PARIS : Novak Djokovic will begin his pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title when the first round of the French Open starts on Sunday, with the Serb facing Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Paris.
World number three Alexander Zverev also begins his campaign against France’s Benjamin Bonzi as he continues his search for a maiden Grand Slam title.
This year’s claycourt major begins amid growing tensions between players and organisers over prize money and player influence, with some competitors limiting their appearances during the traditional pre-tournament media days on Friday and Saturday.
Djokovic, who has played only once since Indian Wells Masters in March, said injury rehabilitation had disrupted his preparations.
“I wanted to play more but my body was not allowing me. I was going through rehabilitation process for my injury,” Djokovic told reporters.
“If I’m able to somehow maintain a level of freshness and progress, then I feel like I always have a very good chance.”
The 39-year-old has spent the past two seasons chasing a 25th major title that would move him ahead of Margaret Court for sole ownership of the all-time Grand Slam record.
In the women’s draw, Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva opens against France’s Fiona Ferro after a strong clay season that included a runner-up finish at the Madrid Open and semi-final appearance in Stuttgart.
The 19-year-old said she expected strong support for Ferro from the home crowd but believed her experience from last year’s tournament would help her cope.
“Obviously the crowd is going to support her as much as they can, and that’s totally okay,” Andreeva said.
Zverev enters the tournament among the favourites, particularly after the withdrawal of injured world number two Carlos Alcaraz. The German reached last year’s final in Paris and has advanced to at least the quarter-finals in seven of the last eight editions.
Bonzi could still prove dangerous, having been one of only three players to take a set off world number one Jannik Sinner during the Italian’s 29-match winning streak.
French Open order of play on Sunday (play begins at 1000 GMT) – Court Philippe Chatrier
- Sinja Kraus v Belinda Bencic
- Benjamin Bonzi v Alexander Zverev
- Mirra Andreeva v Fiona Ferro
- Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard v Novak Djokovic
