Tennis Today: NextGen surprise at French Open and a tribute to Djokovic

Shahida Jacobs 23 May 2018 9:56 AM

In Tennis Today, Henri Leconte reckons we’ll have a new winner at the French Open this year while we pay tribute to Novak Djokovic.

What’s on the site
12-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic celebrated his 31st birthday yesterday and we looked back at his excellent 2015 season when he won just about everything.

It’s bad news for Serena Williams as she will not be seeded at the French Open.

Staying with the French Open, we kick off our build-up to the Roland Garros with a quiz about the clay-court Grand Slam. We reckon you should get at least 7/10.

Results round-up:
ATP Lyon
ATP Geneva
WTA Nuremberg and Strasbourg

What’s in the news
An excellent piece from Telegraph Sport’s Charlie Eccleshare as he interviews with Robin Soderling. The Sweden talks about “beating Nadal and Federer to struggling to get out of bed – and falling in love with tennis again”

Warning, it is premium content so you need a subscription.

Well, well, well. Nadal is the overwhelming favourite to win the French Open, but Express Sport reports that Henri Leconte feels “we’re going to have a surprise”.

In an interview with Bolamarela.pt, translated by Express Sport, the Frenchman said: “I think someone from the new generation will finally get their chance.”

Evonne Goolagong Cawley is to be given the Philippe Chatrier Award “for contributions to tennis in both her outstanding on-court career and dedicated public service after it”.

The seven-time Grand Slam winner will receive the International Tennis Federation’s highest accolade in Paris in June, reports the Herald Sun.

What’s on social media
Two players you never thought you’d see taking a picture together. Bernard Tomic and Serena Williams.

Funny moments from the Italian Open.

Feline intruders, danger doubles & the most bizarre of broken rackets ??

It’s your funniest moments from Rome ??#IBI18 pic.twitter.com/07px9Eeb1h

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 22, 2018