PARIS – For the first time in a year, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are both entered in the same major tournament – and, somehow, most of the buzz heading into the French Open is about Carlos Alcaraz, a teenager without one Grand Slam title to his name.
There are plenty of reasons to keep tabs on Djokovic and Nadal as main draw play begins Sunday. They’re two greats of the game who have played each other more than any other two men in the Open era, including nine times at Roland Garros.
Thanks to Thursday’s draw, they would meet in the quarterfinals this year, if at all, with a possible matchup against Alcaraz awaiting in the semifinals.
Nadal is a 13-time champion in Paris, owner of a record 21 Grand Slam men’s singles trophies overall and only recently returned from a rib injury while also dealing with chronic pain in his left foot that kept him out of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year.
“All of a sudden,” No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev said Friday after watching Nadal practice on site, “his forehand is just 20 miles per hour faster. He moves lighter on his feet. There is something about this court that makes him play 30% better.”