Rafael Nadal‘s absence from the French Open because of damage has blown the boys’s draw extensive open with Carlos Alcaraz the “slight favorite” over Novak Djokovic, former Grand Slam champion John McEnroe has mentioned.
Nadal has not performed since his hip damage on the Australian Open and the 14-times winner at Roland Garros mentioned it may very well be months earlier than he returns to motion as he prepares to finish his profession in 2024.
“Truthfully it was simply so one-sided the best way Rafa was capable of dominate that every one you’ll be able to discuss is Rafa,” McEnroe instructed Eurosport.
“Novak has as many Grand Slams (22), however you do not put him in the identical breath there (at Roland Garros) as Rafa. He set a bar so excessive that it is unattainable to think about anybody even get near it.
“So from that standpoint alone, it is rather more open … The perfect would have been, if Rafa was nonetheless taking part in at a really excessive degree and somebody was ok to beat him when he is taking part in nice. That is what individuals actually wished to see.”
McEnroe mentioned Djokovic has a terrific likelihood to win a calendar slam this 12 months however the 64-year-old mentioned children like world primary Alcaraz and Holger Rune could make the step up.
“I’d say Alcaraz could be the slight favorite to win this,” McEnroe mentioned.
“Alcaraz has a number of strain now as a result of he is simply such an unbelievable breath of recent air. He is so electrical, the best way he performs, he is obtained such a terrific character that folks need him to win.
“However you then obtained to again it up. He is 20-years-old, however he simply looks as if such a terrific ambassador for our sport that you simply’re kind of pulling for him.”
Nadal has not performed since his hip damage on the Australian Open and the 14-times winner at Roland Garros mentioned it may very well be months earlier than he returns to motion as he prepares to finish his profession in 2024.
“Truthfully it was simply so one-sided the best way Rafa was capable of dominate that every one you’ll be able to discuss is Rafa,” McEnroe instructed Eurosport.
“Novak has as many Grand Slams (22), however you do not put him in the identical breath there (at Roland Garros) as Rafa. He set a bar so excessive that it is unattainable to think about anybody even get near it.
“So from that standpoint alone, it is rather more open … The perfect would have been, if Rafa was nonetheless taking part in at a really excessive degree and somebody was ok to beat him when he is taking part in nice. That is what individuals actually wished to see.”
McEnroe mentioned Djokovic has a terrific likelihood to win a calendar slam this 12 months however the 64-year-old mentioned children like world primary Alcaraz and Holger Rune could make the step up.
“I’d say Alcaraz could be the slight favorite to win this,” McEnroe mentioned.
“Alcaraz has a number of strain now as a result of he is simply such an unbelievable breath of recent air. He is so electrical, the best way he performs, he is obtained such a terrific character that folks need him to win.
“However you then obtained to again it up. He is 20-years-old, however he simply looks as if such a terrific ambassador for our sport that you simply’re kind of pulling for him.”
