With the French Open getting underway on Sunday, players are making their final preparations ahead of the start of the most prestigious event to take place on the clay.
Once again the usual suspects will be heading into the event as favourites to win. Although 2019 has been far from predictable with a series of different winners each week. On the WTA Tour, Karolina Pliskova, Kiki Bertens and Petra Kvitova has been the only players to have won multiple titles this season. Meanwhile, five players have achieved the accolade on the men’s tour. Including Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
With a grand slam title at stake, some are wondering if more surprises will be in store. Especially in the women’s draw with many still inspired by Jelena Ostapenko’s shock run to the title back in 2017.
Maybe the best indicator is to get the opinion of those who have been involved in the sport for the majority of their lives. Here is who some former players and coaches have backed to win the title this year.
Justine Henin
Former Belgian player Justine Henin knows what it takes to win the Roland Garros title. During her career, she won the tournament four times and was undefeated between 2005-2007. In the Open Era only Steffi Graf (six) and Chris Evert (seven) have won the women’s French Open title more times.
Henin’s pick for the women’s title this year is reigning champion Simona Halep. The Romanian has featured in the Paris final three times since 2014 and it is currently the only grand slam where she has won 20 or more main draw matches. Her current win-loss record stands at 24-8.
“It is going to be a very interesting tournament. I think Simona Halep is going to be the favourite. I like her game, I like how she plays on clay because on clay you need to be a complete player, both physically and mentally,” Henin told the Indo-Asian news service on May 1st.
“Every grand slam, you get one or two surprises. So, I am expecting that also to happen,” she added.
During a recent interview with Digi Sport TV, Halep has dismissed the idea that she feels under pressure to perform at the French Open. Since winning her maiden major title 12 months ago, she has only won one additional trophy on the WTA Tour. Doing so at the Canadian Open last summer.
“I have no expectations because it’s the first time when I have to defend a trophy at a Grand Slam,” Halep said. “(I just want to) be relaxed, enjoy the tournament and try to win some matches. Nothing more!”
Toni Nadal
Uncle Toni, who is best known as the former coach of Rafael Nadal, believes there will be three key contenders for the men’s title. Besides multiple champion Nadal, Toni has named world No.1 Djokovic and 2018 runner-up Dominic Thiem as favourites.
“I do not know, Rafael has not played in a perfect way in Madrid, Monte Carlo or Barcelona, he reached the semifinals and I think here and in Paris, he will play well”, Toni told Tennis World USA shortly before the Italian Open.
“I think he is the favourite with Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem.
Federer has also been named as a potential threat. The Swiss player hasn’t played in the clay-court major since 2015 and it will be only his third tournament on the clay since June 2016. Federer’s first and only triumph at the French Open was a decade ago in 2008.
“Roger Federer too, he has won a record 20 Grand Slam titles, it’s normal he is one of the contenders, less than Djokovic and Rafael but if he plays well he can beat one of the top guys.”
Arantxa Sanchez Vicario
In the Open Era, Sanchez Vicario in the only Spanish woman to have won Roland Garros on multiple occasions. The 47-year-old was victorious in 1989, 1994 and 1998. Placing her on equal ground with Serena Williams for most titles won at the event.
Unsurprisingly Sanchez Vicario lists compatriot Nadal as the man to beat, but says this year he will face a greater threat from his rivals. The King of clay has endured a mixed season on the dirt so far. Reaching the semi-finals at three consecutive events before going on to win the Rome Masters. His first ATP silverware of the season.
“Nadal is the one to beat because of the success he has had on clay. Also, playing five sets is a different story compared to three sets,” Sanchez Vicario told Firstpost.
“This year, there are going to be more players who can challenge Rafa for the title. Novak Djokovic, obviously, is one of them. Dominic Thiem is a very good clay court specialist. Then we also have Roger Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas. So it is wide open.”
The Spaniard has previously backed Halep to defend her title. Beyond that, she lists Petra Kvitova as a player to watch out for in the draw. The Czech is currently one of three players to have won multiple WTA titles in 2019. However, Kvitova hasn’t reached the French Open semi-finals since 2012.
“Kvitova is a very dangerous player and none of the players like to face her when she’s on top. The fact that she is left-handed gives her an advantage, so she’s definitely one of the contenders in Paris,” Sanchez Vicario said.
