When is the 2024 French Open? Dates, who is playing, how to watch

The 2024 French Open will see the top men’s and women’s tennis players battle it out on clay across two weeks at Roland-Garros.

Novak Djokovic will have his sights set on a record-extending 25th Grand Slam crown, while Iga Swiatek is aiming to win the tournament for a fourth time.

Eurosport and discovery+ will be the exclusive home of the French Open in the UK this year, and here’s all you need to know about the Grand Slam, including when it starts, who should be playing, how to watch every match and what else is in store…

When is the 2024 French Open?

Qualifying for the 2024 French Open starts on Monday, May 20 and finishes on Friday, May 24.

The main draw starts on Sunday, May 26 and the men’s and women’s singles finals are on the weekend of June 8.

There will be a night session every day from Monday, May 27 until the semi-finals.

The men’s singles and women’s singles draws will take place on Thursday, May 23.

What’s the 2024 French Open schedule?

All times are UK time

  • Men’s and women’s first round – May 28, 29, 30 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm on May 29 and 30)
  • Men’s and women’s second round – May 31, June 1 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm)
  • Men’s and women’s third round – June 2, 3 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm)
  • Men’s and women’s fourth round – June 4, 5 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm)
  • Men’s and women’s quarter-finals – June 6, 7 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm)
  • Women’s semi-finals – June 8 (play starts 2pm)
  • Men’s semi-finals – June 9 (play starts 1.45pm)
  • Women’s final – June 10 (2pm)
  • Men’s final – June 11 (2pm)

How can I watch and stream the French Open?

You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live on Eurosport, eurosport.co.uk, the Eurosport app and on-demand on discovery+.

Enjoy the action ad-free on the Eurosport app and via eurosport.co.uk. Download the Eurosport app now for iOS and Android.

As well as coverage from around Roland-Garros, there will be expert analysis from on-site and in The Cube from Mats Wilander, Barbara Schett, Tim Henman, Alex Corretja and more.

Will Rafael Nadal play and Novak Djokovic play?

Both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have been struggling with their form ahead of the French Open.

The Spaniard, 37, missed nearly the entirety of the 2023 season due to injury, and has failed to hit top form since returning to the tour.

Djokovic will compete at the French Open and will aim for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

He has taken time away from the sport in 2024, meaning the number of events he has featured in has been limited.

The most recent of those was the Italian Open, where he made a third-round exit, just days after being struck on the head by a bottle, an incident which he said has “impacted me a lot.”

Will Andy Murray play the French Open?

The three-time Grand Slam champion has only played in the tournament once since 2017, but he did make the semi-finals four times in a row between 2014 and 2017, including in 2016 when he was runner-up.

But he returned to the practice court last month, before making his return to competitive tennis in a challenger event in Bordeaux in mid-May, and then at the Geneva Open.

Who are the defending champions?

Djokovic won the French Open for a third time last year, beating Casper Ruud in straight sets in the final.

Swiatek has won the women’s tournament in each of the last two years, with the 2023 crown earned through a three-set victory over Karolína Muchova.

Stream the 2024 French Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

When is the 2024 French Open? Dates, who is playing, how to watch

The 2024 French Open will see the top men’s and women’s tennis players battle it out on clay across two weeks at Roland-Garros.

Novak Djokovic will have his sights set on a record-extending 25th Grand Slam crown, while Iga Swiatek is aiming to win the tournament for a fourth time.

Here’s all you need to know about the Paris Slam, including when it starts, who will be playing, how to watch every match and what else is in store…

When is the 2024 French Open?

Qualifying for the 2024 French Open starts on Monday, May 20 and finishes on Friday, May 24.

The main draw starts on Sunday, May 26 and the men’s and women’s singles finals are on the weekend of June 8.

There will be a night session every day from Monday, May 27 until the semi-finals.

The men’s singles and women’s singles draws will take place on Thursday, May 23.

How can I watch and stream the French Open?

You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live on Eurosport and discovery+.

As well as coverage from around Roland-Garros, there will be expert analysis from on-site and in The Cube from Mats Wilander, Barbara Schett, Tim Henman, Alex Corretja and more.

What’s the 2024 French Open schedule?

