French Open talking points: Ashleigh Barty void, Emma Raducanu’s pain, Hawk-Eye snub
The French Open begins on Sunday with Novak Djokovic and Barbora Krejcikova looking to defend the titles they won last year, while Rafael Nadal goes in search of a 14th Paris crown.
Here are some of the talking points ahead of Roland Garros fortnight.
Old guard and young guns collide
With Nadal, fitness permitting, going for Roland Garros title No 14 and Djokovic, back from his Australian exile, aiming to tie his great rival on 21 Grand Slams, the men’s tournament is set up to be an absolute cracker.
Throw in teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz – who beat the gilded duo in Madrid a fortnight ago – and last year’s runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas and the field feels the strongest for years, despite the continued absence of Roger Federer.
If he can shake off an injury, Nadal will start as favourite, but last year’s semi-final defeat by eventual champion Djokovic will still smart.
Raducanu’s pain game
Moving forward ➡️#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | @EmmaRaducanu pic.twitter.com/mypOFPGkfg
— LTA (@the_LTA) May 10, 2022
British No 1 Emma Raducanu has been hampered by a series of injury problems since her shock US Open triumph last year. She was forced to retire from a match for the second time this season at the recent Italian Open due to a back injury. The 19-year-old, currently without a full-time coach, is in need of some support as her body adjusts to the demands of competing on the Tour week in, week out. Otherwise a long run in Paris looks unlikely.
Ashleigh Barty void
This is the first major tournament since Ashleigh Barty, the world number one, 2019 champion and three-time grand slam winner, stunned the tennis world by announcing her retirement. The void left by the charismatic Australian will be huge and difficult to fill. Poland’s Iga Swiatek, the 2020 champion, is now top of the rankings and favourite for the title but the women’s game is in danger of slipping back to a succession of one-time major winners. That depth and uncertainty can be exciting, but the sport needs more consistent champions.
Open to all
French Open chiefs have taken a different approach to Wimbledon in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine with Russian and Belarusian stars allowed to compete, albeit under a neutral status. The All England Club’s stance has been met with criticism within the sport, including from the likes of Djokovic and Nadal.
Roland Garros chief Amelie Mauresmo has therefore not followed suit, but she has issued a stark warning to Russian and Belarusian players about the potential sanctions that would come with making pro-Vladimir Putin statements in the media.
The umpires’ eyes have it
The French Open is the only one of the four grand slam events not to use electronic line-calling, or Hawk-Eye. Roland Garros organisers maintain that the system cannot be 100 per cent accurate on the grainy surface. Disputed line calls have been a feature of the clay-court build-up this year – see Denis Shapovalov’s four-letter meltdown in Rome – but Paris is not for moving. Instead the archaic sight of an umpire clambering down from their chair to look for a mark in the dirt will continue to settle any close calls.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Brad Gilbert addresses calls to ‘fix’ Coco Gauff’s forehand as he reveals his one coaching regret
“Not everybody is like Rafa that can make changes all the time. Andre was another one that liked to tinker.”
-
Tennis News
Daniil Medvedev highlights Carlos Alcaraz’s ‘advantage’ – ‘I felt a little bit out of solutions’
“It’s tough. Mentally it’s not easy to play against this,” admits Daniil Medvedev.
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova dismisses Emma Raducanu ‘fluke’ claims as she highlights a ‘handicap’
“It was amazing when she won but it’s become a handicap because the expectations have gone sky-high.”
-
ATP Tour
WATCH: Tennis star collapses during Miami Open qualifier as opponent admits ‘I didn’t see him fall’
Arthur Cazaux left the court in a wheelchair.
-
Tennis News
Tennis great Martina Navratilova sympathises with frustrated Andy Murray – ‘It’s exhausting’
“It’s exhausting to have to deal with the press like that for Andy,” says Martina Navratilova.
-
Tennis News
Aryna Sabalenka’s boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov dies as club confirms tragic news
Our thoughts go out to Aryna Sabalenka.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu suffers huge injury setback on the eve of Miami Open
Raducanu forced to make a tough decision ahead of WTA 1000 tournament in Miami.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz hailed for ‘chasing Rafael Nadal’ by pundits as injury concern highlighted
“It adds to the quality of Alcaraz that he can play at this level at the age of 20.”
-
Tennis News
Miami Open draw: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner learn their fate as Andy Murray gets enticing opener
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and co. have learned their draws for 2024 Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Tim Henman gives his verdict on Novak Djokovic’s ‘revealing’ Miami Open withdrawal
“It probably does lead a little bit more to speculation when you’re talking about your professional and personal life.”