PREVIEW | ROLAND GARROS 2022
Nadal and Djokovic set to battle for men’s title while Swiatek is favourite for women’s
For the first time since 2019, we can look forward to a French Open tournament in its usual slot and packed with spectators.
Nine of the ATP's top 10 will be in action with Matteo Berrettini absent as he recovers from right hand surgery in March. 2016 finalist Andy Murray will not be in Paris as he prepares for the grass court swing while 2009 champion Roger Federer's return is some way off.
On the women's side, all of the top 10 are in action with 2021 finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and the Williams Sisters the most notable absentees.
This year, players will share a prize fund worth €43.6 million with each singles champion set to receive a cheque for €2.2 million.
While there are a handful of men who have legitimate designs on the Coupe des Mousquetaires, only one woman looks likely to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen in a fortnight's time.
Let's dig into the draws.
Men's Draw
Familiar foes headline the men's tournament as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic hope to add to their respective career grand slam hauls of 21 and 20. The surging Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz may also have something to say about the destination of the title given his extraordinary form this season.
Novak Djokovic
The defending champion and world no.1 is slight favourite going into Paris given his recent return to form and Nadal's injury concerns.
Set to turn 35 tomorrow, Djokovic has enjoyed deep runs on the clay in Belgrade and Madrid before he captured a sixth Italian Open in Rome.
The Serb is aiming to match Nadal on 21 career majors and earn a third Roland Garros title. The latter achievement would tie him with Ivan Lendl, Mats Wilander and Gustavo Kuerten.
While there are potentially tricky obstacles like Jensen Brooksby and Diego Schwartzman early on, you feel that the entire tournament could hinge on a quarter-final showdown with Nadal.
The pair have clashed nine times before at Roland Garros with the victor eventually lifting the trophy in eight of those years.
Rafael Nadal
When fit and firing, there's no one better in the Bois de Boulogne since 2005. The question is: will Nadal's chronic foot injury survive the fortnight?
The 35-year-old was formidable over the first three months of the year and secured the 21st major of his career in Melbourne. Since March though, Nadal has been largely absent from the tour due to injury.
The Spaniard suffered a rib stress fracture at Indian Wells and only returned from that issue in Madrid. Then in Rome, a chronic foot problem flared up and he painfully limped to defeat against Denis Shapovalov.
While the prognosis seems bleak for his Roland Garros hopes, practice sessions have looked promising according to many including Alexander Zverev.
While eyes will focus on that potential last eight meeting with Djokovic, Nadal will need that foot in good working order before then. The 13-time winner may have to navigate through 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka in the second round and then Fabio Fognini in the third.
Carlos Alcaraz
Of the five players in the Roland Garros draw who've either won or made the final of the tournament before, four of them (Nadal, Djokovic, Wawrinka & Thiem) are in the top half. Throw in this 19-year-old sensation and the top half reaches supernova.
The Spaniard's season has been mighty with four titles secured in Rio, Miami, Barcelona and Madrid. He has solidified a place in the world's top 10 and he may hold that for quite some time.
Alcaraz will hope to significantly improve on his career best third round finish last year. He skipped Rome to prepare for Paris so should be fresh from the off.
The Spaniard is projected to face Nadal or Djokovic in the last four but there is certainly work to be done before then. Alcaraz could meet Cam Norrie or former finalist Thiem in the fourth round, and then Alexander Zverev in the quarters.
Other Contenders
With the top half so loaded with experience on this stage, it inevitably means that there is great opportunity for those in the bottom section.
While the 64 players in the top half have claimed 45 career majors between them, the bottom half combined has two (Daniil Medvedev & Marin Cilic).
Daniil Medvedev is second seed here but given it's clay and he's just back from injury, a run to the business end seems unlikely.
Miomir Kecmanovic, one of the best players this year, could be a banana peel for the Russian in the third round. Andrey Rublev, Jannik Sinner and Pablo Carreno Busta will hope to come through the bottom quarter at Medvedev's expense.
I think the bottom half will primarily be about two men: 2021 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud. They are scheduled to meet in the last eight and that clash may uncover the finalist.
Women's Draw
While it's often difficult to predict the outcome of the major women's draws, we're highly unlikely to see the same names from 2021 in contention this time around.
This is the first tournament back for defending champion Barbora Krejcikova. The Czech hasn't played a match since February due to an elbow injury. Last year's finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is out for the season with a knee problem while 2021 semi-finalist Tamara Zidansek has struggled to a 6-7 record this year.
As I write, there's only one lady expected to be victorious after the fortnight.
Iga Swiatek
The Pole has firmly replaced the Ash Barty-sized hole at the game's summit and comes to Paris on an outrageous 28-match winning streak.
A champion here back in 2020, Swiatek has been untouchable for much of this season with five titles already in the bank including two on clay (Stuttgart & Rome).
While many expect a procession to the final, the 20-year-old's path could be kinder.
Swiatek's fourth round opponent could potentially be one of two former champions in Simona Halep or Jelena Ostapenko. A possible quarter-final clash with Jessie Pegula would also be tricky under normal circumstances.
However, it really depends on Iga. If she hits the blistering level of Roland Garros 2020 or those recent finals, no one will stop her.
Other Contenders
Ons Jabeur has often been a mercurial talent. In recent times though, the Tunisian has become more consistent and is currently in a rich vein of form.
The 26-year-old is at a career high no.6 on the WTA rankings thanks to a superb 25-8 record in 2022. She has been particularly excellent on clay with deep runs at Charleston (final), Stuttgart (quarters), Madrid (champion) and Rome (final).
On form, Jabeur is best placed to win here if Swiatek slips up.
Paula Badosa and Maria Sakkari have both pushed into the WTA's top five thanks to strong starts to the year. However, neither player is in excellent form coming into Paris so it will be interesting to see how they fare.
2018 champion Simona Halep has done it before and under the guidance of Patrick Mouratoglu, looks somewhat back to her best. The Romanian is 19-6 this season and would clearly love to derail Swiatek's title hopes in the fourth round.
Crosscourt View favourite Daria Kasatkina is another player back in form. The Russian has returned to the top 20 after an impressive semi-final run in Rome.
Beyond those mentioned, Jessie Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka and Jil Teichmann are among many players who could catch fire over the fortnight and disrupt the field.
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