Sock loves the red clay; he made it all the way to the fourth round of the French Open a year ago, eventually losing to Rafael Nadalin the fourth round, and he has had respectable results on the surface in Madrid and Rome this spring.
Advertisement
But Radwanska has never advanced beyond the quarters in Paris, and neither has Kerber.
The Serbian has been a beaten finalist three times in Paris, most recently tasting defeat to Stan Wawrinka in 2015.
While most of North America slept the French Open singles draws were released for both the men’s and women’s events.
“I am sorry for my fans in Paris but I very much look forward to returning to Roland Garros in 2017”, said Federer, who was beaten in the quarterfinals past year by eventual champion Stan Wawrinka.
Andy Murray will be the 2 seed at Roland Garros this year.
Paris: World number one Novak Djokovic headed a cast of leading players expressing their disappointment on Friday at Roger Federer’s injury-enforced withdrawal from this year’s French Open. The 31-year-old has cruised through the competition on his home turf at the Geneva Open, but against tepid competition and after some disappointing efforts in 2016.
With just one tournament title in ninth months, Serena Williams went from a no-show to a show-stopper in Rome.
It forced him to scratch from the 2014 World Tour Finals title match against Djokovic in London although he recovered in time to team up with Wawrinka for a first Davis Cup title later in the year.
Nine times former champion Rafa Nadal is also having a resurgent 2016. Yet Williams’s level doesn’t suffer very much if she doesn’t play many meaningful matches. Because of Federer’s pullout, Rafael Nadal will be the number four seed.
Forget said the security plan for the French Open, which was devised in collaboration with Paris police, might result in longer queues at the stadium’s entrances, where metal detectors will be set up.
Roger Federer will not feature due to his ongoing struggles with injuries and the latest of which is a back afflication which may hhave had a hand in his setback in Rome last week when he lost early to rising star Dominic Thiem.
Stan Wawrinka can not be discounted from defending his French Open crown. The defending champion is playing in Geneva this week looking for match practice.
Wawrinka has the ability to rattle the nerves of all his main rivals and if he gets in the “zone”, he will pose a huge threat again. Kei Nishikori could be a contender for the title especially if he can gain confidence by going deep in the draw.
Advertisement
With his 30th birthday just around the corner, Nadal has arguably the toughest draw of the top men but will be buoyed by a recent return to form which saw him claim the Monte Carlo and Barcelona titles. The pressure will come from all the players who are clay-court specialists. If in a big match you feel like you haven’t given everything or you could have done more, that can sit with you for quite a while. Nadal last won the French in 2014 and has not been the same player since.
