French Open 2024
venue: Roland Garros, Paris date: May 26th – June 9th
coverage: Live text and radio commentary every day of selected matches on the BBC Sport website and apps, and BBC Radio 5 Sport Extra.
All eyes will be on Rafael Nadal, the reigning French Open champion, as he makes his return to the tournament this year and then his long-awaited retirement.
With Novak Djokovic attempting to defend his title, the draw is likely to be competitive, but Nadal looks unlikely to win a record-extending 15th men’s singles title.
The women’s singles is feeling more predictable with three-time champion Iga Swiatek looking to continue her recent dominance.
BBC Sport has five key stories ahead of the clay-court major tournament getting underway on Sunday.
Nadal and Murray say ‘goodbye’
Nothing is a sure thing in the world of sport, but Nadal winning the Cup des Mousquetaires came as close as we could get.
The clay court champion has been dominant in Paris, losing just three of his 115 matches here.
The 37-year-old Spaniard missed last year’s tournament through injury but is expected to retire later this year and is fit enough to make what may be a final return.
Nadal trained at Court Philippe Chatrier this week and was given a hero’s welcome by thousands of fans who came to watch.
Much of the discussion is focused on how Nadal will perform once the tournament begins, but he will first face the favourite, Alexander Zverev, in whom he will face an incredibly tough challenge.
Another beloved player saying goodbye is Andy Murray.
Like Nadal, the 37-year-old Briton is set to retire at the end of this season and had planned to return to Paris, where he was runner-up in 2016, before then stepping down.
Murray’s plans were all but shattered when he ruptured ligaments in his ankle in March, but he opted out of surgery and returned to the court last week.
Can Djokovic bounce back after a turbulent season?
Before this year’s Australian Open, Djokovic looked likely to carry his dominant form from 2023 into the new season.
The 37-year-old Serb reached the semi-finals in Melbourne but was far from his usual high level throughout the match.
It’s been an eventful few months in the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s career since his loss to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic’s long-time coach Goran Ivanisevic and fitness trainer Marko Panic left the team after the world number one was knocked out early at Indian Wells.
Djokovic reached the semi-finals at the start of the clay-court season in Monte Carlo, losing to last year’s French Open finalist Kasper Ruud, but the uncertainty surrounding him resurfaced at the Italian Open.
Djokovic was accidentally hit in the head with a metal water bottle after winning his first match, then suffered a shock loss to Alejandro Tabilo two days later and felt that this limited his play.
Serbian doctors have since said Djokovic showed signs of concussion, so it will be interesting to see how the top seed fares after his semi-final loss in Geneva on Friday.
“Of course I’m worried. I haven’t played well at all this year,” Djokovic said.
“I don’t see myself as a favourite to win Roland Garros.”
Djokovic is not the only top men’s player with doubts about his form, with Italy’s Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz also missing recent matches due to injuries.
However, Germany’s Zverev won in Rome and Ruud, who has reached the final twice, is also likely to be a favourite to win.
Can anyone stop Swiatek from winning a third consecutive title?
Top-seeded Swiatek has spoken about how Nadal is her idol and the 22-year-old Pole is quickly becoming as dominant on clay as he was earlier in his career.
Swiatek has won 28 of her 30 matches at Roland Garros and is bidding for her fourth title in five years.
Her four titles this season include consecutive victories on the clay courts of Madrid and Rome, and if she continues her streak in Paris she will become just the second woman to win all three tournaments, joining Serena Williams in 2013.
So who can stop her?
Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka reached the semi-finals last year but losses in the finals in Madrid and Rome suggested the Belarusian has yet to master the skills to take on Swiatek on her preferred court.
American third seed Coco Gauff is also trying to figure out how to break down Swiatek’s game, losing in the semifinals in Rome for the 10th time in 11 meetings.
Soon-to-be-retired Danielle Collins is in the best form of her career and will pose a threat, but last year’s runner-up Karolina Muchova is absent with a wrist injury.
Boulter leads British challenge
Since the Open Era began in 1968, British success at Roland Garros has been limited, with just one singles winner, Sue Barker in 1976.
Katie Boulter is Britain’s highest-ranked player at world number 28 but has little experience on clay courts and this will be her first time competing in the French Open.
Harriet Dart is the only other British woman in the main draw after Emma Raducanu decided not to try to qualify.
In addition to Murray, the men’s field will include Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper and Dan Evans.
Given the tough brackets, injuries and recent performances, any six-man British team that makes it to week two would be considered a decent performance.
Zverev’s trial will begin during the tournament
With the men’s singles format being so unpredictable, Zverev’s time may be upon him to claim the Grand Slam title his talent has long promised.
However, the 27-year-old German’s performance at Roland Garros will run alongside his trial on domestic violence charges.
In November, Zverev was suspended and fined for allegedly physically abusing a former girlfriend.
Zverev denies the charges and is challenging the order, meaning he is technically innocent and cannot be found guilty until a final verdict is reached.
The hearing, which begins on May 31, is scheduled to take place in public over eight days before a single judge. Zverev will not have to appear in person.
Asked at a pre-tournament press conference if the incident had affected his preparations, Zverev replied: “Not at all. At the end of the day, I believe in the German system.”
“That’s why I’m able to play calmly and I think that’s reflected in the results.”
