When world No.1 Novak Djokovic won the title in Madrid, there was even talk of Nadal not being favourite in Paris but the Spaniard righted
the ship just in time, his win in
Rome a fortnight ago a statement of intent. And so, although the return of Roger Federer to the French Open for the first time since 2015 will capture many headlines, all eyes will again be on Nadal.
The runner-up at the Australian Open in January, Nadal has again endured his share of injuries of late, another knee issue putting him out of Indian Wells before a projected
semi-final against Federer (inset) and leaving him slightly under-done going into Monte Carlo.
But Nadal has found his form at the right time and he arrived in Paris content, knowing that he is healthy and ready to go for what would be a 12th title, having won for the first time in 2005.
“I feel myself playing well, being honest, and my goal is just to keep playing at that level,” said Nadal,
who will play qualifiers ranked outside the top 100 in each of his first two rounds.
“There are things always that I can improve, small things, [so I am] just working on small things. [I feel] good. Have already two good practises. Just trying to continue the preparation and just hold the level.”
Nadal knows as well as anyone, though, that a 12th title is likely to come only if he plays close to his very best, with Djokovic leading the
chasing pack.
After a slow start in Monte Carlo, the Serb won Madrid and but for two epic matches and some interesting late-night scheduling, he might have pushed Nadal even harder than he did in the Rome final.
Djokovic’s win in Australia at the start of this year took him to 15 grand slams, two behind Nadal and five behind Federer.
At 32, Djokovic goes into Paris chasing a second “Nole Slam”, having won three straight slams, just as he did in 2016.
On that occasion, his win at Roland Garros completed the slam but saw him lose motivation. This time, there is no hint that the same thing might happen and Djokovic has set his sights on chasing down Federer.
“I’m sure I’m not the only one but, for me, there is an extra motivation and incentive to win Roland Garros because of the opportunity to hold all four slams, something I did three years ago in my career, and that gives me obviously enough reason to believe I can do it again,” he said on the eve of the event.
Last year, he was a month or so short of his best as he recovered from injury and surgery but things are different this time and he knows he can beat Nadal, even on clay.
“Twelve months later I hold three slams and being No.1 in the world,” he said. “I set up a strategy with my team to peak at the grand slams because at this stage of my career, those are the ones that matter the most for me.”
Federer is back in the field for the first time since 2015, having skipped the event in 2017 and 2018 to focus on the grass.
“Ten years ago being able to win it, that was a dream come true,” the 37-year-old said. “I feel like I’m
playing good tennis, but is it enough or is it enough against the absolute top guys when it really comes to the crunch? I’m not sure if it’s in my racquet, but I hope I can get myself in that position deep down in the tournament against the top guys.”
Behind the top three, last year’s runner-up Dominic Thiem is the most likely to upset the odds, while with Andy Murray still not ready to return, Britain’s hopes rest with Kyle Edmund, Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans.
Simona Halep defends the women’s title, while world No 1 Naomi Osaka goes for a third straight slam and the likes of Petra Kvitova, Sloane Stephens and Serena Williams will all have their chances.
But if the men’s title goes to anyone other than Nadal, it will be a big surprise.
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