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French Open

January

Jannik Sinner and Alex de Minaur after the Italian’s quarter-final victory.

The numbers that show Alex de Minaur is running out of time

An analysis of the past 50 years of tennis majors shows that winning after turning 26 is a rarity, but one player should give de Minaur hope.

November 2024

Reigning champion Rafael Nadal has crashed out of the Australian Open in straight sets after losing in the second round to American McKenzie McDonald. GIF.

Nadal leaves court after two decades of epic wins and rivalries

The Spanish tennis legend has won a whopping 14 French Open championships alone and retires as one of the greatest men’s players in history.

October 2024

Rafael Nadal looked sensational as he took down Jason Kubler on Thursday night at the Brisbane International in January.

22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal to retire

“I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best, of having made an effort in every way,” the Spanish superstar said.

September 2024

Popyrin remains upbeat after crashing out of US Open

Australia’s shooting star was unable to back up his mighty third-round win over the great Novak Djokovic, succumbing to his friend and foe Frances Tiafoe.

June 2024

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz is greeted by the ball kids on the stairs to the locker room after victory at the French Open.

Alcaraz joins all-time greats with French Open triumph

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man to capture Grand Slams on all three surfaces after his epic French Open final win against Germany’s Alexander Zverev.

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Alex de Minaur loses his quarter final to Germany’s Alexander Zverev.

De Minaur’s gritty Paris bid ends in quarters

Alex De Minaur’s golden run at the French Open has come to an end, with the Australian losing in straight sets to German world no.4 Alexander Zverev.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic slipped and fell during his fourth round match, which he won.

Djokovic pulls out of French Open with knee injury

Novak Djokovic was diagnosed with a torn medial meniscus, ensuring that Jannik Sinner will become the new men’s world No.1.

Alex De Minaur celebrates winning his fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev.

‘I love the clay’: De Minaur floors Medvedev to reach quarters

Alex de Minaur says beating the Russian to become the first Australian man to make the French Open quarter-finals in two decades is the biggest win of his career.

May 2024

Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts as he plays against Germany’s Alexander Zverev during their first round match.

Nadal loses in the French Open’s first round

The loss to Alexander Zverev knocked the 14-time Roland Garros champion out of his favourite tournament.

January 2024

Why elite tennis could finally be at a tipping point

The potential for Saudi Arabian money to disrupt the game the same way as golf was upended in 2022 is putting the sport on notice. Many think change is overdue.

Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates winning against Tamara Korpatsch of Germany during day two of the  2024 Brisbane International.

New mum Osaka tested in victory on tour return

Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka beat Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch in a match that mixed her thunderous best with some forgettable moments.

September 2023

Novak Djokovic lifts his daughter Tara after defeating Daniil Medvedev to win the US Open.

Djokovic wins US Open for historic 24th grand slam

Using every ounce of his energy and some serve-and-volley guile, an old man with new tricks emerged for a 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 victory at Flushing Meadows.

July 2023

‘We’re human and make mistakes’: a Wimbledon line judge on AI’s rise

The men’s ATP Tour will replace human line judges by an electronic calling system – which uses a combination of cameras and AI technology – from 2025.

Carlos Alcaraz lifts the Wimbledon trophy.

Alcaraz win starts a generational war in tennis

The young Spaniard is the standard-bearer of the next group of players who are supposed to move the sport beyond the era of the big three.

Venus Williams goes down injured in her clash with Elina Svitolina.

Venus’ record 24th Wimbledon ends at first hurdle

The five-time champion went down to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina after an early fall in the match hindered her movement.

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June 2023

Novak Djokovic.

GOAT? Djokovic captures French Open and 23rd Grand Slam title

The Serbian powerhouse finally stands alone – ahead of Rafael Nadal, ahead of Roger Federer, ahead of every man who ever has swung a racket.

Poland’s Iga Swiatek holds the trophy as she celebrates winning the women’s final match of the French Open.

Swiatek reigns supreme at French Open

Poland’s Iga Swiatek continued her dominance on Parisian clay with a third French Open crown in the last four years.

Djokovic advances to French Open final after Alcaraz cramps up

Novak Djokovic will play his 34th grand slam final, his seventh at Roland Garros, where he lifted the Musketeers’ Cup twice.

May 2023

Rafael Nadal

‘Say goodbye’: Injured Rafael Nadal reveals retirement plans

The “King of Clay” is tied with Novak Djokovic for the men’s record, with 22 Grand Slam singles titles. But the 37-year-old has suffered a string of injuries.

January 2023

John Millman, 33, reached the second round of this year’s Australian Open.

Djokovic could break record set in 1972

Massively increased prizemoney and better sport science mean tennis players are sticking around for longer, says John Millman.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/french-open-tennis-5xk