The Extra Open, the Higher

Daniil Medvedev suffered a tricky loss to Tommy Paul on Tuesday in Rome, however the Russian likes the best way he’s enjoying on clay and nonetheless sees himself with a very good probability to make a deep run in Paris this 12 months.

Requested to interrupt down this 12 months’s Roland Garros favorites by a reporter, Medvedev mentioned that Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz ought to be thought-about No.1 and No.2, given how nicely they’ll play on clay.

“I feel if Novak and Carlos play, they’re two large favorites,” he mentioned. “They just like the floor. They will win Grand Slams.”

However, Medvedev says, this 12 months’s important attract Paris may very well be extra large open than it has been in practically 20 years. With Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner nonetheless working via critical accidents, Djokovic with no ultimate to his title but in 2024, and Nadal removed from his peak, it seems that another names have a much bigger shot than ever to carry the Coupe des Mousquetaires aloft on Sunday June 10.

Medvedev additionally gave a nod to Stefanos Tsitsipas, who remains to be alive within the Rome draw as he pursues his second clay-court Masters title of 2024.

“If he wins right here, may very well be large favourite, for positive,” Medvedev mentioned of the Eighth-ranked Greek. “If he wins two Masters 1000s, he is one of many favorites, too.”

Vast open works simply fantastic for Medvedev…

“Now it is perhaps somewhat bit extra open than it was ever earlier than,” Medvedev mentioned. “Good for me, too, as a result of often in Roland Garros I do not play that nicely. The extra open it’s, the higher it’s for me.”