If Rafael Nadal withdrew before the start of the tournament, the 122nd edition of Roland-Garros can nevertheless prove to be spectacular. This Thursday, May 25, took place the draw for the legendary tournament. Among the duels envisaged, the Serbian Novak Djokovic, 3rd in the world in search of a 23rd Grand Slam title at Roland-Garros, and the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, world number 1, could face each other in the semi-finals.
The other theoretical semi-final could oppose Russian Daniil Medvedev (2nd) and last year's finalist, Norwegian Casper Ruud (4th). The defending champion and 14-time winner, the Spaniard Rafael Nadal, has withdrawn, having insufficiently recovered from a hip muscle injury he suffered in the second round of the Australian Open in January.
The big question was whether the tournament's two main favorites, Alcaraz and Djokovic, could face each other before the final, with the Serb having dropped back to third in the world. The fate therefore decided that yes by placing him in the half of the table of the Spaniard. For Alcaraz, 20, after a first round against a player from the qualifications, the road seems clear until the quarter-finals where the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (5th), finalist in 2021 would be waiting for him. At 36, Djokovic will begin his course against the American Aleksandar Kovacevic (114th) aiming for a quarter probably against the Russian Andrey Rublev (7th).
At the bottom of the table, Medvedev who created the surprise by winning his first title on clay in Rome last week, will start against a player from qualifications and will head for a theoretical quarter against the Italian Jannik Sinner (8th) .
The other quarter should pit rising Danish star Holger Rune (6th), finalist this year in Monte-Carlo and Rome, against Ruud, finalist at Roland-Garros last year.
The German Alexander Zverev (27th), who had seriously injured his right ankle last year in the semi-finals against Nadal and had ended his season, will make his debut against the South African Lloyd Harris (306th).
In addition, the fate was severe with the French Benoît Paire (149th) who, beneficiary of an invitation, will be opposed from entry to the Briton Cameron Norrie (14th).
