PARIS: Novak Djokovic will bid for a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title at a French Open without his old rival Rafael Nadal for the first time since 2004, while Iga Swiatek attempts to become the first woman to defend the title in 16 years.
EARLY FAVORITES This combination of file photographs created on May 25, 2023, shows Serbia's Novak Djokovic (left) as he returns to Denmark's Holger Rune during their quarterfinals match of the Men's ATP Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 17, 2023, and Spain's Carlos Alcaraz (right) as he returns to Hungary's Fabian Marozsan during their third round match of the Men's ATP Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 15, 2023. Djokovic could face world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals of the French Open after both players were placed in the same half of the draw on Thursday. Djokovic is chasing a record 23rd men's Grand Slam title in the absence of the injured Rafael Nadal, who will miss the tournament at Roland Garros for the first time since his 2005 title-winning debut. PHOTO BY FILIPPO MONTEFORTE AND TIZIANA FABI/AFP