Best of the rest: Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev among dark horses for French Open
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Germany's Alexander Zverev (left) with Russia's Andrey Rublev at the 2023 ATP Finals. The duo form a quartet of dark horses who could win the French Open title.
PHOTO: REUTERS
PARIS – Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have won the last eight French Open titles but with the ageing Grand Slam champions nowhere near their best this season, a new champion could be crowned.
Nadal, a 14-time winner at Roland Garros, has been beset by injuries in his final campaign on tour while world No. 1 Djokovic has failed to reach a final in 2024.
Meanwhile, young Grand Slam champions like Carlos Alcaraz, 21, and Jannik Sinner, 22, are also nursing injuries. That has opened the door for the likes of Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud to step up and open their Grand Slam account.
Zverev has not had it easy since he injured his ankle in the 2022 French Open semi-final against Nadal and underwent surgery, but the 27-year-old has peaked at the right time, winning his sixth Masters title at the Italian Open on May 19.
He will, however, have to get past Nadal in the first round and should that happen, the German world No. 4 would have a good chance to go all the way and break his last-four curse.
“Obviously being there (at Roland Garros) three times in the semi-finals in a row, (I was) playing some of the best tennis of my life there when I injured my ankle,” Zverev said.
“So in general it is always marked in my calendar throughout the past few years. This year there’s no exception. That’s the one that I want to win. I’m going to do everything I can this year and we’ll see where I can end up.”
Rublev overcame the odds and battled through a suspected virus and an anaesthetised foot to win the Madrid Open before returning to the hospital to make a full recovery. The 26-year-old Russian has fallen at the quarter-final hurdle at every Grand Slam but has two titles under his belt this season – including the Hong Kong Open in January – to give him a boost.
“For me was just to keep working, to keep trying to improve because the season is long and we have too many opportunities, so in one moment I will have a chance,” he said.
“As soon as I will have a chance, I will need to use it because this week will change everything.”
Tsitsipas warmed up for Roland Garros by winning his third Monte Carlo Masters title in four years in April, a welcome trophy for the Greek who had won just one ATP 250 title since June 2022.
“I’ve come up with some incredible tennis,” the 25-year-old said after beating Sinner and Ruud in the semi-finals and final. “It’s definitely a sign that my tennis is progressing and I’m able to push those players.”
Ruud, also 25, exacted revenge at the very next tournament in Barcelona, where he beat Tsitsipas in straight sets in the final. The Norwegian hopes it is third-time lucky at Roland Garros after losing the last two finals to Nadal and Djokovic.
“Zverev may be the one with the most confidence since he won in Rome,” he said.
“But I also have had very good results at the beginning of the clay season and hopefully I can find back my best form and bring it to Paris.” REUTERS
