Alcaraz, Sinner rivalry takes centre stage at French Open; Garcia announces retirement

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner resume the hot-test rivalry in men’s tennis at the French Open, where Novak Djokovic will fly the flag for the old guard as the claycourt Grand Slam enters the post-Rafa Nadal era.

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After Nadal exited the 2024 edition of the major he won a record 14 times, Alcaraz emerged as the Spaniard’s heir apparent with his first Roland Garros title.

Alcaraz has geared up for his title defence with a sparkling campaign on clay this season, with the 22-year-old capturing his first Monte Carlo crown and defeating Sinner in the Italian Open final on Sunday to complete his set of elite claycourt honours.

Sinner showed little sign of rust in his first event back from a three-month ban for two doping violations, and fans will be hoping the world number one scythes through the draw to meet Alcaraz in the final.

Former Roland Garros champion Jim Courier said both players would be feeling confident after the level they showed in Rome.

‘NEW REALITY:’ Djokovic won the last of his record 24 Grand Slam titles at the US Open in 2023 and is enduring one of the worst spells of his magnificent career.

The Serb unexpectedly accepted a wildcard for this week's Geneva Open in a bid to find claycourt form after losing his opening matches at Monte Carlo and Madrid.