All times are UK time

  • Men’s and women’s first round – May 28, 29, 30 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm on May 29 and 30)
  • Men’s and women’s second round – May 31, June 1 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm)
  • Men’s and women’s third round – June 2, 3 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm)
  • Men’s and women’s fourth round – June 4, 5 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm)
  • Men’s and women’s quarter-finals – June 6, 7 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm)
  • Women’s semi-finals – June 8 (play starts 2pm)
  • Men’s semi-finals – June 9 (play starts 1.45pm)
  • Women’s final – June 10 (2pm)
  • Men’s final – June 11 (2pm)

Will Rafael Nadal play and Novak Djokovic play?

Both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have been struggling with their form ahead of the French Open.

The Spaniard, 37, missed nearly the entirety of the 2023 season due to injury, and has failed to hit top form since returning to the tour.

Djokovic will compete at the French Open and will aim for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

He has taken time away from the sport in 2024, meaning the number of events he has featured in has been limited.

The most recent of those was the Italian Open, where he made a third-round exit, just days after being struck on the head by a bottle, an incident which he said has “impacted me a lot.”

Will Andy Murray play the French Open?

The three-time Grand Slam champion has only played in the tournament once since 2017, but he did make the semi-finals four times in a row between 2014 and 2017, including in 2016 when he was runner-up.

But he returned to the practice court last month, before making his return to competitive tennis in a challenger event in Bordeaux in mid-May, and then at the Geneva Open.

Who are the defending champions?

Djokovic won the French Open for a third time last year, beating Casper Ruud in straight sets in the final.

Swiatek has won the women’s tournament in each of the last two years, with the 2023 crown earned through a three-set victory over Karolína Muchova.

Stream the 2024 French Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

When is the 2024 French Open? Dates, who is playing, how to watch

The 2024 French Open will see the top men’s and women’s tennis players battle it out on clay across two weeks at Roland-Garros.

Novak Djokovic will have his sights set on a record-extending 25th Grand Slam crown, while Iga Swiatek is aiming to win the tournament for a fourth time.

Here’s all you need to know about the Paris Slam, including when it starts, who will be playing, how to watch every match and what else is in store…

When is the 2024 French Open?

Qualifying for the 2024 French Open starts on Monday, May 20 and finishes on Friday, May 24.

The main draw starts on Sunday, May 26 and the men’s and women’s singles finals are on the weekend of June 8.

There will be a night session every day from Monday, May 27 until the semi-finals.

The men’s singles and women’s singles draws will take place on Thursday, May 23.

How can I watch and stream the French Open?

You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live on Eurosport and discovery+.

As well as coverage from around Roland-Garros, there will be expert analysis from on-site and in The Cube from Mats Wilander, Barbara Schett, Tim Henman, Alex Corretja and more.

What’s the 2024 French Open schedule?

All times are UK time

  • Men’s and women’s first round – May 28, 29, 30 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm on May 29 and 30)
  • Men’s and women’s second round – May 31, June 1 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm)
  • Men’s and women’s third round – June 2, 3 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm)
  • Men’s and women’s fourth round – June 4, 5 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm)
  • Men’s and women’s quarter-finals – June 6, 7 (play starts 10am, night session scheduled to start at 7.15pm)
  • Women’s semi-finals – June 8 (play starts 2pm)
  • Men’s semi-finals – June 9 (play starts 1.45pm)
  • Women’s final – June 10 (2pm)
  • Men’s final – June 11 (2pm)

Will Rafael Nadal play and Novak Djokovic play?

Both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have been struggling with their form ahead of the French Open.

The Spaniard, 37, missed nearly the entirety of the 2023 season due to injury, and has failed to hit top form since returning to the tour.

Djokovic will compete at the French Open and will aim for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

He has taken time away from the sport in 2024, meaning the number of events he has featured in has been limited.

The most recent of those was the Italian Open, where he made a third-round exit, just days after being struck on the head by a bottle, an incident which he said has “impacted me a lot.”

Will Andy Murray play the French Open?

The three-time Grand Slam champion has only played in the tournament once since 2017, but he did make the semi-finals four times in a row between 2014 and 2017, including in 2016 when he was runner-up.

