Pre-gaming the French Open

[Moxie]

I figured it was time to accumulate some of our thoughts about the upcoming next Major here. This is partially self-interested, as I do the draw challenge, but several others do, too. We've been talking about it here and there on the ATP General News thread, but time to consolidate information.

The top contenders are Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic, Zverev, Tsitsipas, Ruud, Rune and Draper, according to latest odds. I think we can all see why the top seeds have some bit of compromise, or caveat. Alcaraz is still the best bet, if he's healthy. Sinner is a bit of an unknown, coming back from the ban. Djokovic is a bigger unknown than he was, since he dropped out of Rome, and one wonders if he'll even play RG? Zverev and Tsitsipas have not solidified anyone's confidence.

So this Roland Garros will be rather more open. I'm curious about people's dark horses and especially spoilers. Is Musetti or Cerúndolo a dark horse? Fonseca must be a potential spoiler. Arnaldi? Baez? Comesana?

Thoughts? I know there is still Rome to play, but it's not too soon to talk about the French Open.

 

[Moxie]

Margaret just posted this on the ATP News thread:

The final of the Estoril Open,
Amercian Michelson d Q Pellegrino 64 64
Borna Coric winning Aix-en-Provence defeating Wawrinka 67 63 76

I was wondering if Stan will have to qualify for RG, or if he'll get a WC, but he's still keeping hope alive. Dangerous to someone first round? I think all of the others or likely to have to qualify, too?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Margaret just posted this on the ATP News thread:

The final of the Estoril Open,
Amercian Michelson d Q Pellegrino 64 64
Borna Coric winning Aix-en-Provence defeating Wawrinka 67 63 76

I was wondering if Stan will have to qualify for RG, or if he'll get a WC, but he's still keeping hope alive. Dangerous to someone first round? I think all of the others or likely to have to qualify, too?

Well you would think that Stan winning RG would get a wild card, also remember too Gasquet will retire at this years RG., he will also received a wild card

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

If Sinner comes back and is anywhere near his level pre-ban, he will probably win the French Open. If he doesn't, then this slam is wide open because quite honestly, I don't have any confidence in anyone else right now. For all I know, it could be someone completely off the grid that no one is thinking of, like a Nuno Borges, that wins the French Open. Not likely, but we're well overdue for one, as it's been 21 years since someone completely off the grid won a slam, when Gaston Gaudio won the 2004 French Open.

 

[Fiero425]

Have they fired Amelie Mauresmo as Tourn. Dir. of the French Open? WTF was on her mind last yr. putting Djokovic on court in the middle of the night? He often finished after 3-4 AM! It contributed to his knee injury that went along w/ a concussion he got due to some schmuck dropping a heavy water-bottle onto his head at the Italian Open!

 

[El Dude]

My order would be:

1. Alcaraz
2. Sinner
3. Draper
4. Zverev
5. Ruud
6. Rune
7. Djokovic
8. Mensik

This could change depending upon Rome - especially how Sinner looks, and to see if Carlos is fully healthy. Outside of the Duopoly, Draper seems the best bet for a surprise. After seeing the third set of Madrid, I wonder if he's reading to win seven best-of-fives on clay, but he also seems to have the hottest racket right now - and the quality of "I have arrived!"

For Sascha, this may be the most important Slam of his career. If there's a time to win Roland Garros, it is now - with all the questions. If he doesn't win it, I wonder if he'll recover.

Ruud looks good, but really seems to be a guy who can only win by default - that is, if he gets a lucky draw and/or his final opponent slips up or gets hurt. He's got that Ferrer vibe of having a ceiling a bit below the very top players. Rune...I want to believe, but not sure I do. Tsitsipas...I mean, come on. Thus my putting Mensik as my #8. Dude is a dangerous player, though I don't think he's quite ready for a Slam title. Still, he's going to be a guy no one wants to face at Wimbledon.

I'm imagining Novak meditating on the Serbian "Pyramid of the Sun," trying to re-capture the desire to win. Not sure he has it anymore.

For Fonzie, I'm just hoping he takes it one round further and reaches R32. Let us not forget that this is is only his second Slam. Baby steps.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I am not expecting a lot from Sinner at Rome, if he matches his SF of last year I will be happy
He is also entered Hamburg, he said in his press conference his goal is to be in form by RG.
I cant put Djokovic as a contender this year's RG he hasnt got his 'clay legs' and withdrawing from Rome, and not entering a tournament before RG is not the way to be in form for RG.
Alcaraz is my top pick
Draper, though my concern with him is his physical ability in a 5 set match on clay, we saw yesterday in the final at Madrid, he was struggling physically in the latter stages of a 3 set match, he is not a 'natural clay courter' and he was exposed by Ruud the seasonal clay court player
Ruud has got his confidence back, after finally winning a Masters 1000 on a hard court surface like Madrid, lets see how he handles Rome, though I have to put in him as a hope at RG
Zverev is the defending champion at Rome, before I say anything about his chances at RG I want to see his form at Rome first
Tsitsipas is off with the fairies
Rune I have a question mark, for such a young player he does have the physio out in his matches a lot, or retires in matches, I feel he needs to get in that gym and get more strength training, his game does suit clay, lets see how he goes in Rome,
Musetti could be a dangerous player, though his head sad to say still gets in the way of him winning matches
Cerundolo again could be a dangerous player, he joins Musetti as a player that his head gets in the way of winning matches
Mensik I feel the court surface of Madrid, playing like a Hard Court suits his game, I want to see how he handles the pure clay at Rome