Photo Source: Alcaraz
Paris – Day 2 of Roland-Garros continues first-round action, as Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek all play their first-round matches.
See the Day 2 Order of Play here.
Here’s what we’ll be keeping tabs on.
Defending champs take the court
2024 champions Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek take the court for their first-round matches on Monday, with Swiatek opening the day on Chatrier against Rebecca Sramkova, while Alcaraz treks to Court Suzanne-Lenglen to take on Italy’s Giulio Zeppieri.
Swiatek has won 21 straight at Roland-Garros, but the four-time champion has a difficult draw this year. That said her first week is manageable so look for the Pole to come out on a mission ready to re-establish her confidence.
Alcaraz, fresh off titles in Monte-Carlo and Rome this spring, hopes to establish himself as the game’s premier clay-courter in Paris.
Both Swiatek and Alcaraz will no doubt be inspired after watching Rafael Nadal’s emotional farewell ceremony on Sunday in Paris. Gasquet on Chatrier
It will be another emotional day on Court Phillipe-Chatrier as Richard Gasquet takes the court to begin his last Roland-Garros appearance.
The 38-year-old Frenchman, who owns 609 career wins, will face compatriot Terrence Atmane.
“It's the end, maybe the last match of your career,” Gasquet said in his pre-tournament press conference. “It's special, but I'm happy to do this, I'm happy to play here one last time. I'm practically 39 years old. I never thought I was going to be playing for such a long time.
“So I'm lucky enough to be able to do it here one last time. I know what that represents, to play in a tournament like this. So I'm going to try to enjoy it from beginning to end and give my all. It's sport. You never know what's going to happen.
“I don't know if I'm calm, but in any case, I want it, and I'm going to enjoy it.”
Popcorn and More
Madison Keys will put her seven-match Grand Slam winning streak on the line against Australia’s Daria Saville on Court Simonne-Mathieu, while Arthur Fils will bid for his first Roland-Garros win against Nicolas Jarry on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
Caroline Garcia, also playing her final Roland-Garros, will face American Bernarda Pera on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.