Roland-Garros 2023 was one to remember, but the world's very best have already transferred to another surface.
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTThe Grand Slam baton has been handed over from Paris to London.
Just two weeks ago the clay court season culminated in a thrilling instalment of Roland-Garros. Across from Germany, to Spain, to the UK, it’s time for the leading lights to fine tune their grass court game ahead of Wimbledon at the end of this month.
Let's take a look at the key talking points...
In his own words Novak Djokovic continues to "write my own history."
The all-conquering Serb swatted aside all his rivals to rule Roland-Garros once again to launch onto 23 Grand Slams, one clear atop of the men's all-time leaderboard.
The world No.1 is clear favourite to make that No.24 on the luscious lawns of SW19. After a quick holiday, the 36-year-old is setting up camp in London to shoot for an eighth Wimbledon title.
Still clutching the Coupe des Mousquetaires in Paris, Djokovic fired a warning to his rivals.
"The journey is still not over. I feel if I'm winning slams, why even think about ending the career that already has been going on for 20 years," declared Djokovic.
"I still feel motivated. I still feel inspired to play the best tennis at Grand Slams, the ones that count I guess the most in history of our sport. I look forward already to Wimbledon."
With the Australian Open and Roland-Garros trophy scribed with 'Djokovic' already, the Serbian is compiling another Calendar Grand Slam journey. Who can stop him in London?
The four-time defending champion hasn't lost in south west London since retiring from a quarter-final duel with Tomas Berdych at Wimbledon 2017. 28 consecutive match wins and counting…
Over to the women's side and Elena Rybakina is very much in the conversation to retain her crown, despite an early exit in Berlin at the hands of Donna Vekic. Throw into the mix 2022 runner-up Ons Jabeur, versatile Roland-Garros finalist Karolina Muchova too.
World No.1 Iga Swiatek will definitely want to have her say.
The 22-year-old recently clinched a third Roland-Garros title, her fourth major silverware. However, she's yet to transfer her clay and hard-court brilliance to the turf.
"I finished the whole clay court swing so well, that I kind of survived," stated Swiatek in Paris. "I guess I'm never going to kind of doubt my strength again maybe because of that."
Swiatek will need that extensive mental fortitude portrayed in Paris to break new ground on grass. The world No.1's best Wimbledon showing is the fourth round in 2021. In clay court form, Swiatek would storm past that benchmark.
Over to Iga to prove she can become a triple surface threat like the legendary names she's joining in the Grand Slam roll of honour.
The world No.2 skillset of Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz will be eager to bounce back on the grass.
Australian Open champion Sabalenka demonstrated her major pedigree once again, venturing into a career-best Roland-Garros semi-final. Saying that, the 25-year-old let a commanding 5-2 deciding set lead slip to Muchova on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Can the Wimbledon 2021 semi-finalist replicate that form in Wimbledon?
As for Alcaraz, competing at the prestigious Queen's Club this week in west London, he's relatively inexperienced on the grass.
The 20-year-old only had a 4-2 record on grass courts, including his Last 16 spot at Wimbledon last summer, prior to competing at Queen's.
The Spaniard's taste for attacking the net should help him pick up plenty of quick points. Expect Alcaraz to join the second week roster.
Watch any social media clip of Frances Tiafoe and you can't help to crack a smile.
The heart-on-his-sleeve American has backed himself in several ATP videos to break personal milestones in 2023. Make sure you watch the clip below.
Lifting his first grass court title – with some pulsating wins in Stuttgart – tick, breaking into the Top 10, tick. Now what about a Wimbledon runner-up dish at Wimbledon against Djokovic?
Now that would be an immense accomplishment for the 25-year-old. It would also be some ride.
On both the WTA and ATP there are a multitude of up and coming names disrupting the established order. Well, there are also plenty of players who know how to master most at Wimbledon.
2008 was the last time Venus Williams lifted the Wimbledon trophy. The 43-year-old, rolling back the years in Birmingham, is a wild card at SW19 and let's hope an early blockbuster battle lets the five-time Wimbledon winner put on a show.
2013 and 2016 champion Andy Murray has built up plenty of momentum with two recent Challenger titles on grass, meanwhile, 2016 runner-up Milos Raonic and former world No.4 Kei Nishikori will be dangerous opponents for anybody on their comeback trails.
Sport can be very cruel sometimes.
As recently as last June, Estonian Anett Kontaveit was up at world No.2. Unfortunately, the rigours of elite tennis have now taken their toll.
"Today I am announcing that I am ending my career as a competitive athlete. After several doctor’s visits and consultations with my medical team, I have been advised that I have lumbar disc degeneration in my back," the 27-year-old said on social media this week.
"This does not allow for full-scale training or continued competition. Therefore, it is impossible to continue at the top level in such a highly competitive field.
"Tennis has given and taught me a lot, and I am very grateful for that. It has been important for me to bring the Estonian flag to the tennis courts and to be able to play in front of my supporters and fans all over the world."
Kontaveit's "last effort" as a professional player is at Wimbledon. The fierce competitor will leave it all out there before a fond farewell from the tennis community.
ROLAND-GARROS
20 May - 9 June 2024
