Nadal-Zverev, Swiatek, Sinner, Gauff, Collins and Tsitsipas headline Manic Monday schedule at 2024 French Open

Monday, 27 May 2024 at 08:59

The schedule is confirmed for Monday at the 2024 French Open with the King and Queen of Clay in the form of Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek headlining proceedings on the clay courts of Roland Garros.

Our preview takes you through the leading talking points as well as the matches to watch from all courts as we cast an eye on the first round of the French Open which continues on Monday.

Nadal v Zverev headlines schedule

Unfortunately for Iga Swiatek, she is a bit of a foot note in the story despite her incredible dominance over the years at Roland Garros and her strangehold on the Suzanne-Lenglen Trophy. She will begin her title defence, but it is Rafael Nadal who will take centre stage.

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In fact the eyes of the sporting world will be glued to the screen on Monday afternoon waiting for the the greatest clay court player of the open era to make his potential final bow at the French Open. Or will it be? He has hinted that he may return next year and in facing Alexander Zverev, it is seemingly likely that he will do so if he gets a towelling which could yet be in the offing.

Zverev is not one for reputation and often uses adversity that he faces in order to fuel him. In particular with various scandals in his personal life including an impending abuse case in Berlin, he has a dark cloud certainly hanging over him. Already seen by some as tennis enemy number one, he will be even more so if he ends the clay court career of Rafael Nadal.

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It is also a story of redemption for Zverev. He was just about over the line against Nadal two years ago in the semi-finals when it looked like his landmark title run was coming and bang, his ankle went and he was on the shelf for a considerable amount of time. He has only just won a title above 500 level now for the first time since then sealing Rome last week. So as a result, he perhaps heads into this year's Roland Garros as one of the main favourites and the one with the most form on paper.

Nadal on the otherhand is looking to put things right. A pretty up and down clay court foray, he ended up getting pulped by Hubert Hurkacz in Rome and aside from wins over Alex de Minaur and Pedro Cachin for instance haas looked like he has lost a step at times. But as ever tennis fans are the worst hopeless romantics in the game. Despite the lack of evidence to suggest Nadal will put up a serious fight, he is still up there in the reckoning and was fourth favourtie for the tournament. Will he upset the apple cart tomorrow and keep the train rolling, or will Zverev send it crashing off the tracks.

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Swiatek upstaged as Collins shunted onto outside courts

Before that are two of the best players in the WTA side who will take to the court during the early day session. Like alluded to, the Queen of Clay perhaps has had her thunder taken. But truthfully she thrives best off the attention being off her.

That is ominous for Iga Swiatek who often shirks playing during high profile slots to very much get on with her business without late finishes or the spotlight on her. She faces Leolia Jeanjean who has form for runs at Roland Garros. But will she be a roadblock to a tie with Naomi Osaka which has been set or will Swiatek simply go about her business in the clinical style we are accustomed.

Queen of Clay upstaged by the King as Iga Swiatek begins campaign.

Ons Jabeur is on before which is perhaps a slight misstep from the organisers. Not in great form and despite being great on clay has perhaps taken the spot of one of the best players in the WTA right now. Danielle Collins gets a lowly court placing of Court 6 to face Caroline Dolehide so those getting an outer court ticket will get a treat in the Danimal. But can Sascia Vickery spring a shock?

To end off the day is the entertainer himself and a real French hero, Gael Monfils who will take to the court in the night session to face a clay court whizz himself in Thiago Seyboth Wild. A true underrated match of the day contender and one that could go the full distance.

Sinner, Tsitsipas, Gauff, Svitolina, Sakkari and Medvedev among leading lights elsewhere

Talk about Collins being shunted off onto an outside court, perhaps the talking points also come from the other show courts with plenty of top names starting their campaigns not on Philippe Chatrier.

Jannik Sinner who is World No.1 elect and is one of the favourites for the title plays in the morning on Monday. He takes on Christopher Eubanks. Stefanos Tsitsipas follows up against Marton Fucsovics, the perennial loser when it comes to getting rough Grand Slam draws.

Whilst to end Suzanne-Lenglen back to back, we get Coco Gauff starting her campaign followed by Elina Svitolina v Karolina Pliskova. Wall-to-wall entertainment. No mind Maria Sakkari and Daniil Medvedev both playing on Simonne-Mathieu. As well as Arthur Fils v Matteo Arnaldi.

Ben Shelton, Anna Kalinskaya, Leylah Fernandez, Tommy Paul, Jasmine Paolini and the return of Bianca Andreescu all lead a real Manic Monday and one not to be missed.