World primary Novak Djokovic is the principle attraction at Roland Garros on Tuesday, when he begins his French Open title protection towards Pierre-Hugues Herbert, however after final yr’s dominance, there are much less expectations this yr.
The Frenchman’s wild card entry ought to present the 24-time Grand Slam champion with little greater than good coaching earlier than he faces his more durable opponent, however after their unfortunate loss to Luca Nardi in Indian Wells, Djokovic won’t take it calmly.
In addition to the French Open, Serbia gained the Australian Open and the US Open final yr, and in addition reached the Wimbledon remaining, and 2023 began with the Adelaide title, however this yr Djokovic failed to succeed in a single remaining.
His performances on clay this season noticed Djokovic out of Monte Carlo and Geneva within the semi-finals, and in Rome they fell within the third spherical, however Paris is their objective.
“I do know precisely what I’ve to do in a Grand Slam or Grand Slam competitors atmosphere, so to talk,” Djokovic informed reporters.
“It is a utterly completely different form of experiment and touring than some other, actually. of the tournaments now we have on the calendar“.
His primary is now below severe menace from Jannik Sinner, who ended Djokovic’s title protection in Australia within the semi-finals, and the 37-year-old will want a big enchancment in Paris to retain his place on the throne.
Herbert is aware of what it is prefer to win at Roland Garros, however his two French Open titles have are available doubles, the place he has a profession Grand Slam. As a singles participant, he has but to get previous the third spherical of the French Open.
The couple has solely had one earlier confrontation, which occurred greater than ten years in the past. On the 2013 Paris Masters, Djokovic’s first opponent was Herbert, and Serbia gained in straight units earlier than successful the title.
After eliminating Rafa Nadal on Monday, followers hope “The Djoker” will handle the present at Roland Garros.
Final yr’s prime seed Casper Ruud can also be in motion, dealing with Brazilian qualifier Felipe Meligeni Alves. Seventh-placed Norway is coming off a straight win in Geneva, the place it performed Saturday’s semi-final and remaining.
“It is calm, calm, “250 is now a smaller occasion, and I can concentrate on all of the apply I wish to do and play video games on the identical time.”mentioned Ruud on his arrival in Paris.
World quantity two Aryna Sabalenka begins her journey to finish Iga Swiatek’s dominance at Roland Garros when she faces Russian Erika Andreeva. Sabalenka, The Australian Open champion, she reached the semi-finals final yr, her greatest efficiency in Paris.
Fourth seed Elena Rybakina will look to place her current well being issues behind her when she takes on Belgium’s Minnen Blessing. The Kazakh withdrew from Indian Wells and missed the Italian Open, and withdrew in Paris final yr earlier than the third spherical.