The tennis elite gathers back in Paris. The French Open is concerned with the end of a long hunt for Alexander Zverev.
It is the first French Open after the end of Rafael Nadal. Nevertheless, the Spaniard in the Stade Roland Garros again plays a leading role. The answers to the most important questions about the clay court classic, which begins on Sunday.
Tennis: How do German opportunities be at the French Open?
The German hopes are once again resting on Zverev. The 28-year-old wants to continue to fulfill the dream of the first Grand Slam title.
He was very close in Paris twice. In 2022 he probably played the best tennis of his career in Paris before a serious foot injury stopped in the semi -finals against Rafael Nadal. Zverev even stood in the final last year, but had to give up the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in five sets.
From a German perspective, Alexander Zverev gives a big gap. Otherwise, only Daniel Altmaier and Jan-Lennard Struff are located directly in the main field. For women, only the trio Eva Lys, Tatjana Maria and Laura Siegemund automatically qualify. Reaching the second week in Paris would be a great success for you.
Who are the tournament favorites at Roland Garros?
In the men’s world ranking, Jannik Sinner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz most recently delivered a foretaste of who will be the title candidate in Paris in the Rome final.
Sinner triumphed again at his first tournament after the three-month doping lock as in the best of time. Nevertheless, he had to give up Alcaraz in two sets. If the Spaniard stays healthy over the two weeks, he is the top favorite.
For women, the race seems to be a little more open. Aryna Sabalenka travels as number one and wants to be the first Grand Slam title this year after her final defeat against Madison Keys in Melbourne. But especially IGA Swiatek should make life difficult for her.
The Polish has won the last three editions in Paris and does not feel as comfortable anywhere in the Stade of Roland Garros. Coco Gauff from the USA or the Italian Jasmine Paolini, who recently triumphed in Rome, have opportunities.
What about Rafael Nadal?
No tennis professional has shaped the French Open as much as Rafael Nadal. The Spanish tennis titan won the clay court spectacle 14 times. Nadal is missing this year because the Mallorquin ended his career at the end of last year.
Nadal will still be in Paris. On Sunday, the opening day of the French Open, the 38-year-old is honored by the organizers and thus gets the farewell to his favorite tournament that he deserves.
When and where is played?
It starts on Sunday as usual in Paris for a few years. The first round extends over three days. The finale among the women will take place on Saturday, June 7th. A day later, the men play their winner.
The Stade Roland Garros in the Bois de Boulogne of Paris is one of the most traditional tennis systems in the world. The Center Court, the Court Philippe-Chatrier, holds just over 15,000 spectators.
How high is the prize money?
A total of 56.352 million euros will be distributed at the second Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season. This is an increase of 5.21 percent compared to the previous year. The winners in women and men each receive 2.55 million euros. Anyone who loses in the first round goes home with 78,000 euros.
Which TV station can the tournament be seen at?
The tennis fans get their money’s worth at “Eurosport”. The broadcaster sends live from Paris more than 240 hours on Eurosport 1 and 2. At the streaming service “Discovery+”, all matches of the 16 courts can be seen live and on call in full length.
Boris Becker and Barbara Rittner are again used as experts with their own shows.