But he returned to the practice court last month, before making his return to competitive tennis in a challenger event in Bordeaux in mid-May, and then at the Geneva Open.

Who are the defending champions?

Djokovic won the French Open for a third time last year, beating Casper Ruud in straight sets in the final.

Swiatek has won the women’s tournament in each of the last two years, with the 2023 crown earned through a three-set victory over Karolína Muchova.

Stream the 2024 French Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Djokovic takes wild card to appear at Geneva Open in hunt for first trophy of 2024

Novak Djokovic has accepted a wild card for the Geneva Open as he searches for form ahead of the French Open.

The world No. 1 rarely takes part in a tournament in the week ahead of a Grand Slam, but with Roland-Garros fast approaching, he will turn out in Switzerland.

A metal bottle came loose from a fan’s backpack and injured Djokovic, and though he was able to play Alejandro Tabilo, he was far from his best as he slumped to a defeat.

Djokovic went back to his native Serbia for scans on the injury, but reports suggested he was cleared to play once more.

After the loss, Djokovic said it was like “a different player entered in my shoes”, after an oddly poor display.

The 36-year-old has yet to win a title this season, and he joins another veteran in Geneva, Andy Murray, as a wild card.

Unlike Murray, he will be seeded as No. 1, moving Casper Ruud into second spot.

The French Open will start on May 26, running until June 9.

Stream the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+

Nadal: Murray was the only player close to level of Federer, Djokovic and myself

Rafael Nadal has hailed Andy Murray as the closest to “the same level” of tennis’ big three of the last two decades, as the British star gears up for what is expected to be his final French Open.

Murray is on the comeback trail after another year full of injuries, making his return at the Geneva Open later this month. He is widely expected to have one more appearance at both Wimbledon and the US Open before calling time on his career.

Those are the two Grand Slam titles he has won – the former on home soil in 2013 and 2016, after victory in New York City in 2012. That career return, and over £50 million in prize money, would be viewed a lot more fondly in any other generation.

Unfortunately for Murray, he has shared an era with the three most successful men in tennis history. Novak Djokovic is on 24 Grand Slam wins and counting, Nadal trailling on 22, and the retired Roger Federer on 20.

Affecting his shot at glory throughout was also a battle with injury. Indeed, the 36-year-old has played in just one French Open match since making the 2017 semi-finals at Roland-Garros.

Reflecting on the career of Murray, Nadal told reporters at the Italian Open: “I don’t like to say he deserved more or less, because at the end it’s just like, if I say I deserve more, if I didn’t have injuries. No, I don’t, because I had the injuries.

“He had a lot of finals. He was an amazing player that probably played in a difficult moment of the history of tennis, because, he shared the tour at the prime time of Novak, Roger and myself. And he was, in my feeling, the one that he was at the same level than us, in general terms.

“Then, in terms of victories, it’s true that he achieved less, but in terms of level of tennis, in terms of holding mentally, the winning spirit week after week… He was the only one that was very close to, to be at the same level as us.”

Nadal was speaking after his victory over Zizou Bergs on Thursday, in which the Spanish icon came from a set down. He will play Hubert Hurkacz next up in the round of 64, as he steps up his preparation for Paris.

The 14-time king of clay at the French Open said: “I have Roland-Garros in just two weeks and a half. So the moment arrived that I need to prove myself if I am able to push my body to the limit, that I need to push to feel myself ready for what’s coming.

“I’m not talking about only about Roland-Garros, I am talking about the next matches. I need to lose this fear – matches like today help. Some moments I was moving faster, some moments not. I need to get used to taking that risk. But it’s a moment to make that happen. And I feel more ready to try it than before.”

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+.

Are Nadal, Alcaraz, Djokovic playing Italian Open? When does it start?

The clay swing heads to Rome in May for the Italian Open as preparations continue for the French Open.

The combined ATP and WTA 1000 event is the last big tournament before players make their way to Roland-Garros, which starts on Sunday, May 26, live on Eurosport and discovery+.

Last year saw Daniil Medvedev and Elena Rybakina claim the singles titles, but will they repeat their respective triumphs this season?

The Italian Open will see almost all the top stars from both tours in action, and we run through all you need to know, including when it starts, what’s the schedule, when is the draw, and who’s playing…

When is the Italian Open?

