Located in the ochre-colored courts of Roland Garros in western Paris, the French Open, held annually in late May, is the second Grand Slam of the season and the only major played on clay. Players must possess exceptional stamina and red clay expertise to navigate the slowest playing surface and endure marathon rallies.
Fierce Battles Continue at 2024 Roland Garros
Image: ©Rolex/Antoine Couvercelle
Since 2019, luxury watchmaker Rolex has become the title partner and official timekeeper of Roland Garros, solidifying partnerships with all four majors. This year marks the first five-year anniversary of their collaboration, with Rolex clocks and timers prominently displayed throughout the venue, sharing in the memories of fans worldwide as the red clay classic unfolds.
In its early stages, the 2024 edition was hit by frequent rain, affecting the schedule. However, the introduction of retractable roofs on Court Suzanne Lenglen has equipped Roland Garros with two covered courts, ensuring top players can proceed as planned, keeping the tournament on track.
In men’s singles, despite defending champion and clay king Rafael Nadal’s upset loss to Zverev in the first round, other top contenders advanced unscathed. Rolex ambassador and Italian #2 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas enjoyed a personal and professional triumph, announcing his relationship with tennis beauty Iga Swiatek and advancing to the quarterfinals without dropping a set. With his Australian Open title earlier this year, Tsitsipas extends his Grand Slam winning streak to 11 matches and aims for the world No. 1 ranking. In the quarters, he faces Bulgarian star and #10 seed Daniil Medvedev, leading their head-to-head 3-1; victory could set up a semi-final showdown with Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz, also a Rolex ambassador, is the #3 seed at 21 years old, reaching the quarterfinals for the third consecutive year. His recent titles at the US Open and Wimbledon highlight his ambitions, with a French Open crown on his radar. In the quarters, he’ll clash with former finalist and #9 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who holds a 5-0 record against him but faced a strong challenge from Crotone winner Tsitsipas at Monte Carlo Masters.
Other Rolex ambassadors like Rune Rasmussen (Denmark), Taylor Fritz (USA), and Jannik Sinner (Italy) have also shown impressive form on clay, with Rasmussen and Sinner closing in on the quarterfinals. Fritz is just one victory away from securing a spot in all four major quarterfinals this year.
Defending world No. 1 Novak Djokovic faced a tough test from young Italian talent Jannik Missett, but managed to advance to the fourth round, where he will face Argentine player Sebastian Korda. In the women’s draw, top seeds like Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elina Rybakina advanced smoothly, setting up an exciting quarterfinals lineup.
Swiatek, the Rolex-sponsored ‘Queen of Clay,’ showed improved form after a narrow escape against Osaka in the second round. She defeated Kuzeykova in straight sets and dismantled Potapova with a double bagel, solidifying her bid for a third consecutive title and a fourth overall within five years. Next, she faces Victoria Azarenka, with a 3-0 head-to-head record in her favor.
Alexandra saline, Ons Jabeur, and Iga Lejankova are among the other top women’s players navigating the lower half of the draw, with their paths leading to potential semifinal showdowns against each other or their opponents.
Chinese player Zhang Zhizhen, a Rolex ambassador, was eliminated in the third round, but the tournament remains open, with the outcome of the women’s singles title yet to be determined. As the second week unfolds, the pressure and anticipation for the ultimate champions, whether it’s the men’s or women’s singles, will intensify with every advancing round. Who will lift the Suzanne Lenglen Cup and the Coupe des Feuilles? Only time will tell!