Rolland Garros Preview
The unpredictable nature of 2020 will see French Open start in September and finish in October with cold weather and poor conditions an added challenge to the Grand Slam.
But despite the uncertainty caused by Coronavirus, the French Open will see the return of the world’s best players to Rolland Garros albeit later than billed.
The men’s tournament sees the return of Rafael Nadal who opted out of the US Open a month ago due to health reasons, with the Spaniard targeting a 20th major title which will tie Roger Federer’s record.
Number 1 seed Novak Djokovic will look to erase the disappointment of last month’s US Open in which he was disqualified for accidentally striking a line judge with a ball. Djokovic much like Nadal will be looking to get closer to Federer who is absent from this year’s French Open due to a knee injury.
World number four Roger Federer is the most notable absentee from the tournament with all of the top seeds aiming to topple the remaining two of ‘The Big Three’ Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who have dominated Rolland Garros over the recent years.
A wildcard has also been awarded to Andy Murray who will play in his third Grand Slam in 2020 and his second in Grand Slam in as many months after competing in the US Open.
The women’s tournament will see Serena Williams looking to make history and claim a record equalling 24th Grand Slam title.
The women’s tournament will be very unpredictable and competitive with notable names missing from the women’s draw. Naomi Osaka, who won last month’s US Open is absent with a hamstring injury.
The women’s tournament boasts a strong line-up headed by Simona Halep the number one seed, with Pliskova, Svitolina, Bertens, Williams and Kvitova all amongst the top seeds in the French Open.
Johanna Konta who reached the semi-finals of the French Open in 2019 is Britain’s representative in the Women’s draw who will be looking to replicate her success from the previous year.
The French Open unlike the US Open will have 5000 fans in attendance which will bring a sense of normality to the French Open.
The British Presence
Andy Murray continues his comeback after being awarded a wildcard for the French Open. Murray competed at Flushing Meadows last month and successfully came back from two sets down against Nishioka before being knocked out against Auger Aliassime.
Murray will face off against Stan Wawrinka in the first round at Rolland Garros in his third Grand Slam of the year. This will be Murray’s first game on clay since a five-set loss to his first-round opponent Stan Wawrinka in the semi-finals at Rolland Garros in 2017.
For Murray, it is still a feeling out process in which he is trying to return to full fitness after a long rehabilitation process after hip surgery.
Murray will be joined by Cam Norrie, British number one Dan Evans and Liam Broady who earnt a spot in the main draw after coming through the qualifying process.
British number one Joanna Konta leads the charge of the British women in the tournament as she looks to become the first British women since Sue Barker in 1976 to win a Grand Slam title. Konta will take great confidence from the great run to the semi-finals last year.
Konta is joined by Heather Watson is women’s draw.
Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski will pair up for the first time at Rolland Garros in the doubles. Murray is not the lone Brit in the doubles, Brit Joe Salisbury and partner Rajeev Ram will be aiming to get past the quarter final stage they achieved last season.
The ‘King of Clay’ Returns
Rafa Nadal returns to the tournament where he is most successful player of all time.
The Spaniard who will be looking to capture his 20th Grand Slam title did not compete at Flushing Meadows due to health and travel concerns returns to the Rolland Garros where he has seemed nearly invincible over the two past decades.
Nadal, ranked number two in the world, returned to competitive in last week’s Italian Open for the first time since February. Nadal was knocked out in the quarter finals by Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman.
Nadal’s failure to win the Italian Open will only be the second time since 2005 that the 33-year-old has arrived at the French Open not having won a European title on clay in the clay court season.
Following his loss at the Italian Open, Nadal does not know what to expect at the later than billed French Open. "It's a completely special year and unpredictable year. I did a couple of things well and other things bad.
"At least I played three matches. I'm going to keep working and keep practising with the right attitude and try to give myself a chance to be ready." Nadal said coming into the tournament.
Despite this loss Nadal’s record at Rolland Garros automatically makes him the favourite at the tournament.
Other Contenders
The men’s tournament will see the normal contenders try to topple the established two at Rolland Garros. The US Open winner Dominic Thiem and US Open finalist Alexander Zverev will look to continue their great form that saw them compete for last month’s Grand Slam.
Both Thiem and Zverev have been in great form since the return of tennis after lockdown and will need to play to the best of their ability in order to beat and surpass Djokovic and Nadal at the French Open.
Medvedev and Tsitsipas who are seeded 4 and 5 respectively have the ability to make a run towards the final but will need to win a Grand Slam if they are too solidify themselves at the top of the world rankings.
The women’s draw is intriguing with world number one Naomi Osaka missing the tournament.
It is very open, giving anyone the chance the win the French Open. The top eight seeds in the women’s draw have all bar Kiki Bertens and Aryna Sabalenka have reached and won Grand Slam finals.
With all having the potential to put together a great run of form and win the wide-open women’s draw at the French Open.
