Talking points ahead of French Open: Rafael Nadal’s hunt for No 20, Andy Murray’s trip down memory lane

A very different French Open gets under way at Roland Garros on Sunday with the Parisian Grand Slam being played in the autumn rather than the spring and with only a handful of fans, there are many questions about how things will play out.
Here are five talking points for the clay-court fortnight.
Handling the conditions
9 day forecast for Roland Garros starting tomorrow 😳 pic.twitter.com/iBjBnBbpqV
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) September 26, 2020
To make a British person feel at home, everyone has been talking about the weather at Roland Garros. Pictures have abounded of players taking to the court in coats and woolly hats, and the cold, damp weather could have a big impact on results.
The ball will not bounce as high or spin as much, potentially favouring players who prefer hard courts. The new Wilson balls, meanwhile, were strongly criticised by Rafael Nadal and will make conditions even slower, while the new Philippe Chatrier roof is another unknown factor.
Rafael Nadal chasing 20
View this post on Instagram
Finally some sun ☀️ and continue the preparation for this different @rolandgarros #allez #vamos 💪🏻
If Nadal wins a 13th French Open title, he will equal Roger Federer’s men’s record of 20 Grand Slam trophies. The Spaniard has only ever lost two matches on the Parisian clay and must always start as the favourite but that status has been questioned this time.
As well as the conditions, which are widely considered to favour Novak Djokovic, Nadal is a player who gains confidence from matches in his legs. He has had just three of those since February and a loss to Diego Schwartzman in Rome last week was potentially a bad omen.
Serena Williams’ quest goes on
Frames of a legend 📷 @serenawilliams #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/vcOdjfkZKl
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 26, 2020
Another Grand Slam, another chance for Serena Williams to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Slam singles titles. With each passing slam, the certainty that Williams will one day get over the line lessens, and Roland Garros is probably the least likely venue for it to happen.
Williams performed well at the US Open in reaching the semi-finals but an Achilles problem caused her to pull out of Rome and she has not played a clay-court match since last summer. The American has also just turned 39. No one in tennis would write her off, but time is running out.
Memory lane for Andy Murray
What a joy it is to see Andy Murray back on a clay court for the first time since his hip problems flared up in 2017. The final straw was a semi-final at Roland Garros against Stan Wawrinka, so a first-round draw against the Swiss on Thursday fell firmly into the category of you could not make it up.
Murray will be firmly second favourite against the 2015 champion but he would not be in Paris if he did not feel he could at least be competitive. It is just a shame there will not be a full house to see it.
Open field
View this post on Instagram
It would be a major surprise if the men’s champion was someone other than Nadal, Djokovic or US Open winner Dominic Thiem. In the women’s tournament, though, there are once again a whole host of potential challengers.
Simona Halep, the winner in 2018, is the favourite but the heavy conditions may not favour her. The likes of Williams, Garbine Muguruza and Elina Svitolina are prominent in the odds but it would be no surprise if another young talent followed in the recent footsteps of Jelena Ostapenko, Naomi Osaka, Ashleigh Barty, Bianca Andreescu and Sofia Kenin by lifting a slam trophy.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
US Open
Serena Williams retirement: Greg Rusedski not discounting ‘box office’ Serena to retire on a high at US Open
Serena Williams to bow out on a high by winning the US Open?
-
News
Serena Williams retirement: Tennis might never see such a remarkable icon ever again
The remarkable career of Serena Williams is drawing to a close.
-
WTA Tour
Serena Williams’ greatest milestones as she prepares to bid farewell: Open Era Grand Slam record, prize money
Serena Williams has had quite a career.
-
WTA Tour
Serena Williams confirms will retire after US Open, but doesn’t want any ‘ceremonial, final on-court moment’
Time to shed a tear or two, the great Serena Wiliams is to retire after the US Open.
-
WTA Tour
WATCH: Serena Williams wins superb rally, says she went into ‘mom mode’ after spotting daughter in the crowd
Serena Williams wins incredible shot after brilliant defensive work – and her daughter was there to see it.
-
ATP Tour
Alexander Zverev gives positive injury update, but withdraws from Cincy with US Open also in doubt
A fitness update from Alexander Zverev.
-
News
LTA’s first pro padel event in Great Britain a major success as Tia Norton and Carla Fito Fernandez win big
Congratulations to Tia Norton and Carla Fito Fernandez as well as Bram Meijer and Sten Richters.
-
Tennis News
WATCH: Roger Federer keeps his promise to young fan in awe-inspiring video
If this video from Roger Federer and Zizou doesn’t make you smile today, then nothing will.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev shrugs off playing under neutral flag: ‘I’m still Daniil Medvedev. I still want to win big titles’
Daniil Medvedev has moved on from the Wimbledon ban.
-
WTA Tour
Leylah Fernandez keeps her emotions in check to claim comeback win to say ‘thank you’ to family and friends
A first-ever Canadian Open win for Leylah Fernandez.