the succession of King Nadal at Roland-Garros is open

2023-05-28 06:30:00

They are several to be able to claim the title this year, with the absence of the master of clay. How to usher in a new era?

By Adrian Mathieu

Alcaraz and Djokovic could face each other in the semi-finals of this 2023 edition.
© Laurent Lairys/DPPI via AFP

Published on 05/28/2023 at 06:30

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Cn Sunday, Porte d’Auteuil opens one of the most undecided fortnights in recent years. After having won 14 times Roland-Garros over the last 18 editions, Rafael Nadal had to give up appearing on Parisian clay this year because of a body that gives him no respite.

The opportunity for some to take advantage of this absence, and more generally of a new era which will open, since the Spaniard has announced that 2024 will be his last year on the professional circuit. Between Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz and outsiders Holger Rune, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas, the games are open.

“It will put a little more pressure on them”

Florent Serra, a former professional player now a consultant for RMC, explains to Point that the absence of Nadal necessarily reshuffles the cards on this edition. “Inevitably, the headliners are rather reassured that he is not there. But even if Rafa had been there this year, I wouldn’t have put him among the favourites. Make no mistake, he is 37 years old with pain everywhere. It’s no longer the player who walks over everyone without losing a set. It leaves room for others, while putting a little more pressure on them. »

And among the expected favorites, it’s hard not to think of Novak Djokovic. If successful on June 11, the Serb would become the most successful player of all time in a grand slam. It remains to be seen in what physical condition he will be to start his fortnight. “He hasn’t played a lot since the start of the season after his victory in Australia. He played four tournaments with mixed performances, but I saw a good reaction from him in Rome, when he was trailing against Rune. He needs to play more relaxed. The first week will coincide with his rise to power, if he gains confidence, then he will be formidable, ”analyzes Florent Serra.

Regarding world number one Carlos Alcaraz, the challenge will be daunting. The Spaniard, announced heir to Nadal, must do better than last year when he failed in the quarter-finals against Alexander Zverev. The pressure related to his new status, but above all physical glitches had disturbed him. However, his successes in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona and Madrid served as a reminder of just how mature the 20-year-old is now. Being in the same part of the table as Djokovic, with a possible confrontation in the semi-finals, Alcaraz will have to manage physically during the first rounds so as not to leave feathers there.

Medvedev now comfortable on earth

In the midst of this titanic clash, Daniil Medvedev could take advantage. Little inclined until then to play on clay, the Russian ended up giving himself the means to obtain results on this surface. His recent success in Rome shows his meteoric progress in this direction. “His game can adapt very well to the clay,” says Florent Serra. We see that at the level of his movements, his intentions, his variations of rhythm, he takes a liking to it. He is not going to send lifts everywhere, but his tactical intelligence means that he manages to get out of it very well. I saw him having fun in Rome. Daniil is in the first car of the favorites, he can continue without problem in Paris. »

For those who haven’t yet achieved grand slam success, we’re going to have to catch the bandwagon. Quarter-finalist last year and winner of the Masters 1000 at Bercy, Holger Rune has what it takes to be the ideal outsider. Less overexcited and exuberant than when he started out, the young Dane has better control of his emotions. For his part, Stefanos Tsitsipas can also claim this crown, but the Greek must always manage overexcited parents in the stands during his matches.

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And the French in all this? It is difficult to hope for a notable performance with a pool that is gradually regenerating. “We can count on Ugo Humbert who has continued to work”, underlines Florent Serra, who hopes to see the French number one arrive in the second week. “His victories at the challengers of Cagliari and Bordeaux, with great physical fights, give him momentum. He can have the game to pick up Rublev in the third round. For the youngest, the big board is very different from the juniors. Arthur Fils is expressive enough to reach the public with him, Luca Van Assche also has to play with that, even if on earth he still has a lot of work to do. »