Daniil Medvedev claims Roland Garros is ‘more open than ever before

Daniil Medvedev has claimed that Roland Garros is more open than ever before. 14-time champion Rafael Nadal has fitness issues whereas Novak Djokovic is yet to win a single title in the ongoing season. Djokovic was recently stunned by Alejandro Tabilo in the second round of the Italian Open in straight sets.

Furthermore, Nadal also suffered a straight-set loss against Hubert Hurkacz in the second round of the Italian Open. Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner is likely to miss the French Open due to injury.

After his 6-1, 6-4 loss to Tommy Paul, Medvedev was asked about favorites for the Roland Garros. The Russian picked Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz as the top contenders.

“I think if Novak Djokvovic and Carlos Alcaraz play, they’re two big favorites,” Daniil Medvedev said in the press conference. “They like the surface. They can win Grand Slams.

“But now it’s maybe little bit more open than it was ever before. Good for me, too, because usually in Roland Garros I don’t play that well. The more open it is, the better it is for me,” he added.

Medvedev reckons Stefanos Tsitsipas could also be a favorite to go all the way in Paris if he backs his Monte Carlo win with the Italian Open title.

“I think we should go by the ranking: Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, if he plays,” Daniil Medvedev said. “I don’t know. Carlos Alcaraz, if he plays. I don’t know.

“Then it’s me, No. 4. Who won Monte-Carlo? Stef. If he wins here, could be big favorite, for sure. If he wins two Masters 1000s, he’s one of the favorites, too,” he added.

Tsitsipas will face Nicolas Jarry in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open. The Roland Garros will begin on May 20.