Qualifying for the Italian Open starts on Monday, May 6 ahead of the main draw on Wednesday, May 8.

The finals will be held on the weekend of May 18.

As with the Madrid Open, the 32 seeds get a first-round bye so they enter the tournament in the second round.

Play will start at 10am UK time every day until Thursday, May 16 when it begins at midday. There will be evening sessions starting at 6pm each day until finals weekend, when play starts at midday on both days.

When is the Italian Open draw?

The draw is expected to be held on Monday, May 6.

Are Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal playing the Italian Open?

Both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal look set to play in Rome.

It will be the first clay tournament that the two tennis greats have contested since the 2022 French Open, when Nadal beat Djokovic on his way to a 14th title.

Djokovic missed the Madrid Open and has only played one clay tournament in Monte Carlo, where he made the semis.

He is a 10-time winner of the Italian Open and looks set to play the tournament for the final time ahead of his potential retirement this year.

Will Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner play the Italian Open?

Both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have injury concerns ahead of the Italian Open.

Alcaraz has been battling a forearm injury that forced him to miss Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He made the quarter-finals in Madrid but admitted to having “difficult feelings” towards the end of his loss against Andrey Rublev.

After a stunning start to the year the Italian could have a chance to get to world No. 1 in Rome if he is healthy to play.

Who else is playing the Italian Open?

Defending champion Daniil Medvedev will be back in Rome along with Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud.

Andy Murray will not be playing as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will lead the women’s draw.

picture

Elena Rybakina celebrates winning the Italian Open in 2023

Image credit: Getty Images

Neither won the title last year as Swiatek retired with injury in the quarter-finals and Sabalenka was shocked in the second round by Sofia Kenin.

Elena Rybakina was the champion in 2023 and she will be aiming to continue her strong start to the season with another title run.

World No. 3 Coco Gauff could close the gap on world No. 1 Swiatek if she can go far in Rome.

Emma Raducanu’s participation is uncertain. She has not been announced as a wildcard entry but could enter qualifying with her protected ranking.

When is the French Open?

The 2024 French Open main draw starts on Sunday, May 26, with the tournament one of two Grand Slams, along with the Australian Open, that is run over 15 days instead of 14 this year.

The singles finals will be held on the weekend of June 8.

Play starts at 10am UK time every day except for finals weekend, and there will be an evening session scheduled from 7.15pm UK time every day until the semi-finals start on Thursday, June 6.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+

Madrid Open: Are Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz and Raducanu playing?

The Madrid Open will feature the top stars from the ATP and WTA tours.

Carlos Alcaraz has won the men’s title the last two successive years and is bidding to become the first player to win three in a row.

The women’s trophy was won by Aryna Sabalenka as she beat Iga Swiatek in the final.

Who’s playing the Madrid Open this season? Are Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz, Swiatek and Sabalenka playing? When is the draw?

When is the Madrid Open?

The WTA main draw at the Madrid Open starts on Tuesday, April 23 and the ATP main draw starts on Wednesday, April 24.

Play starts at 10am UK time every day until midway through the second week. From May 1 to May 3, play begins at midday UK time, and on finals weekend play starts at 2.30pm.

There are also night sessions running from April 26 to May 3 which start at 7pm.

The women’s final will be held on Saturday, May 4 and the men’s final will be on Sunday, May 5.

When is the Madrid Open draw?

The women’s singles draw will be held on Sunday, April 21 at 5pm UK time and the men’s draw will be on Monday, April 22.

Who is playing the Madrid Open?

The Madrid Open was set to be the first clay event that both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have played since the 2022 French Open – until Djokovic pulled out.

Djokovic has not given a reason for his withdrawal, but his absence means world No. 2 Jannik Sinner will be the top seed.

Nadal will be unseeded as he continues his comeback using a protected ranking.

Carlos Alcaraz’s status is unknown after he missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona due to an arm injury.

The world No. 3 is in Madrid ahead of the tournament, but said last week in Barcelona: “My goal is to try and go to the Madrid Open, but at the moment nothing is certain.

