09/20/2024

Often referred to as ‘terre battue’ – literally ‘beaten earth’ – the art of playing on the slippery crushed red brick courts in Paris can be a challenge in a season book-ended by hard courts, until we get the spring and summer.

Andrey Rublev was victorious in Madrid, while Alexander Zverev’s credentials entering Roland Garros are looking pretty good following his second Internazionali d’Italia title.

World No 1 Iga Swiatek made it nine straight wins in singles finals with her third Rome title in four years having already won in Madrid – both wins coming against her closest rival, Aryna Sabalenka.

This season is most likely the most wide-open it has been. With the sun setting on Rafael Nadal’s career, with a record-extending 15th Roland Garros title potentially out of his grasp, you would think the way would be clear for Novak Djokovic to take sole ownership of the mantle of most Grand Slam titles.

Yet Djokovic has struggled to find his stride this season, as he is yet to claim a title in 2024. After being hit on the head by a spectator’s bottle in Rome, he bowed out meekly in the third round, before another shock defeat in Geneva. He will now head to Paris to prepare for his title defence.

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