Novak Djokovic has avoided Jannik Sinner’s half of the French Open draw but faces a challenging path as he returns to Roland Garros aiming for a record 25th grand slam singles title. The three-time champion will begin his campaign against Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Djokovic, who has played only two tournaments since the Australian Open due to injury, is in the same half as second seed Alexander Zverev, meaning he cannot face Sinner before the final. His most recent outing was a first-round loss to world No 79 Dino Prizmic at the Italian Open.
Jannik Sinner, the dominant player in men’s tennis, starts against French wildcard Clement Tabur. The Italian, who became the second man to win all Masters 1000 titles, is the favourite in the absence of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
In the women’s draw, Emma Raducanu will face 21-year-old Argentine Solana Sierra in the first round. Raducanu is returning from a two-month injury layoff and lost her first match in Strasbourg this week. Sierra, ranked a career-high No 64, has had a strong clay-court season.
The women’s draw is wide open, with several contenders including defending champion Coco Gauff, world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Swiatek, who has hired a new coach. Swiatek could face Jelena Ostapenko in the third round, against whom she has a 0-6 record.
