Alcaraz joins Djokovic, Nadal in battle on big stage

Record champion Rafael Nadal is locked in a Grand Slam battle with world No 1 Novak Djokovic going into the French Open but both could end up being upstaged by teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz.

Nadal, a 13-time title-winner on the Parisian red clay, is far from his unstoppable best as he nurses a chronic foot injury that flared up again in the build-up to Roland Garros. The Australian Open champion suffered early exits in Madrid and Rome with his most recent tournament win back in February.

Counting out the wounded 35-year-old Spaniard, however, comes with a risk warning as his comeback win from two sets down over Russia’s Daniil Medvedev at this year’s Australian Open final proved.

Nadal’s astounding triumph meant he became the first male player to reach 21 Grand Slam titles, pulling ahead of Roger Federer and Djokovic.

DESPERATE TO WIN

Djokovic, who missed the Australian Open after his refusal to be vaccinated for Covid-19 and his subsequent deportation, is desperate to win in Paris and pull level with Nadal’s Major haul. The Serb, who also turns 35 later this week, appears to be back on track after his turbulent start to the year, clinching the title in Rome last week with a straight sets win over Greek world No 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Djokovic is also no stranger to comebacks on the big stage, winning the title in Paris in 2021 after battling from two sets down to outlast Tsitsipas. The Greek, who thrives on this surface having won his past three titles on clay, has long been tipped as a Grand Slam winner and came close last year.

STORMS UP RANKINGS

But he will be looking over his shoulder at the 19-year-old Alcaraz who looks set to jump the queue. The teenager has taken the tennis world by storm this year with four titles, including in Miami and Madrid, and will arrive in Paris established as one of the title favourites.

The big-smiling Spaniard, a qualifier only 12 months ago, may look stunned by his progress but shows no signs of slowing down as he storms up the world rankings.

“Yes, I am ready to win a Grand Slam and to go for it,” the world No 6 said, who beat both Nadal and Djokovic en route to the Madrid title earlier in May. “It is a goal for me this year, to try to get my first Grand Slam. Let’s see what is going to happen at Roland Garros.”

Tennis great Martina Navratilova said Iga Swiatek has embraced the pressure that comes with being world No1 and will go into the French Open as the overwhelming favourite to clinch a second Major title.

After replacing Ash Barty at the top of the world rankings, Swiatek has seemingly revelled in her status as the top women's player. The 20-year-old Pole won her maiden Grand Slam title on Roland Garros' red clay in 2020 and has arrived in Paris having won five consecutive titles, including four WTA 1000 events, and 28 straight matches.

“You can’t be any hotter than she is right now,” 18-times Grand Slam winner Navratilova said. “She’s playing great and she’s healthy – that’s a fantastic combination. She’s fresh and battle-tough at the same time.

“She looks pretty unbeatable on any surface, particularly the clay now.”