Former champion names seven men who could win Roland Garros

French Open
Holger Rune

Former Roland Garros winner Mats Wilander has picked out seven men who he feels have a shot at Grand Slam glory in Paris.

Wilander has identified Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic as the tournaments big favourites right now.

However he feels that there is a growing pack of players capable of challenging the 22-time Major winner and the young world No 1.

Wilander feels that as many as five players have realistic hopes of being in the championship mix.

He first named Denmark’s Holger Rune, who ended Djokovic’s multi-season streak at Rome in May and has looked likely throughout the clay swing.

Former French Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas is also backed to be among those who could challenge the favourites.

After getting over what seemed like a mental block over playing on clay, Daniil Medvedev has enjoyed a breakout season in the dirt and also warranted a mention.

Wilander added that serial titlists on clay Casper Ruud and Monte Carlo Masters champion Andrey Rublev can also not be counted out.

“The two favourites for me are Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. And then around five behind them – Holger Rune, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev, and maybe Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev slightly behind,” Wilander told Eurosport.

Wilander predicted that once the Grand Slam got into full swing her believes that Djokovic will gather momentum and start to look like the clear favourite.

“Once the tournament starts and Novak starts winning, it will be clear that he will become the favourite. But because Rafa is not there it is so much more open.

Wilander feels that the men’s field is full of dangerous players with no easy matches to be had so there could be plenty of upsets this season.

He would add that if he needed to pick a dark horse it would be Holger Rune simply because he has the brash confidence of youth on his side and has been playing excellent tennis.

“Anyone can beat anyone if they have the best days of their lives. The darkest horse is maybe Holger Rune because he’s so young and clearly has the ability and confidence and we have clearly not seen the best tennis he will produce, but we might see it here.”

The French Open gets underway in Paris on Sunday 28 May 2023 at 11:00 local time with action scheduled for all of the Stade Roland Garros courts.

Watch every moment from Roland-Garros LIVE and exclusive on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport App

Carlos Alcaraz Novak Djokovic

Latest