“This is a great situation for players like Alexander Zverev & Stefanos Tsitsipas,” Mats Wilander thinks this year’s Roland Garros is the most open it has been in recent times

This French Open has always been left for Rafael Nadal to decide over the years, but the Spanish star is struggling to get to terms with his body, and other players have taken the stage. 

That has led Mats Wilander to believe Roland Garros will be the biggest opportunity for Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas to win their first Grand Slam.

However, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is still among the favorites, but with his recent dip in form, the Serbian looks unlikely to win the title. He exited the Italian Open in the third round and is now playing at the Geneva Open for form ahead of the French Open title defense. On the other hand, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are just returning from injuries.

Perhaps they are still among the long list of favorites. But Sinner isn’t a good clay court player. The Italian hasn’t won any clay tournaments this season, despite competing in two. For Alcaraz, his forearm pain led him to exit at the Madrid Open, showing signs of tiredness.

He has missed the Monte Carlo Masters and the Italian Open this season and may be rusty on the Roland Garros court facing top players.

Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev just won the Italian Open and is a three-time French Open semifinalist. While Stefano Tsitsipas is one of the big clay top players, though he reached the quarterfinals in Rome, he won the Monte Carlo Masters. That’s why Wilander believes it’s the duo’s best chance for a major title.

This year’s Roland-Garros for the men is definitely the most open that we’ve seen in a very, very long time.I think they feel that if Novak [Djokovic] is not playing at his best, which he [isn’t], Carlos Alcaraz hasn’t played at all, and Nadal hasn’t played that much, the best players have not shown that they are still the best players in the world. I think that itself gives a lot of confidence to players like Zverev and Tsitsipas.

Mats Wilander said via tennis365.

Alexander Zverev reveals his new focus ahead of the Roland Garros

Alexander Zverev has revealed his new winning strategy ahead of the French Open, which kicks off on May 26. The German defeated Nicolas Jarry to clinch his first title of the season after reaching the semifinals three times this year.

Ahead of the Roland Garros, the 27-year-old revealed that he will focus on himself and find rhythm in the major tournament.

That’s my mindset. That’s how I think about it. I know I have to focus on myself, to find my rhythm in Paris the way I did here. Then everything is on my own racket. 

Alexander Zverev said

Meanwhile, Zverev has found his best career form, but his major problem on the court has been his lack of consistency.

In case you missed it:

• “Thanks to the state of mind built by Toni’s coaching,” Marion Bartoli credits Toni Nadal for building Rafael Nadal’s competitive spirit
• Roger Federer thinks tennis is “old school” as he wants it to have ‘more colors’ to make it attractive for younger people

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