3 minute read
How the leading men's French Open contenders shape up ahead of the Paris grand slam.
HOW THE LEADING MEN SHAPE UP FOR THE FRENCH OPEN STARTING ON SUNDAY:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)
Age: 34
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US147,996,384
Career titles: 82
Grand slam titles: 18 (Australian Open 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021; French Open 2016; Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019; US Open 2011, 2015, 2018)
French Open win-loss record: 74-15
Best French Open results: champion 2016; runner-up 2012, 2014, 2015, 2020
The former champion and four-times runner-up once again shapes as Rafael Nadal's greatest threat but the world No.1 received another reminder of how tough the mighty Spaniard is on clay with defeat to his great rival in Rome.
RAFAEL NADAL (ESP)
Age: 34
Ranking: 3
Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US124,480,032
Career titles: 88
Grand slam titles: 20 (Australian Open 2009; French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; US Open 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019)
French Open win-loss record: 100-2
Best French Open results: champion 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Despite losses to Andrey Rublev and Alexander Zverev in Monte Carlo and Madrid, it would take a brave punter to bet against the claycourt colossus from capturing a mind-boggling 14th Roland Garros title.
DOMINIC THIEM (AUT)
Age: 27
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US28,759,827
Career titles: 17
Grand slam titles: 1 (US Open 2020)
French Open win-loss record: 28-7
Best French Open results: runner-up 2018, 2019
A class act but the two-time finalist and four-time semi-finalist has seemingly lost his mojo of late, falling to Lorenzo Sonego and Cameron Norrie in his past two events and failing to win a title in 2021.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS (GRE)
Age: 22
Ranking: 5
Plays: right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US14,136,302
Career titles: 5
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss record: 9-4
Best French Open result: semi-finals 2020
The Greek superstar enjoyed an impressive build-up, winning the title in Lyon after making three finals during the claycourt swing and pushing Nadal to three sets in Rome. Likely to meet Thiem in the semi-finals in an inviting draw.
ALEXANDER ZVEREV (GER)
Age: 24
Ranking: 6
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US24,464,405
Career titles: 15
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss record: 13-5
Best French Open results: quarter-finals 2018, 2019
Anyone who can topple Nadal in Madrid, as the German did last month on the way to hoisting the trophy, can't be dismissed. Also seeded in the bottom section of the draw on the opposite side to the big three.
ANDREY RUBLEV (RUS)
Age: 23
Ranking: 7
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US8,199,464
Career titles: 8
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss record: 4-2
Best French Open results: quarter-finals 2020
Enjoyed a run to the Monte Carlo Masters final and made the last eight in Rome and Barcelona and has shown the capacity to upset more accomplished opponents on clay.
BEST OUTSIDER
ROGER FEDERER (SUI)
Age: 39
Ranking: 8
Plays: right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US129,992,673
Career titles: 103
Grand slam titles: 20 (Australian Open 2004, 2006-07, 2010, 2017-18; French Open 2009; Wimbledon 2003-07, 2009, 2012, 2017; US Open 2004-2008)
French Open win-loss record: 70-17
Best French Open results: champion 2009; runner-up 20006, 2007, 2008, 2011
The odds are stacked against him but the five-time finalist did roll up to Roland Garros for the first time in four years to make the semi-finals on his last visit and has the claycourt prowess to again go deep.
