The tournament started on May 23, a week earlier if you count the qualifiers. But this May 31 is the day that everyone has been waiting for since the opening of the tournament, because if the serious things have already started, we are really getting into the heart of the matter with the holding of the first quarter-finals, this Tuesday. On the menu, there is heavy, very very heavy. There is even a legends match.
Djokovic – Nadal, act 59
When two of the greatest champions in the history of sport and not just tennis are face to face, it is bound to be a match not to be missed. Provided you can receive Prime Video, subscriber or not. Even if it is not necessary to pay a subscription for this match, it is the essential condition to be able to admire the 59th opposition between the Serbian Novak Djokovic, world number 1 and Rafael Nadal (n ° 5), 13 times winner here. The match is scheduled in the evening, from 8:45 p.m., on the streaming platform which offers 15 million euros per edition to the tournament.
This questionable choice has a sporting consequence: neither player really likes to play at night. Nadal even less than Djokovic: “I don’t like night sessions, I’ve already said that. I don’t like playing on clay at night. There is higher humidity. The ball is slower and the conditions can be very heavy when it’s cold. I think it makes a big difference to play tennis during the day or at night on clay,” says the Spaniard.
This is the 59th time these two have met and the Serb leads 30-28. He won the last opposition, right here in the semi-finals of the 2021 tournament (3/6, 6/3, 7/6 , 6/2): “I haven’t had a test recently against him, because our last match dates back, I believe, to last year here, resumes Nadal. I haven’t played this kind of match in the last three months, so it will be a big challenge for me. I still went through a difficult period with my foot, so I don’t know what can happen in the near future with my career. “It’s a huge challenge and probably the biggest we can have here at Roland Garros,” insists the world number 1.
Zverev – Alcaraz, duel of giants
In the absence of legends of the sport that they may be later, another quarter-final of giants is on the program. As an aperitif of Djokovic – Nadal and as a consolation for the viewers of France Television, the German Alexander Zverev world number 3 challenges the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, number 6 at the ATP. If it is debated, the choice to play Nadal – Djokovic in the evening suits the Spanish prodigy well: “I’m not saying that it bothers me to play in the evening, but obviously I have less recovery time, if I finish very late all the time. When you finish at midnight, with everything behind it, dinner, the physio, trying to come down in terms of adrenaline, it’s more difficult to recover, ”he explained. Alcaraz will start this quarter-final favorite against Zverev who has rarely seemed comfortable since the start of the fortnight.
The old people greet you well
Legends, there will be others on the courts: the legends trophy bringing together the former great players of this game takes place from this Tuesday. This is an opportunity to see Martina Navratilova, Lindsay Davenport, Gabriela Sabatini play doubles and in good humor and for men Mats Wilander who triumphed here for the first time 40 years ago, Goran Ivanisevic, Cédric Pioline and a few others.
The program (from 12 p.m.)
Court Philippe-Chatrier. Martina Trevisan (Ita) – Leylah Fernandez (Series Can./tête 17) ; Coco Gauff (USA/18) – Sloane Stephens (USA); Alexander Zverev (All./3) – Carlos Alcaraz (Sp/6) ; (Pas avant 20h45) Novak Djokovic (Ser./1) – Rafael Nadal (Sp./5)