As we approach the second Grand Slam of the year in Paris on Sunday the men’s tournament threw up an intriguing line-up with 13-time winner Rafael Nadal, world No1 Novak Djokovic & 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer all in the same half of the draw. This provides the potential for a quarter final showdown between Djokovic & Federer who missed last year’s tournament due to injury.
In the woman’s draw Serena Williams is bidding for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title. Although hardcore tennis fans may well be hoping for a blockbuster final between the two current best players in the world, Ashleigh Barty & Naomi Osaka who have both been in impressive form leading into the tournament.
The organisers at Roland Garos decided to delay the Grand Slam by one week in a bid to accommodate fans during the Covid-19 pandemic and are planning to allow crowds of up 1,000 on the show courts throughout the tournament. Next month will see the return of the Wimbledon Championships after it was cancelled last year for the first time since WWII due to Covid. The AELTC have already announced they are planning for a 25% capacity but there is growing optimism this will increase in the coming weeks as the UK continues it’s roadmap out of lockdown restrictions.