Chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, Novak Djokovic will begin his French Open campaign against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round on Sunday. The Serbian is one of the two top contenders for the Roland Garros title this year, along with Jannik Sinner. Both have been drawn in different halves of the French Open draw.
Novak Djokovic could face Jannik Sinner in this year's French Open final. (AP)
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The draw took place on Thursday, and both Djokovic and Sinner will face local players in the first round. Sinner takes on wildcard Clement Tabur. Both players will only face each other if they reach the final.
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner's possible opponents
To reach the final, Djokovic could face two-time Roland Garros runner-up Casper Ruud, Brazil's Joao Fonseca and Alexander Zverev, that is, if he advances through the bracket.
Meanwhile, Sinner's potential opponents are Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Bublik. Defending men's singles champion Carlos Alcaraz has been ruled out due to a wrist injury.
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Zverev's quarter is full of home players. He will face Benjamin Bonzi in his first match and could also face a French player in the third round. The first round will also see Stan Wawinka take on Arthur Fills. This is going to be Wawrinka's final French Open campaign. This will also be Gael Monfils' final French Open, and he will face wild card Hugo Gaston in his opener.
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Zverev's quarter is full of home players. He will face Benjamin Bonzi in his first match and could also face a French player in the third round. The first round will also see Stan Wawinka take on Arthur Fills. This is going to be Wawrinka's final French Open campaign. This will also be Gael Monfils' final French Open, and he will face wild card Hugo Gaston in his opener.
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Seventh seed Taylor Fritz takes on Nishesh Basavareddy in his first-round match. The winner could face Rafael Jodal in the third round. Also, Frances Tiagoe will face Eliot Spizzirri in an all-American match.
Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff in same half
In the women's section, Aryna Sabalenka and defending champion Coco Gauff are in the same half of the draw, and could face each other in the semifinals. Sabalenka will face Jessica Bouzas in the first round and could take on Jessica Pegula later in the tournament. Gauff will face Taylor Townsend in the first round.
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Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina headline the bottom half of the women's draw. Ex-junior world No. 1 Emerson Jones will take on Swiatek in her opening round game. Swiatek could also face Jelena Ostapenko in the last-32 stage. She could also face Marta Kostyuk in the fourth round and a potential rematch against Elina Svitolina.
The fourth quarter of the draw also has some attractive games. Barbora Krejcikova, Karolina Muchova and Jasmine Paolini are close to Rybakina, ahead of a potential quarterfinal against Mirra Andreeva.
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Home/Sports/Tennis/Novak Djokovic handed tricky French Open draw, possible final showdown vs Jannik Sinner awaits
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