“I was given specific recovery times and I’ve respected them, but I haven’t felt good. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”

Alcaraz hasn’t played since losing in the Miami Open quarter-finals.

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will headline the women’s draw.

The pair contested the final in Madrid last year and as the top two seeds could meet again with the trophy on the line.

picture

Aryna Sabalenka won Madrid in 2023

Image credit: Getty Images

Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina will be among those looking to challenge for the title, while two-time champion Simona Halep and former runner-up Caroline Wozniacki have both got wildcards.

This will be Halep’s second tournament since returning to the tour after her doping ban was reduced from four years to nine months.

Naomi Osaka is also on the entry list but Emma Raducanu isn’t currently in the draw.

However, as she is not ranked high enough for entry, unless she gets a late wildcard she looks set to miss Madrid.

Djokovic set for Rome return

This is only the third time since 2015 that Djokovic has not won a title by this stage of the season.

The other two times were in 2022, when he was unable to play in Australia or the United States due to being unvaccinated for Covid-19, and 2018, when he had elbow surgery early in the year.

This season he had only played three tournaments before Monte Carlo, losing to Alex de Minaur at the United Cup, Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semis, and then the upset in the third round at Indian Wells against lucky loser Luca Nardi.

It looks like he is next going to play the Italian Open, which starts on May 8, as he builds up for the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympics.

“I want to reach my peak for Paris – that’s where I want to play my best tennis,” said Djokovic in Monte Carlo.

“Anything else is a bonus, so let’s see what happens.”

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+

Madrid Open: Are Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz and Raducanu playing?

The Madrid Open will feature the top stars from the ATP and WTA tours.

Carlos Alcaraz has won the men’s title the last two successive years and is bidding to become the first player to win three in a row.

The women’s trophy was won by Aryna Sabalenka as she beat Iga Swiatek in the final.

Who’s playing the Madrid Open this season? Are Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz, Swiatek and Sabalenka playing? When is the draw?

When is the Madrid Open?

The WTA main draw at the Madrid Open starts on Tuesday, April 23 and the ATP main draw starts on Wednesday, April 24.

Play starts at 10am UK time every day until midway through the second week. From May 1 to May 3, play begins at midday UK time, and on finals weekend play starts at 2.30pm.

There are also night sessions running from April 26 to May 3 which start at 7pm.

The women’s final will be held on Saturday, May 4 and the men’s final will be on Sunday, May 5.

When is the Madrid Open draw?

The women’s singles draw will be held on Sunday, April 21 at 5pm UK time and the men’s draw will be on Monday, April 22.

Who is playing the Madrid Open?

The Madrid Open was set to be the first clay event that both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have played since the 2022 French Open – until Djokovic pulled out.

Djokovic has not given a reason for his withdrawal, but his absence means world No. 2 Jannik Sinner will be the top seed.

Nadal will be unseeded as he continues his comeback using a protected ranking.

Carlos Alcaraz’s status is unknown after he missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona due to an arm injury.

The world No. 3 is in Madrid ahead of the tournament, but said last week in Barcelona: “My goal is to try and go to the Madrid Open, but at the moment nothing is certain.

“I was given specific recovery times and I’ve respected them, but I haven’t felt good. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”

Alcaraz hasn’t played since losing in the Miami Open quarter-finals.

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will headline the women’s draw.

The pair contested the final in Madrid last year and as the top two seeds could meet again with the trophy on the line.

picture

Aryna Sabalenka won Madrid in 2023

Image credit: Getty Images

Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina will be among those looking to challenge for the title, while two-time champion Simona Halep and former runner-up Caroline Wozniacki have both got wildcards.

This will be Halep’s second tournament since returning to the tour after her doping ban was reduced from four years to nine months.

Naomi Osaka is also on the entry list but Emma Raducanu isn’t currently in the draw.

However, as she is not ranked high enough for entry, unless she gets a late wildcard she looks set to miss Madrid.

Djokovic set for Rome return

This is only the third time since 2015 that Djokovic has not won a title by this stage of the season.

The other two times were in 2022, when he was unable to play in Australia or the United States due to being unvaccinated for Covid-19, and 2018, when he had elbow surgery early in the year.

