Checking the favorites for the French Open: “The great opportunity for the new generation”

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His face still adorns the posters around the Roland Garros facility, but the tournament’s record holder is absent this year due to injury. Rafael Nadal (36) not at the French Open? Actually unimaginable. Since his debut in 2005, 36-year-old Mallorquin has been the star attraction of the tournament and has won no less than 14 titles here. “Many fans are of course very disappointed,” says Blick expert Heinz Günthardt (64), “but there are also many players who are happy with significantly greater chances to win in Paris – it’s a great opportunity for them new generation.”

Because: in the absence of Nadal, the field of favorites is huge. Novak Djokovic (36) dreams of the 23rd Grand Slam title, which would make him the sole record holder: “It’s no secret that I want to keep setting records. But I also know that every Grand Slam tournament at my age is a gift for me.” The Serb has been struggling with physical ailments lately and has been teetering on gravel while many youngsters are announcing their ambitions.

First and foremost Carlos Alcaraz (20), who takes part in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time as number one in the world and makes it clear before the start: “Compared to last year, I am more mature. I am even stronger mentally.” In 2022 he was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Alexander Zverev (26), with whom a good series can certainly be expected this year. Just like with Rome winner Daniil Medvedev (27), who suddenly found pleasure in his hated base. Or: “Holger Rune (20), Jannik Sinner (21), Stefanos Tsitsipas (24), Andrey Rublev (25) – they can all do it too. In other words: for the first time in many years we have no idea who could win the French Open,” said Günthardt.

Will Wawrinka stage another coup?

The Swiss men? That has been three since Friday evening, because Dominic Stricker (20) was drawn as a lucky loser – and can now celebrate his main field premiere. Stan Wawrinka (38), winner of Roland Garros in 2015, has flashed several times this spring how much is left in him. Günthardt also says: “I have a lot of confidence in Stan, because he hits the ball as well as ever. Maybe he’s not that fast anymore, but he’s definitely still dangerous.” Marc-Andrea Hüsler (26) needs an exploit after three bankruptcies in a row, and Günthardt encourages him here: “He’s still on the right track . He actually played really well. He just didn’t have the guts.”

Swiatek against the rest of the field

Among the women, the Polish Iga Swiatek starts the competition as the top favorite despite her recent thigh injury. Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka (25) or Jelena Rybakina (23), who triumphed in Rome a week ago, can also count on good chances. After the 2020 and 2022 titles, Swiatek is “almost like a Nadal” in Paris, as Günthardt says. If she looks like she has in recent years, the 21-year-old from Warsaw can “pretty much only beat herself”.

Belinda Bencic (26) still dreams of a big coup at Grand Slam level. The East Swiss is also coming off a thigh injury – and as a result says: “I don’t expect unrealistic things from myself. I just try to get the best out of it.” Meanwhile, the pressure on Jil Teichmann (25), who is in a slump in the sport, is greater: a series of victories in Paris would be a real liberation after a difficult spring. “Her problem is that she is a slow starter. That’s why she has to survive the first two rounds, then she can be extremely dangerous,” said Günthardt.

Waltert and In-Albon in the picture

Like Stricker, 22-year-old Simona Waltert from Graubünden celebrates her debut in the main draw – she fought her way through qualifying with three wins. Just like Ylena In-Albon (24), who had her baptism of fire at Wimbledon last year. Both can now go “all-in” in Roland Garros, as Günthardt reckons: “They showed nerves of steel in qualifying and are now in full swing – I can well imagine it will continue to be so for them now.” Both meet viable opponents in the first round (see box).

Source : Blick