Not participating in the French Open? Which names may miss Roland Garros 2023?

Two weeks to go until the start of the French Open. Check out the names whose participation is uncertain this year. In some cases, an absence would be a very significant loss for the second Grand Slam of the season.

Rafael Nadal

The Spanish tennis player has already triumphed 14 times at the French Open and the question of his participation in Paris is therefore a very watched issue. If he were to compete here this year, he would have the opportunity to become the lone player in the historical ranking of Grand Slam victories.

He now shares that honour with Novak Djokovic. Both tennis players have so far recorded 22 triumphs at the most prestigious tennis events.

Rafa’s return to the courts has been repeatedly postponed this year and if the tennis player does manage to start at this year’s Roland Garros, it would be without previous match practice. Rafael Nadal has not been in such a situation yet. But clearly such a starting position would be a huge challenge.

Novak Djokovic

The absence of the world number one in this year’s ATP carousel has been considerably shorter than Nadal’s. The Serbian tennis player is already playing at the ongoing Italian Open. While it is virtually certain that he will lose his world number one position here, a good result in Italy would certainly be a much-needed boost before the clay season’s highlight in Paris.

The main question is his elbow, which was not in optimal condition the week before last. The ongoing event in Rome will therefore give a clear indication whether the 35-year-old will play at the upcoming Grand Slam. Incidentally, a possible triumph in Paris would make Novak Djokovic the first player in history to win all Grand Slams at least three times.

Nick Kyrgios and other possible absentees

The Australian has not played a single match this year due to a knee problem and is unlikely to appear at the French Open. He is definitely not looking for the clay court and his chances of participating this year are not improved by his statement last year when he let it be known that he will come to Roland Garros 2023 because his girlfriend would like to see Paris.

The participation of former world number one Andy Murray was also in question. But he has been firm in recent days. After his elimination in Rome, he confirmed his intention to play at the French Open.

The last time the Briton played here was three years ago when he crashed out in the first round. But in 2016, he played the final here. Back then, Djokovic was more than he could handle.

Matteo Berrettini is also not having an easy year. The former world number six dropped out in the first round at the Australian Open this year and repeated the same result later at the major in Indian Wells.

When he was finally finding his form in Monte Carlo, he was stopped by injury before his eighth-final duel. His withdrawal from his home event in Rome was a bad omen. His participation at Roland Garros is by no means certain.

Source: ATP, Eurosport