Roland-Garros 2022: Djokovic, Nadal, Alcaraz lead men's field
PARIS (AP) — Some of the men to watch at the French Open, which begins Sunday at Roland Garros:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Ranked: 1
Country: Serbia
Age: Turns 35 on Sunday
2022 Record: 12-4
2022 Titles: 1
Career Titles: 87
Grand Slam Titles: 20 — French Open (2016, 2021), Australian Open (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021), Wimbledon (2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021), U.S. Open (2011, 2015, 2018)
Last 5 French Opens: 2021-Won Championship, 2020-Runner-Up, 2019-Lost Semifinal, 2018-QF, 2017-QF
Aces: After legal saga over whether he could stay in Melbourne despite being unvaccinated, was eventually deported and so unable to try to defend his title at the Australian Open in January. ... Also missed two big tournaments in the United States this year because he could not travel there as a foreigner who has not received shots against COVID-19. ... Currently is tied with Roger Federer for the second-highest Grand Slam title total among men, one behind Rafael Nadal. ... Went 27-1 at majors in 2021, coming within a loss in the U.S. Open final of becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win a calendar-year Grand Slam.
The Draw: Could face Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals.
He Said It: “I’m in the right direction. I know I can always play better, and I know that I’m very self-critical on the court. At the same time, realistically looking, I think the tennis — quality of tennis, level of tennis — is really high now.” — Djokovic, offering an assessment of his game before the Italian Open in May.
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ALEXANDER ZVEREV
Ranked: 3
Country: Germany
Age: 25
2022 Record: 24-9
2022 Titles: Zero
Career Titles: 19
Grand Slam Titles: None — Best: RU, U.S. Open (2020)
Last 5 French Opens: 2021-QF, 2020-SF, 2019-4th, 2018-3rd,