John McEnroe looked ahead to what appears to be a wide open men’s draw when the second Grand Slam of the year begins at Roland-Garros on Sunday. Novak Djokovic is the reigning champion, but has been in mixed form heading into the French Open. Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have both had to overcome injury problems.
John McEnroe feels this year’s French Open has the “most open” men’s draw for years.
Novak Djokovic will be targeting a third Roland-Garros crown in the last four years, but has been plagued by poor form this calendar year and is yet to win a title in 2024.
There are also doubts over the prospects of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, with the duo hampered by hip and forearm injuries respectively.
“I do believe this is the most open tournament in years,” McEnroe told Eurosport.
“Especially with the uncertainty with a lot of the top players. It’s sort of exciting from a commentator’s point of view. I’m sure it’s very stressful for the players, especially the top players, if they don’t know where they are.
“Obviously, if everyone was healthy you’d have three or four heavy favourites. So at least it opens the door for some other players that wouldn’t normally think they have a shot.
“There are a couple of Americans doing pretty well. Maybe they get more belief, because they’re coming in healthy. It opens the door for some other players.”
McEnroe also looked ahead to one of the most compelling first-round men’s matches.
Andy Murray – making only a second appearance at Roland-Garros since 2017 – returned to action at an ATP Challenger event in Bordeaux two weeks ago following an ankle problem.
His appearance at the French Open is likely to be part of a swansong on the ATP Tour, and he opens his campaign against Stan Wawrinka on Sunday in the first night session.
Murray has faced Wawrinka on both of the last two occasions he has played in Paris.
“It’s crazy and fitting that these two veterans, who’ve struggled with injuries, have to face each other in the first round,” McEnroe added.
“They probably looked at the draw and thought, ‘I don’t want to play a top guy first round,’ and then saw each other’s names.
“It’s bizarre but fitting. How much longer are they going to play? Murray wants to play the Olympics, but who knows?
“Wawrinka’s future is also uncertain. I hope it’s a great match because these are two first-ballot Hall of Famers who have brought so much to the sport, even if they don’t get the recognition they deserve because of the other top guys.
“Hopefully, it will be a good one tomorrow.”
You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+.
