The tennis season’s second Grand Slam is upon us. It’s the French Open, and it should be fun because – for once – there is no massive favorite (or even massive favorites, plural) in the men’s field. Rafael Nadal’s reign in Paris has seemingly ended, Novak Djokovic’s 2024 campaign has been a disappointment, and both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have been dealing with injuries.
Who will emerge from the scrum and lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires at the end of the fortnight? Let's review the best bets to be made on the men’s side at Roland Garros before play gets underway on Sunday.
- NOVAK DJOKOVIC
- ALEXANDER ZVEREV
- STEFANOS TSITSIPAS
- DANIIL MEDVEDEV
- ANDREY RUBLEV
Count Out Djokovic At Your Peril
Djokovic has not yet won a title in 2024; he hasn’t even reached a final. Nonetheless, there is no cause for serious concern. At the beginning of the season, the 37-year-old Serb pretty much said that at this point in his career, nothing matters other than the four majors (and the Olympics). So far, he has been playing like what he said is true.
Djokovic advanced to the semifinals of the Australian Open before losing to an on-fire Sinner. Aside from that result, he has suffered terrible losses in Miami (to Luca Nardi) and Rome (to Alejandro Tabilo), in addition to a Monte-Carlo semifinal setback at the hands of Casper Ruud.
Now that another Grand Slam has arrived, Djokovic should return – or at least be close to – his best. The world No. 1 has won 24 slams throughout his illustrious career, including the French Open on three occasions. Another one is well within the realm of possibility, especially since Sinner and Alcaraz are heading into this tournament as question marks. Even if he is no longer in the prime of his career, Djokovic has a great chance to capitalise in Paris.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC TO WIN THE FRENCH OPEN
Tsitsipas Seeking First Slam
Is Stefanos Tsitsipas ever going to win a major? If so, the time could be now. Clay has always been the Greek’s best surface; unsurprisingly, his best-ever slam result has come at the French Open.
In fact, at the 2021 event, he came within one set of the title while leading Djokovic two sets to love in the final. However, Tsitsipas could not seal the deal; Djokovic stormed back to triumph 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. There is no reason why the world No. 9 can’t get over the hump at this year’s edition. He has been in spectacular form this spring, with a title in Monte-Carlo, a runner-up performance in Barcelona and a semifinal showing in Rome.
The French Open draw could set up well for Tsitsipas. He finds himself in the same half as Sinner and Alcaraz, but – as mentioned above – it’s hard to know what to expect right now from those two stars of both the present and the future. If Sinner and Alcaraz are less than 100 percent, Tsitsipas has a real shot to make a return trip to the French Open final and potentially go all the way.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS TO WIN THE FRENCH OPEN
Can Medvedev Finally Master Clay?
Don’t sleep on Daniil Medvedev. Everyone seems to be doing it, as current tennis headlines have been dominated – for better or worse – by Djokovic, Sinner, Alcaraz, Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev. However, Medvedev shouldn't be written off.
The 28-year-old Russian is a Grand Slam champion (2021 U.S. Open) and has finished runner-up at slams on five other occasions (three times at the Australian Open and twice at the U.S. Open). Although clay is his worst surface by his own admission, he won the Rome Masters last season and reached the French Open quarterfinals in 2021.
Medvedev could be set up for success this coming fortnight. The world No. 5 recently advanced to the quarterfinals in Madrid, so he has built up some clay-court confidence. Moreover, his draw at Roland Garros appears to be favorable. He would not face Djokovic until the semifinals and either Sinner or Alcaraz until the final.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV TO WIN THE FRENCH OPEN
Zverev Draws Nadal In First Round
Get your popcorn ready for the very first round of the 2024 French Open. The marquee matchup is Zverev vs. Rafael Nadal in a rematch of the 2022 Roland Garros semis, in which they played two incredible sets of tennis before Zverev was forced to retire with a terrible ankle injury.
They have not faced each other since then, leaving the head-to-head series at 7-3 in Nadal’s favor. Of course, at 37 years old, the 14-time French Open champion is a shadow of his former self. With Nadal not close to 100 percent as he returns from a hip problem, Zverev is a huge favorite in this first-round showdown.
Assuming the world No. 4 advances past Nadal, he could be off to the races. Zverev is riding high on the heels of his recent triumph at the Rome Masters, and he has reached the Roland Garros semifinals three straight times to go along with two other quarterfinal performances in Paris. Aside from his first-round draw, there is nothing not to like about Zverev’s chances.
ALEXANDER ZVEREV TO WIN THE FRENCH OPEN
Rublev To End Slam Quarter Futility
Before thinking about the title, Rublev has to get past a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time in his career. That’s right; the 26-year-old – despite a myriad of other accomplishments – has never been to the semis of a slam. He is a hard-to-believe 0-10 lifetime in major quarterfinals. Needless to say, that is an all-time record.
Still, it’s not as if Rublev is hopeless on the biggest stages in tennis. After all, advancing to 10 major quarterfinals is quite a feat in itself. If the Russian keeps knocking on the door, at some point you have to think he is going to break through it. That breakthrough could come now.
Rublev just recently captured his second-ever Masters 1000 title in Madrid, where he upset Alcaraz in the quarters. The world No. 6 has a tough draw on his hands, with Tsitsipas possibly looming in the fourth round, but whoever wins that potential matchup would cement his status as a title contender.
ANDREY RUBLEV TO WIN THE FRENCH OPEN
