French Open 2024: Top Storylines to Track for Entire Tournament Schedule
Whether it's the last hoorah for 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal or Iga Swiatek trying to etch her name into tennis history, this year's edition of the French Open is filled with enticing storylines.
On the men's side, the draw is more open than ever, with reigning champion Novak Djokovic battling illness and issues with form in recent weeks.
Additionally, question marks surround No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz, who, though favored to win the French Open, hasn't played a match since May 1 and has had fitness issues this year.
On the women's side, all players will be attempting to stop Iga Swiatek from winning her third straight French Open title.
While Swiatek will have suitors ready to challenge her, she is currently competing on another level, making the challenge of taking her down that much harder.
With the French Open set to begin tomorrow, there are countless storylines to keep an eye on.
An End of an Era for Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal will be playing in the French Open for the final time in his career.
Throughout the years, Nadal has always been the clear favorite of Roland Garros, with a 112-3 career record.
Yet, if the 14-time French Open champion has any hopes of creating magic one final time, he'll seriously have to up his game.
Nadal has struggled with form since coming back to the tour in 2024 and will begin his final French Open campaign against one of the best players on tour, No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev.
Zverev, who is among the top five favorites to win the French Open, brings added motivation.
Just over two years ago, it was this exact matchup in the 2022 French Open semi-final that Zverev was hoping to win, though he suffered a gruesome injury that forced him to retire and miss extended periods of time.
Like in 2022, Zverev is currently firing on all cylinders, and Nadal will have to seriously up his game.
No matter the outcome, Nadal's final French Open should be memorable, and if Nadal is able to pull off the upset against Zverev, every other player should be on alert.
Iga Swiatek Going for Her 3rd Straight Title
At this point, there is no denying Iga Swiatek's dominance on clay courts.
The world No. 1 has won the French Open in three of the last four years and enters again with incredible momentum, riding a 12-match win streak.
Swiatek, who is 28-2 in the French Open, won't be without her challengers as a potential second-round matchup against Naomi Osaka awaits.
Elsewhere, the possibility of facing Coco Gauff in the semifinals looms.
With a French Open championship this year, Swiatek would become just the third woman in the Open Era to win the French Open for three straight years. Monica Seles (1990–1992) and Justine Henin (2005–2007).
Additionally, Swiatek would become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2013 to win the WTA Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Rome and then the French Open all in the same year.
It is widely expected that Swiatek will be able to accomplish this feat and continue her dominance on clay.
Can Novak Djokovic Stay Healthy?
When talking about Novak Djokovic, physical health is not the first thing that comes up.
Right now, though, it is the Serbian's Achilles' heel.
The clay swing has been a struggle for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who has dealt with illness much of the season.
Djokovic has played just six clay court matches this season and has already lost two of them.
While playing in a tune-up tournament at the Geneva Open seemed like a smart idea, it left us with more questions than answers.
Again, the world No. 1 struggled with illness, which impacted his ability to get into a physical match.
The defending French Open champion is currently operating as a shell of himself, and if he has any hopes of remaining world No. 1, he will have to stay healthy.
If healthy, only Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud stand in the way of Djokovic getting back to the final, a matchup that would not even take place until the quarterfinals.
Bottom Half of Men's Draw Seems Wide Open
French Open favorite Carlos Alcaraz and No. 3 seed Jannik Sinner both occupy seeds in the bottom half of the draw.
Sinner has not played a match since April 30, while Alcaraz has not played a match since May 1.
Sinner has in recent weeks struggled with fitness, bringing into question how his body will hold up if he is forced to play a five-set match, or multiple ones, rather.
While there's no denying Alacaraz's dominance, he too has struggled with form and fitness issues this season.
With so much uncertainty surrounding the top two seeds in the bottom half of the draw, this could be the perfect opportunity for Stefanos Tstisipas to get back to the French Open final for the first time since 2021.
If it's not Tstisipas, look for an under-the-radar player such as No. 20 seed Sebastian Baez or No. 24 seed Alejandro Tabilo to go on a deep run.