French Open 2024: Carlos Alcaraz starts strong at Roland Garros

World number three and reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz cruised to a decisive 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 victory over American J.J. Wolf, who ranked 107th, entered the main draw as a ‘lucky loser’ from qualifying.

Alcaraz, 21, who reached the semi-finals last year before being defeated by Novak Djokovic, extended his first-round record at the majors to an impressive 13-0.

Showing no signs of the right arm injury that kept him out of the Rome Open, Alcaraz dominated with 27 winners and broke serve nine times to secure the win.

“I don’t need too many matches to be at my best,” Alcaraz said. “I’ve practiced with a lot of top players in Paris this week, and my forearm is feeling better and better.”

Defending champion Novak Djokovic will start his quest for a fourth French Open title and his 25th major on Tuesday.

“Low expectations and high hopes,” Djokovic commented on Sunday, arriving in Paris without a title in the season for the first time since 2018.

Also on Sunday, 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka and 2016 runner-up Andy Murray faced off for the 23rd time, a rivalry that has included two semi-final clashes in Paris.

Murray, who is playing his final season on tour, could be joined in retirement by 14-time champion Rafael Nadal later this year, although that remains uncertain.

Nadal, turning 38 on June 3, indicated on Saturday that he hasn’t decided on retirement and wanted to “100% keep the door open”.

He missed the tournament in 2023 due to injury, and his 2024 appearance may be short-lived as he faces fourth-ranked Alexander Zverev on Monday.

“There’s a big, big chance that this is going to be my last Roland Garros, but if I have to tell you it’s 100% my last Roland Garros, sorry, but I will not,” Nadal said.

Since his title-winning debut in 2005 at just 19, Nadal has amassed 112 wins in 115 matches at the tournament.

With 22 Grand Slam titles, Nadal stands second only to Djokovic’s 24 on the all-time men’s list, despite a career frequently hindered by injuries.