Djokovic, who’s vying for his 23rd Grand Slam title and aiming to defend his Roland Garros crown, has been seeded third within the absence of the injured Rafael Nadal, marking the primary time since 2005 that Nadal is not going to be taking part within the event.
Within the first spherical, Djokovic will face Aleksandar Kovacevic, ranked 114th on this planet, in what will probably be Kovacevic’s debut in a Grand Slam principal draw. This yr’s French Open can be the primary since 1998 with out the presence of Nadal or the retired Roger Federer.
Djokovic, who just lately turned 34, has been grappling with a recurring proper elbow harm that has disrupted his efficiency on clay courts. He did not progress past the quarterfinals within the three clay-court occasions he participated on this spring, leading to him relinquishing the world primary rating to Carlos Alcaraz.
Moreover, Djokovic has dropped to 3rd within the rankings, with Daniil Medvedev surpassing him after claiming the Italian Open title.
Each Alcaraz, the reigning US Open champion, and Medvedev will begin their campaigns at Roland Garros towards qualifiers or fortunate losers. Alcaraz can be on monitor to doubtlessly face Stefanos Tsitsipas, the runner-up of the 2021 French Open, within the quarterfinals.
On the ladies’s aspect, defending champion Iga Swiatek will start her title defence towards Cristina Bucsa of Spain, who’s at the moment ranked 67th on this planet. Swiatek goals to change into the primary back-to-back ladies’s champion on the French Open in 16 years, however she is coming off a thigh harm that compelled her to retire in Rome.
Swiatek is projected to face Coco Gauff, the runner-up of the 2022 French Open, within the quarterfinals, and a possible conflict with Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, the current Italian Open winner, within the semi-finals.
“That is my favorite event. I all the time get this further motivation to practise more durable right here. I am actually excited to be right here,” Swiatek mentioned throughout the draw ceremony.
Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, will kick off her marketing campaign towards Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk within the opening spherical. Regardless of reaching at the least the semi-finals within the different three Grand Slam tournaments, Sabalenka has by no means superior past the third spherical in Paris.
Amongst different notable matches, third seed Jessica Pegula will face fellow American Danielle Collins, the finalist of the 2022 Australian Open, within the first spherical. Seventh seed Ons Jabeur may doubtlessly meet Rybakina within the quarterfinals, as Jabeur goals to enhance upon her runner-up finishes at Wimbledon and the US Open.
The French Open guarantees to ship thrilling matches and fascinating storylines because the world’s prime gamers collect to compete for the celebrated Grand Slam title. Tennis fans can look ahead to witnessing exceptional performances and intense battles on the clay courts of Roland Garros.
(With inputs from AFP)