Vicario also lists Ashleigh as a threat because ‘players will struggle against her.’ She also described Naomi Osaka as a ‘worthy No.1’ and has shown that she can ‘play on all surfaces.’ Both Barty and Osaka are yet to win a trophy on the clay during their professional careers.
Mats Wilander
Former world No.1 Mats Wilander said his dream final in the women’s draw would involve Serena Williams. The American has only played in one clay event this season heading into the major. At the Italian Open Williams defeated Rebecca Peterson before withdrawing due to a knee injury.
“It would be nice to see Simona Halep in the final, because she the most interesting character on the WTA (tour) and I’d like to see her in the final with Serena Williams, because it would be nice for people to see her come back and not stay with the remembrance of the (US Open) final. Halep – Williams would be my final dream.” Digi Sport quoted him as saying.
Whilst Wilander said he would like to see Williams in the final, during a separate interview he played down her chances.
“I do not think she can win the title. I would be very surprised if she won 7 matches on clay. She will win a Grand Slam, but not the French Open.” He said.
“The three favourites are quite obvious: Simona Halep, first, Naomi Osaka, second. Then I think it’s Sloane Stephens.” He concluded.
As for the men, his pick mirror that of Toni Nadal. Nadal is the front runner, followed by Djokovic and Thiem.
“Obviously he has already played much better in Madrid, he is 32 years old, 33 soon. He does not have to win every tournament to get a chance at Roland Garros. Yes, at 3 sets out of 5, it will be difficult to defeat him.” Wilander commented about Nadal.
Greg Rusedski
1997 US Open runner-up Greg Rusedski believes Djokovic is on par with Nadal when it comes to his chances of winning. The Serbian is currently on a 21-match winning streak when it comes to the majors. Should he prevail in Paris, Djokovic would be the champion of all four grand slams at the same time for the second time in his career.
“For me joint-favourite is Djokovic and Nadal. Nadal announced himself. Before this match (Italian Open final) I was putting Djokovic as a slight favourite ahead of Rafa,” Tennis365 quoted Rusedski as telling Amazon Prime.
Interestingly, he didn’t mention Federer in the running. However, he listed both Stefanos Tsitsipas, who reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, and Fabio Fognini as outside contenders.
“I look at the outside guys, Tsitsipas has said, ‘I’m coming to the party!’” He explained.
“He’s a guy we didn’t think was going to step up this quickly.
“If you took someone as the third favourite I’d have to say Dominic Thiem, after Djokovic and Nadal.
“The wildcards are Tsitsipas and Fognini. Fognini is probably fifth or sixth, because he can be brilliant or crash out early.”
Martina Navratilova
This year marks the 35th anniversary of Navratilova’s last singles triumph at the French Open. Back in 1984 she defeated Chris Evert 6-3, 6-1, in the final. Earlier this year, the former world No.1 wrote an editorial for wtatennis.com about Petra Kvitova. A player who has previously said she has been inspired by Navratilova growing up.
Looking ahead to the French Open, the 62-year-old believes Kvitova could win Roland Garros as long as the conditions are in her favour.
“I would love to see Petra punctuate her comeback by winning a major this year, adding to the Wimbledon titles she took in 2011 and 2014.” Navratilova wrote.
“She is a threat on any surface, and could even win Roland Garros for the first time this year, though much will depend on the speed of the playing conditions in Paris, which can vary quite a bit. When Petra is on, she can beat anybody.”
Paul Annacone
Finally, Paul Annacone has described Nadal as the ‘clear favourite’ to win. Saying the Spaniard knows what it takes to overcome his previous disappointments on the tour. Annacone is a former world No.12 player who went on to have a successful career as both a coach and commentator. He is best known for his work with Pete Sampras (1995-2002) Federer (2010-2013).
“Nadal knows what he has to do,” he said.
“One of the most impressive things about Rafael Nadal and so many great players is their ability to sift through the emotional responses and be really pragmatic about where they are in their game. He knows where he is and he knows how to win on clay.
“And I still think there is no tougher test in men’s tennis than beating him three out of five on red clay.
“So for me he is the favourite for Roland Garros, the clear favourite, not even close.”
Current odds to win
Men
Nadal – 9/10
Djokovic – 12/5
Thiem – 6/1
Tsitsipas – 16/1
Federer – 18/1
Zverev – 20/1
Women
Halep – 7/2
Bertens – 8/1
Osaka – 10/1
Williams – 12/1
Kvitova – 12/1
Stephens – 14/1
Source – bwin.com
