Jannik Sinner handed tough French Open draw

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will play home hope Arthur Rinderknech in his French Open opener. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED May 23, 2025, 01:04 AM

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PARIS – World No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s Grand Slam return after a doping suspension could be a tough one after the Italian was handed a difficult draw at the French Open on May 22.

Sinner, beaten by Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the Italian Open final on May 18 in his comeback tournament, was drawn in the same half as 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, 2024 runner-up Alexander Zverev and several French hopefuls at Roland Garros.

Alcaraz and Sinner, who have claimed the last five Grand Slam titles between them, face potentially tricky first rounds with the Italian meeting France’s Arthur Rinderknech and the defending champion playing Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori.

Former world No. 1 Djokovic could face Sinner in the semi-finals. Jack Draper of Britain, seeded fifth, could play Sinner in the last eight, while Djokovic may face German Zverev for a place in the semis.

In the women’s draw, defending champion Iga Swiatek, struggling for form, will open her campaign against Slovakian Rebecca Sramkova and faces a potential semi-final against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, after a quarter-final clash with 2024 runner-up and Italian Open winner Jasmine Paolini of Italy.

Belarusian Sabalenka takes on Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia in the opening round.

“This season has had ups and downs, but I know my game is there,” Swiatek said after the draw, which was made by Paris Saint-Germain and France footballer Ousmane Dembele.

A first-round match to watch will feature Japan’s Naomi Osaka, a four-time Major champion, and Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa.

On the other side of the draw, second seed Coco Gauff will start her campaign against Australian Olivia Gadecki with a possible all-American semi-final looming against Jessica Pegula, the third seed.

Another American, Madison Keys, could stand in the way of Gauff in the quarter-finals.

The May 25-June 8 French Open is elevating its total purse to €56.352 million (S$82.1 million), an increase of 5.21 per cent compared to 2024. The prize for the men’s and women’s singles winners is €2.55 million, up almost €150,000 compared to 2024.

On the court, Zverev blamed illness after a last-16 elimination by Frenchman Alexandre Muller in the Hamburg Open on May 21 botched his French Open dress rehearsal.

Muller, ranked 40th in the world, won 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5) to reach the quarter-finals, beating a top-five ranked opponent for the first time in his career.

A last-minute entry to the clay-court event, Zverev had hoped to use his hometown tournament to gain momentum for the upcoming French Open.

The German said sickness was behind his lacklustre showing, explaining: “It was OK considering I threw up 37 times and had a fever of 39.4 deg C all night. I was two points away from winning the match. There’s a lot to be said in my favour.”

The 28-year-old said his opponent had taken advantage of his poor condition, adding: “When I had to walk, it was difficult. He then realised at some point I wasn’t feeling well and made the points last as long as possible.”

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Djokovic fared better, securing his first clay-court victory of the 2025 season as he eased into the Geneva Open quarter-finals, defeating Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 6-2, 6-3 on May 21.

It was the Serb’s first win on clay since he claimed the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, having recently suffered early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid.

Djokovic put on a commanding performance, wrapping up the 75-minute match without facing a single break point and dictating play from the baseline with sharp groundstrokes.

“My first win this season on clay. It’s great to break the ice in a way,” Djokovic said on court.

“It is a very demanding surface. We all know how tricky it is to play on clay. Compared to the other surfaces, you always have to expect an extra ball, an extra shot.

“Today, I think that (my serve) was my strongest shot. I think it makes life on the court a bit easier, so I am very glad to be able to play the best tennis when needed.”

Djokovic met Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in the quarter-finals on May 22, but that match ended after press time. REUTERS, AFP

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