Some big names are missing, but no shortage of storylines
Nadal’s magic run leads the subplots at Roland Garros
PARIS — Tournament organizers are confident that the absence of Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova from the French Open will just be a footnote when the story of the season’s second Grand Slam is told.
“The absence of these three stars does not weaken the tournament because Roland Garros remains an institution and the Holy Grail for a player,” French tennis historian Jean-Christophe Piffau said on Tuesday.
“The Grand Slam tournaments are anchored in the history of tennis, which is what makes them both special and prized.”
Here are the storylines likely to dominate the French Open, which starts on Sunday:
Perfect 10 for Nadal?
This year Nadal has captured a 10th Monte Carlo Masters and 10th title in Barcelona; now the great Spaniard targets what many in the sport thought was impossible — a 10th French Open title.
The champion in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, Nadal, now 30, was written off when he lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2015 quarterfinals, ending a 39-match win streak in Paris since his stunning loss to Robin Soderling in 2009.
Last year, he played two rounds before a wrist injury forced an early withdrawal.
But he has been rejuvenated in 2017, reaching the Australian Open and Miami final and winning in Madrid for a record-tying 30th Masters title.
Djokovic and Agassi, starstruck double act
When Djokovic completed the career grand slam by winning his first Roland Garros title in 2016, the Serb held all four majors at the same time.
But the former world No 1 has — by his standards — struggled since, admitting motivation has been a problem.
There were signs of life when he reached the Rome Masters final last weekend, where his defeat was soon relegatedinsignificancebyhisnaming US legend Andre Agassi as his new coach.
The announcement came in the wake of Djokovic parting with longtime coach Marian Vajda earlier this month, having also ended a threeyear association with Boris Becker at the end of last season.
Eight-time major winner Agassi, who has only committed to the French Open, has never coached at such a level before and has been away from the sport for more than a decade since retiring in 2006.
The open French Open
Who will be the 2017 women’s champion? Who knows?
The champions from 2010-15 — Serena Williams (2013 and 2015), Maria Sharapova (2012 and 2014), Li Na (2011) and Francesca Schiavone (2010) — are all absent.
Defending champion Garbine Muguruza of Spain picked up a neck injury in Rome and has won just two matches on clay all season.
World No 1 Angelique Kerber’s best run was a 2012 quarterfinal spot. This clay-court season, the German lost in her first time out at Rome after retiring with a back injury after two matches in Madrid.
Simona Halep, the 2014 runnerup in Paris and winner in Madrid this year before being a losing finalist in Rome, looks the most likely champion-in-waiting.
Kvitova, Del Potro — high on emotion
Out of action since injuring her left hand fighting off a knife-wielding burglar at her home in December, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova may yet still be a late entry into Roland Garros where she was a semifinalist in 2012.
She’d be a popular champion as would Juan Martin del Potro, the giant Argentine whose huge potential, illustrated by his 2009 US Open victory, should have been the first chapter in a Grand Slam success story.
However, an agonizing series of wrist injuries pushed him to the brink of retirement before a comeback last year saw him reach the Olympics final.
Practically unplayable on his day, Del Potro was a semifinalist in Paris in 2009 but last played the tournamentin2012,losingatwo-setleadto go down to Roger Federer in the quarterfinals. He’s currently ranked No 33.