This season he had only played three tournaments before Monte Carlo, losing to Alex de Minaur at the United Cup, Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semis, and then the upset in the third round at Indian Wells against lucky loser Luca Nardi.

It looks like he is next going to play the Italian Open, which starts on May 8, as he builds up for the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympics.

“I want to reach my peak for Paris – that’s where I want to play my best tennis,” said Djokovic in Monte Carlo.

“Anything else is a bonus, so let’s see what happens.”

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+

‘Not a great season’ – Djokovic reacts to Monte Carlo loss, as Ruud says ‘he’s human’

Novak Djokovic tasted defeat yet again in 2024, losing in the Monte Carlo semi-finals to Casper Ruud to leave the world No. 1 labelling his year so far as “not a great season at all”.

It is an unusual position for the Serbian great to find himself in, such is the “high standard” he sets for himself – with Ruud managing to beat Djokovic for the first time in six attempts.

Djokovic lost to Alex de Minaur in the United Cup – his chosen Australian Open warm-up event – and to Jannik Sinner in Melbourne, before being beaten by Luca Nardi in Indian Wells. Add in the defeat to Ruud, and it is clear this season is not shaping up how Djokovic might have hoped.

Mitigating circumstances do exist – this was Djokovic’s first tournament of the year on clay, while Ruud has already played in Estoril and thus was perhaps better prepared for the conditions in Monaco. Those conditions varied hugely too, with rain and unseasonably cooler weather for the players to contend with over the first few days, before the sun came out and conditions quickened.

“I’m used to really high standard in terms of expectations of the results, so not having a title is, maybe comparing to the last 15 years, not a great season at all,” Djokovic said.

“But I had semis of Australia, semis here. I only played three tournaments this year, so of course, you know, it’s normal to expect that you have some seasons where you don’t start well, and this is the one.

“Hopefully, yeah, I can pick up, in terms of results, I can build from here, because, you know, I played some good tennis. Hopefully in the next tournaments I’ll be able to play even better.”

This is not Djokovic’s worst start to a season – far from it. In 2018 he did not win a title until Wimbledon and did not make a single final on the hard or clay courts in the opening part of the season.

But given how much is expected of the 24-time major winner, his lacklustre start to the campaign has been noted by many, not least the way he lost in Monte Carlo – with a double fault on match point.

“Of course, I’m disappointed, you know, to lose a match like this,” Djokovic said of his semi-final defeat.

“I had my chances, but yeah, last game was not great. Unforced errors and just he was solid I think until the last shot and deserved to win. My game was kind of up and down.

“I mean, the positive thing is that I kind of managed to come back after losing the first set and really find the strength in the game. So, there are positives to take away from this tournament, for sure, but of course disappointed with the loss.”

As for Ruud, he is a proven performer on the dirt courts so to see him make his first final in Monaco is not unexpected, but it did surprise a few given his prior record against Djokovic.

“Obviously Novak is Novak,” Ruud said. “He’s human. Sometimes he doesn’t seem like it, but he is like everyone else.

“I think what really motivated me and helped me a bit today was maybe that I thought about, you know, he lost a match in Indian Wells to Luca Nardi, and he showed there that he’s also vulnerable sometimes. Not many times in a year, but a few days here and there he’s possible to beat.

“If you see that someone has done really well in the beginning of the year, it’s tough to play them, because you’re expecting, wow, this guy is almost impossible to beat. But if you see that many or other players have beaten him before, you believe a bit more in yourself also.”

picture

Casper Ruud, Monte Carlo 2024

Image credit: Getty Images

With the rise of Sinner, the hype surrounding Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune playing exciting tennis and Grigor Dimitrov rolling back the years, there is plenty of talent on show on the men’s tour at the moment, but Ruud maintains Djokovic sets the standard.

Ruud said: “In my eyes, [Djokovic is] of the all-time players to try to beat. Today I was able to do it. Something I can remember for the rest of my life and tell hopefully my kids in the future and my grandkids when I’m getting old that, you know, I beat Novak one time at least.

“No one knows how long he plans to play for, but obviously he’s getting older, but he’s still physically in good shape and playing fantastic tennis. But it’s always fun to play against him, because, you know, it’s one of the toughest challenges in our sport.”

Stream the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+