French Open Mens Singles 2024: Will Rafael Nadal be crowned the king of clay again?

Andy Schooler previews the 2024 French Open men’s singles – and he’s keen to take on the market leaders.

Thirteen of the last 14 French Open titles have been won by either Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal but I’d be surprised if someone doesn’t break that duopoly in 2024.

Djokovic has struggled, certainly by his high standards, so far this season – he plays in Geneva this week without having won a title in 2024 and desperately trying to find some form for Roland Garros.

Nadal, meanwhile, is still way off his best having only recently returned to action after the best part of a year out.

He has managed to play almost a full clay schedule, only missing Monte Carlo, but the wins that have been so easy to come by in the past haven’t arrived in high enough quantity (or quality). He now also faces the move to best-of-five tennis, which will put additional strain on his fragile body.

Both look potential lays on the exchange but the man I’ll actually recommend taking on is Jannik Sinner.

In my book, he’s been the best player in the world since last year’s Wimbledon but he’s very much under an injury cloud at present with a hip problem the reason for his mid-tournament withdrawal in Madrid and subsequent absence in Rome.

Restricted movement is not what you need on clay and even if Sinner has recovered remarkably, this isn’t his favourite surface as he basically admitted prior to the Monte Carlo Masters which he described as a “practice week”.

“The expectations are not that high for this, beginning the clay season. The goal is to be ready for Roland Garros and then, hopefully, Olympics.”

Fair enough, but things haven’t gone to plan with other key weeks missed – Sinner looks worth laying at 6.6.

With injury doubts also hanging over favourite Carlos Alcaraz (arm) – he at least is a natural on clay – it’s worth considering backing players further down the market.

Casper Ruud has made the last two finals here and has already won in Barcelona during the current clay campaign, as well as finishing runner-up in Monte Carlo.

The Norwegian has often been underrated on his favourite surface and there could be value in his price of 14.5.

Alex Zverev is another who has a strong record at Roland Garros, making the semis in the last three years.

He appears to have found his form at the right time, winning the title in Rome. If he can put questions about his domestic-abuse trial which begins (in his absence) during the tournament, the German could make odds of 8.2 look big.

And for those who like a real long shot, try Nicolas Jarry and/or Taylor Fritz.

Jarry sparkled in Rome, making the final, as he did on the clay of Buenos Aires in February.

The Chilean also made the last 16 in Paris 12 months ago.

The big-hitting Fritz has surprised many on the clay – few Americans perform well on this surface.

However, he’s made the final in Munich, semis in Madrid and quarters in Rome since arriving in Europe – and it’s taken the eventual champion to beat him on each occasion.

Fritz’s price of 130 could come in considerably if he gets a decent draw on Thursday.

Recommended bets:

Lay Jannik Sinner @ 6.6
Back Casper Ruud @ 14.5
Back Alex Zverev @ 8.2
Back Nicolas Jarry @ 150
Back Taylor Fritz @ 130