Every so often events take place in the sporting realm that make you sit back and take notice. One such event happened at Roland Garros yesterday as Rafael Nadal crashed out of the French Open in the first round for the first time. The straight-sets defeat to Alexander Zverev was only his fourth defeat at the major, one he’s won a record 14 times. He’s keeping coy over whether it will be his final appearance, saying he’ll decide on his future later on, but the result did have a changing-of-the-guard feel to it.
Whether that continues today is unlikely, but there is little doubt that Novak Djokovic comes into this tournament with more question marks hanging over him than there have been for many a year. Having been beaten in Geneva last week by little-known Czech player Tomas Machac, his sixth loss of the year, he admitted he was ‘worried’.
He gets his title tilt under way today against home hope Pierre-Hugues Herbert on Court Philippe-Chatrier. It’s a match Djokovic is expected to win but with his form faltering an upset could be on the cards.
Other matches to watch out for today see women’s second seed Aryna Sabalenka take on Russia’s Erika Andreeva, and Britain’s Dan Evans take on 13th seed Holger Rune in a tough encounter on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
When does the French Open start and end?
The French Open began on Sunday, May 26 and concludes on June 9.
What is today’s order of play?
Show courts and British players in action on day three:
COURT PHILIPPE-CHATRIER (begins 10am UK time):
(7) Qinwen Zheng (China) v Alize Cornet (France)
Felipe Alves (Brazil) v (7) Casper Ruud (Norway)
Erika Andreeva (Russia) v (2) Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)
(1) Novak Djokovic (Croatia) v Pierre-Hugues Herbert (France)
COURT SUZANNE-LENGLEN (begins 10am UK time):
Greet Minnen (Belgium) v (4) Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan)
(28) Tomas Etcheverry (Argentina) v Arthur Cazaux (France)
Magdalena Frech (Poland) v (10) Daria Kasatkina (Russia)
Daniel Evans (Britain) v (13) Holger Rune (Denmark)
COURT SIMONNE-MATHIEU
(11) Alex De Minaur (Australia) v Alex Michelsen (US)
(12) Taylor Fritz (US) v Federico Coria (Argentina)
(14) Madison Keys (US) v Renata Zarazua (Mexico)
(19) Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) v Nadia Podoroska (Argentina)
COURT 14
(26) Katie Boulter (Britain) v Paula Badosa (Spain)
When do the French Open finals take place?
The women’s final takes place on June 8 and the men’s final is the following day on June 9.
Where is the French Open held?
The French Open takes place at Roland Garros, which is located on the edge of Bois de Boulogne, close to Paris St-Germain’s Parc des Princes. The venue spans 18 clay courts including the main show court: Philippe-Chatrier.
How to buy French Open tickets
You can buy tickets for the French Open here.
How to watch the French Open on TV and streaming in the UK
In the UK, Eurosport hold the broadcasting rights to live action from Paris. To watch on Discovery+, an Entertainment & Sport pass is £6.99/month.
Coverage on Eurosport and discovery+ is available across all major TV platforms and direct-to-consumer streaming services, including Sky, Virgin Media, EE TV, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV+, Sony, Google and Roku.
Expert analysis will be provided on-site and in studio from the likes of Mats Wilander, Barbara Schett, Tim Henman, Alex Corretja, Chris Evert, John McEnroe and Laura Robson.
How to watch the French Open on TV in the US
NBC Sports will televise coverage of the French Open in the US.
Men’s first round draw
What is the French Open prize money?
Total prize money for this year’s tournament comes to £45.7 million, up 7.82 per cent on last year.
Overall, prize money for the singles draw has increased by seven per cent compared with 2023.
How are the British players doing?
Cameron Norrie lost in five sets to Russia’s world No.57 Pavel Kotov yesterday, missing the chance to play Andy Murray’s first-round conqueror Stan Wawrinka. The Briton was seeded 32nd, but Kotov proved too strong as Norrie lost in the first round of a grand slam for the first time since the 2022 Australian Open.
He is one of four Britons to lose in the first round of this year’s tournament. Linda Noskova eliminated Harriet Dart in straight sets yesterday, while Jack Draper and Murray exited on Sunday.
That leaves just Katie Boulter and Dan Evans, who both play their openers today, as the last two Britons in the singles draw.
Evans faces 13th seed Holger Rune, while British No.1 Katie Boulter faces former top-10 player Paula Badosa.
Why isn’t Emma Raducanu at the French Open?
After failing to claim a wildcard into the main draw, Raducanu pulled out of qualifying for the French Open and announced she would be focusing on the grass court season which concludes with Wimbledon in July.
She said: “It’s important for me to keep laying on the foundations and I will use the time to do a healthy block before the grass and subsequent hard-court seasons to give myself a chance to keep fit for the rest of the year.”
Who are the defending champions?
Last year, Novak Djokovic claimed his 23rd major singles title when he beat Casper Ruud in straight sets.
Iga Swiatek claimed her third French Open title when she overcame Karolina Muchova in three sets.
The French Open trophies
The men play for the Coupe des Mousquetaires (Musketeers’ Cup), named in honour of the four Musketeers of French tennis: Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet and René Lacoste.
The women play for the Suzanne-Lenglen Cup, named after the woman who won the title six times.
Latest odds
To win the men’s title
Carlos Alcaraz 5/2Novak Djokovic 3/1Jannik Sinner 4/1Alexander Zverev 13/2
To win the women’s title
Iga Swiatek 8/13Aryna Sabalenka 5/1Coco Gauff 8/1Elena Rybakina 9/1
Odds correct as of May 26
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