Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are among the latest stars to arrive at Roland Garros and begin their on-site preparations for the season’s second major.
The Italian enjoyed his first practice session on Court Philippe-Chatrier Wednesday afternoon with former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori, who is using a protected ranking to play his first major since the 2021 US Open. Sinner also shared a warm embrace with 14-time champion Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard practised with 2015 titlist Stan Wawrinka.
The Australian Open champion’s arrival in Paris is heartening to Italian fans after his presence at Roland Garros was in question following Sinner’s withdrawal midway through Madrid. The World No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings then missed his home ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Rome due to a hip injury.
Sinner will put his standout 28-2 season record to the test with hopes of surpassing his best result at the French slam, a quarter-final run in 2020.
During Alcaraz’s practice with Frenchman Luca Van Assche, the 21-year-old wore a compression sleeve on his right arm, as he did in his previous outing, a quarter-final appearance in Madrid, where Sinner also reached the last eight before withdrawing.
At World No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings, the Spaniard is aiming for his third major crown and first in Paris. The 13-time tour-level titlist arrived on court Wednesday and shared a quick laugh with Stefanos Tsitsipas, who was practising before Alcaraz.
Both Alcaraz and Sinner will learn their place in the Roland Garros draw on Thursday. The singles main draw will be made at 2 p.m. local time. The clay-court major runs from 26 May – 9 June.
