PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 26: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates to the crowd after his victory against Jeffrey John Wolf of the United States in the Men’s Singles first round match on Day One of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on May 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
(May 26, 2024) Carlos Alcaraz who confessed that he was scared to hit his forehand, won his first-round match at Roland Garros on Sunday. The 21-year-old Spaniard overwhelmed American J.J. Wolf 6-1, 6-2, 6-1. It’s the first win for Alcaraz since coming back from a right forehand injury about a month ago. “I’m almost at 100% of my abilities,” Alcaraz said after his first-round win. “After the match, I didn’t feel anything.”
“I’m really happy to be back, to be back here in Paris, to be back competing again,” said Alcaraz in his on-court interview. “It’s been a really difficult month for me. I love competing, I love playing tennis, and to stay away from that was hurtful for me. I tried everything I could do to be at my 100 per cent here in Paris, to show my best tennis, and I think I did it today.”
“I would have loved to have played more matches [this month], but I don’t think I need too many matches to get to 100 per cent,” said Alcaraz. “I think I did really good preparations these past two weeks before coming to Paris. I practiced this week with top players and I felt really good moving, hitting the ball. My forearm is getting better and better, and it is something good for me.”
“Honestly, I’m with low expectations coming into this tournament, but after the practice week, after this first round, well, the confidence is higher,” Alcaraz said later in his post-match news conference. “My expectations probably got higher after today’s match, but let’s see. “All I can say is I’m feeling great on the court. I feel amazing in this match, so hopefully keep going.”
PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 26: Naomi Osaka of Japan hits a backhand to Lucia Bronzetti of Italy during their first-round match on Day 1 of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on May 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Fred Mullane/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Four-time major singles champion Naomi Osaka currently ranked 134th in the world, had a topsy-turvy match which resulted in a three-set win over 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 first-round victory over Lucia Bronzetti. “There were moments I played pretty well, but I was pretty nervous and got really tight,” said the woman from Japan. This was Osaka’s first victory at a major tournament since 2022. Osaka came back from maternity leave in January.
Osaka could face the No. 1 seed and defending champion Iga Swiatek, who plays her first round on Monday. During her news conference, Osaka did not realize that she could play Swiatek in the second round, “I think it’s an honor to play her in the French Open because she’s won here more than once”, Osaka said when asked about possibly playing the top player. Two other former major champions advanced on Sunday – Jelena Ostapenko who won the French Open in 2017 and Sofia Kenin who claimed the 2020 Australian Open.
PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 26: Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland and Andy Murray of Great Britain embrace at the net after their Men’s Singles First Round match on Day One of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on May 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
In a contest between two three-time major champions, 39-year-old Stan Wawrinka defeated 37-year-old Andy Murray 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in a night match at Roland Garros. This first-round match was the second-oldest combined age for two men in Paris since 2000. Lorenzo Sonego of Italy upset No. 17 Ugo Humbert of France 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
More to follow….
