“Rien ne va plus.” The yellow ball rolled onto the red clay of Roland Garros at 11:00 on Sunday and will keep moving until June 11, when it lands in one of 128 boxes to claim the jackpot.
Not for the first time, Rafael Nadal stands in the eye of the betting storm. Before taking the court on Monday, Carlos Alcaraz noted that the ball has landed in the penalty area 14 times since 2022, predicting that the Mallorca native will be favored in the sportsbooks as the tournament’s most reliable winner. He opened with odds around 2.65 for his first Roland Garros title. Djokovic follows with about 3.40. Daniel Medvedev and Holger Rune sit at 8.50, Jannik Sinner at 12, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud at 17, Alexander Zverev at 26, and Andrey Rublev at 51. Roberto Bautista Agut (151) and Alexander Davidovic (201) are positioned as the most valuable Spanish players beyond Alcaraz.
Nadal is not considered to be in immediate danger; the tournament has opened up more widely than ever since his 2005 breakthrough. Djokovic owns the most recent titles in the era, with wins in 2016 and 2021, while Stan Wawrinka (2015) and the late Roger Federer (2009) are among others who have added their names to the Musketeers Cup when visiting the Balearic tennis arena on Philippe Chatrier court.
Wilander’s memory
“The year of now or never.” Mats Wilander wrote in his column for L’Equipe, recalling his first win in 1982 at age 17; Bjorn Borg, with six Roland Garros titles, announced a surprising break a few weeks back that would lead to his retirement at 26.
“Players favor Tsitsipas, Medvedev, and Rune; they have a real shot, and their chances depend more on handling the pressure of a new situation than on raw skill,” Wilander emphasized.
“Carlos won the US Open at 19, which should help him repeat the feat.”
Among the strongest contenders, few doubt Alcaraz’s status as the clear favorite, a point echoed by Djokovic himself. The added pressure does not appear to burden the Murcian, a view reinforced by his coach Ferrero, who claimed he won Roland Garros two decades ago. The pressure will always be there, but Alcaraz has already claimed a Grand Slam, the US Open, at 19, which should bolster his belief that he can do it again. He remains prepared for a great run, even as pundits acknowledge the possibility of a first-round upset.
Center for Djokovic
Alcaraz will face Suzanne Lenglen in the second round, opening against the Italian Flavio Cobolli. Djokovic will clash in the second round on Philippe Chatrier against American Alexander Kovacevic, a 114th-ranked opponent. The organizers are positioning Djokovic ahead of Alcaraz for a potential clash at center court later in the tournament. Djokovic, a two-time Roland Garros champion with 22 Grand Slams, and Alcaraz, still building his slam tally but proving ready for the big stages, are expected to stay tightly matched as the draw unfolds toward a potential semi-final on June 9.
Both players loom large as the tournament progresses, with the field watching as the two potential rivals push toward the latter rounds.
Tsitsipas, Sakkari, and the early rounds
This Sunday, Tsitsipas entered as the top seed. The Greek player did not have an easy start, edging Czech player Jiri Vesely 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7). Tsitsipas saved four set points before a hard-fought finish, and he acknowledged feeling good but not in his best rhythm, a line reflecting the pressure of a championship run. Maria Sakkari also faced a tough initial test, with Muchova defeating the Greek in a 7-6 (5), 7-5 decision that opened questions about form early in the tournament.
On the opening day, Spaniards made their presence felt, with Roberto Carballés Baena advancing past Emilio Nava in a tight 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-2 victory. Pedro Martínez overcame Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 2-6, 0-6, 7-5, 6-3, while Nuria Parrizas Diaz fell to Storm Hunter 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. The crowd watched closely as several Spanish players navigated the early rounds, setting the tone for a compelling fortnight on the Parisian clay.
The tournament atmosphere remains electric as the field narrows and the drama tightens. As drama builds and the field crystallizes, fans await the breakthroughs that could shape a legendary run. The narrative arcs are many: coaching wisdom, the weight of expectation, and the sheer thrill of witnessing the world’s best on one of tennis’s grandest stages. The storylines will continue to unfold with every match, and the magic of Roland Garros will keep delivering moments that endure in memory for players and fans alike. [citation]