Tennis Shake-Up: Uncertainty Looms as Top Men Struggle Before French Open

Clay, like grass, is a live surface, so it can take players time to adapt to it. But this season, especially on the men’s side of the game, few players have found their feet or form on clay.

In the lead-up to Roland Garros, a narrative usually develops in which one or two players establish themselves as the best on le terre battue and proceed to dominate the rest of the clay-court season. However, on the men’s side, no one player has shown true consistency, with each of the four biggest clay-court tournaments before the French Open producing a different winner.

The French Open promises to be the most open that it has been for 20 years. The absence of clear favorites marks a departure from the usual dominance of the iconic trio – Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.

With 14 French Open titles to his name, Rafael Nadal is the King of Clay, but injury woes cast doubt on his participation and chances of winning. Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, also faces form and preparation challenges ahead of the tournament.

Two young talents, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, are dealing with injuries, adding to the uncertainty of their presence in Paris. This leaves a door open for other players to shine at Roland Garros.

Alexander Zverev emerges as a potential favorite among the outsiders after his recent victory in Rome, showcasing his affinity with clay. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud, despite past successes, face inconsistencies in their performance on clay this season.

The Russian duo of Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, while formidable, lack the momentum to secure a French Open victory. The unpredictability of form adds an intriguing dimension to the upcoming tournament.

Despite the odds, the 2024 French Open presents a unique opportunity for a rank outsider to claim a Major title, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable competition.