Muguruza, Djokovic ready to shine again
Clay courts at Roland Garros benefit stars playing with something to prove
Gusty winds and showers are forecast throughout the French Open, but come rain or shine, Spaniard Garbine Muguruza says she's ready for whatever the next fortnight has in store.
Venezuela-born Muguruza won the title in 2016 and Wimbledon a year later. She returned to form at the start of this year when she reached the Australian Open final.
While only ranked 15th, Muguruza has undoubted Grand Slam credentials, and with the clay courts likely to play heavy and slow, her natural power could come to the fore.
The 26-year-old certainly won't be moaning about the autumnal weather, either, despite being more used to playing with the sun on her back.
“I'm not surprised because also in April I think, when the (clay court) tournaments normally happen, the weather can be like this,” she told reporters on Friday.
“I played many years where the tournament was a little bit rainy and grey. I went well. I'm not too concerned about the weather. I know it's going to be tricky. But I'm excited to be here. I look at it in a positive way, the fact that they can still make another Grand Slam happen.”
Muguruza warmed up for Roland Garros with a strong run in Rome where she beat Coco Gauff, Johanna Konta and Victoria Azarenka before losing a tight semifinal against fellow former French Open champion Simona Halep.
She's back with coach Conchita Martinez, and after a brief lull in her career, appears to be heading up again.
“I think I'm in a good place right now,” said Muguruza, who will open her title quest against Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek.
On the men's side, Novak Djokovic will release any pent up frustration from his undignified U.S. Open exit on his opponents during the French Open and is favoured to claim his second Roland Garros title, says former champion Mats Wilander.
The 33-year-old Serb looked odds-on to win the title at Flushing Meadows, but was defaulted during his fourth round against Pablo Carreno Busta after inadvertently hitting a line judge in the throat with a ball.
It was the only blemish in a year in which Djokovic, the world No. 1, has assembled a 33-1 record, and it deprived him of the chance to reach 18 Grand Slam titles, one behind Rafa Nadal who will be gunning for a 13th French Open crown.
He recovered his poise to win the Rome Masters title and Wilander says Djokovic will use the pain of his U.S. debacle to inflict maximum damage on the Parisian clay.
“I think Novak has kept it inside and thought, `I'm going to take revenge on the situation, on life and on myself,' ” Eurosport expert and seven-time Grand Slam champion Wilander told Reuters.
“He said he would take a look at himself from inside, and he apologized. I think his way of apologizing is to go and kick everyone's butt. He has already done it in Rome, and now in Paris in late September/october, he'll think that clay court is going to be absolutely perfect for me.”
While Nadal has owned Roland Garros since winning his first title there in 2005, the fact the tournament is being played when the courts are less lively than in the early summer means it should suit baseline-hugging Djokovic's power and precision.
“He'll have to fight hard because the points will be long and heavy, but I can't imagine anyone being more prepared for a slowish clay court than Novak,” Wilander said.
“I think Novak is a slight favourite, it means so much. If he gets to 18 (Grand Slam titles) and Nadal is at 19, then you would think he has a good chance then to get in front.”
Roger Federer, who will miss the tournament, leads the way with a men's record 20 Grand Slam titles.