Roland Garros will salute its undisputed king Sunday with a particular ceremony for Rafael Nadal, the retired Spanish icon who redefined dominance on clay.
Nadal, who known as time on his profession final November, returns to Court Philippe Chatrier a 12 months after a first-round exit to Alexander Zverev marked his last French Open look.
The 14-time champion amassed a jaw-dropping 112-4 report in Paris – a legacy that started along with his debut title run in 2005 and turned the purple clay into his private kingdom.
While Nadal prepares to take a last bow, Aryna Sabalenka opened her French Open marketing campaign in ruthless trend, powering by her first-round match to sign her title intentions.
Nadal hung up his racket following the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, initially denying him a chance to wave goodbye to his adoring followers in Paris.
His tally of 14 titles at a single Grand Slam seems unlikely to be overwhelmed, with Margaret Court’s 11 Australian Open championships second on the all-time record.
Former rivals Roger Federer and Andy Murray are anticipated to attend Nadal’s ceremony, together with Novak Djokovic – contemporary off his one centesimal ATP title in Geneva.
Nadal’s inheritor obvious, Carlos Alcaraz, will begin his title protection subsequent week as a slight favourite to change into the primary man to raise the Coupe des Mousquetaires since his compatriot’s retirement.
Victory over world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in final weekend’s Italian Open last earned Alcaraz the No. 2 seeding at Roland Garros.
That raises the opportunity of the world’s high two gamers assembly in a Grand Slam last for the primary time on June 8.
“I think for the people, for the tennis fans, it’s great to have a match-up between some players that make them excited about watching,” Alcaraz mentioned at his pre-tournament news convention about his budding rivalry with Sinner.
“I think for the people – and probably even those who don’t like watching tennis – this kind of rivalry gets them to start watching.”
Djokovic will launch his bid for a record-breaking twenty fifth Grand Slam title towards American Mackenzie McDonald on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old turned simply the third man to succeed in 100 profession event victories – after Jimmy Connors and Federer – by defeating Hubert Hurkacz in a three-hour epic in Switzerland on Saturday.
But questions stay about Djokovic’s kind after opening-match losses in each Monte Carlo and Madrid to Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi, respectively.
The Serb faces a tricky draw, with final 12 months’s runner-up, Zverev, a possible quarterfinal opponent and Sinner presumably ready within the semifinals.
Sabalenka, Zheng energy by openers
Women’s world No. 1 Sabalenka wanted simply an hour to brush apart Russian Kamilla Rakhimova on the event’s opening day.
The Belarusian kicked off the schedule beneath the roof on Court Philippe Chatrier with a ruthless 6-1, 6-0 win – a commanding begin to her bid for a primary French Open crown.
Sabalenka has by no means reached the ultimate in Paris, however with three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek struggling, the event seems extra open than lately.
The Pole has slipped to No. 5 within the rankings and has not reached a WTA last since lifting her fourth French Open trophy final 12 months.
Sabalenka believes she is as effectively positioned as ever to take benefit.
“I really feel I can do really good here,” mentioned Sabalenka, who hit 30 winners previous Rakhimova in a one-sided contest. “Super happy with the level.”
China’s Zheng Qinwen, who gained Olympic gold final 12 months at Roland Garros, overcame a tough first-round take a look at by beating former finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-3.
“I will carry the gold-medal mentality throughout the tournament,” mentioned Zheng, the No. 8 seed.
Elina Svitolina opened play on Court Suzanne Lenglen with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez, as scattered showers briefly interrupted motion on the outer courts earlier than clearing.
Italian Open champion Jasmine Paolini, who was outclassed by Swiatek within the 2024 last, faces Yuan Yue.
Men’s No. 8 seed Lorenzo Musetti, who has reached at the very least the semifinals in any respect three clay-court Masters occasions this 12 months, takes on Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann.
Source: www.dailysabah.com