Novak Djokovic faces a tough route to the French Open final despite landing on the opposite side of the draw to Jannik Sinner, as he bids to win a record-breaking 25th grand slam.
Djokovic's pursuit of a 25th major singles title, which would take him past Margaret Court for the all-time record among male and female players, was seemingly boosted when Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from Roland-Garros due to a wrist injury.
That same issue has also forced Alcaraz to pull out of Wimbledon, potentially opening the door for Djokovic to challenge Sinner at both slams.
But if third seed Djokovic is to go all the way to the showpiece match, he may have to survive a gruelling run.
After opening against six-foot-seven home favourite Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Djokovic
could face another Frenchman, Valentin Royer, in round two.
From there, his path could see him face Joao Fonseca, clay-court specialist Casper Ruud, sixth seed Alex De Minaur and second seed Alexander Zverev, even before a possible showdown with Sinner.
Sinner, who was beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in the longest-ever French Open final last year, will start against French wild card Clement Tabur and would face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semi-finals if the top four seeds make it that far.
Sinner is attempting to complete the career Grand Slam in Paris, having recently clinched the Golden Masters in Rome, completing the set of all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles.
Look who’s there!
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In the women's singles, defending champion Coco Gauff will face Taylor Townsend in an all-American match-up in round one.
Aryna Sabalenka, who was beaten by Gauff in last year's final, starts against Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, while four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek faces Australia's Emerson Jones.
Gauff and Sabalenka could face off in a rematch of the 2025 showpiece at the semi-final stage, with Swiatek and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina on the other side of the draw.
