Emma Raducanu is gearing up to compete at the French Open, even after a recent back injury raised some concerns.
The 22-year-old British star had to take a medical timeout during her loss to Danielle Collins in Strasbourg, where she revealed she was dealing with a back spasm.
Fortunately, reports say her pain has eased, and she’s now en route to Paris as the tournament draw unfolds.
Raducanu’s first-round opponent is China’s Wang Xinyu, ranked world No. 42, which is a promising start.
However, the challenge doesn’t stop there — if she advances, she’s likely to face four-time champion Iga Swiatek in the second round.
Although Swiatek hasn’t been in great form recently, she remains a formidable opponent and a tough hurdle for Raducanu to overcome.
Jack Draper’s Roland Garros Debut and Potential Road Ahead
Jack Draper is making his debut at Roland Garros with high hopes to win his first match at this Grand Slam.
He faces fellow left-handed player Mattia Bellucci from Italy, who is ranked No. 68 in the world.
Draper has been showing strong clay-court form recently, reaching the Madrid final and Rome quarterfinals, so expectations are rising.
If Draper progresses, he could face the charismatic 38-year-old French crowd favorite Gael Monfils, who is known for his electrifying performances on home soil.
Later rounds could pit Draper against big servers like 30th seed Hubert Hurkacz or Brazilian star Joao Fonseca.
A potential quarterfinal clash against his close friend and world No. 1, Jannik Sinner, would be a true test.
For Draper, reaching the fourth round would be a solid achievement given the tough draw.
British Players Facing Tough Tests in Paris
Jacob Fearnley, another British player making his French Open debut, draws a daunting first-round opponent in 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka.
The Swiss veteran, still strong at 40, famously knocked out Andy Murray at Roland Garros last year. Fearnley, however, might have the chance to claim some Scottish revenge against a player nearly twice his age.
British No. 1 Katie Boulter starts off against a qualifier and could meet Australian Open winner Madison Keys in the next round.
Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie faces a challenging opener against Daniil Medvedev, who recently defeated him in Rome. Jodie Burrage is also considered an underdog against Danielle Collins.
Sonay Kartal, making her tournament debut like Fearnley, has a potentially winnable match against Erika Andreeva, the older sister of the highly ranked Mirra Andreeva.
In qualifying action, Francesca Jones, Britain’s No. 3, fought back from a set down to beat Japan’s Mai Hontama and will try to secure a spot in the main draw on Friday.
Men’s Draw Highlights: Alcaraz’s Dream Run and Djokovic’s Good Start
The men’s draw is shaping up well for defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who is in a prime position to avoid facing other top players like Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, or Alexander Zverev before the final.
This should give him a clearer path to defend his title.
Novak Djokovic, who just turned 38, has a favorable early match against Mackenzie McDonald.
This opening should help him ease into the tournament and build momentum for the later rounds.
Women’s Draw: Iga Swiatek’s Challenging Path to a Fourth Title
Iga Swiatek, aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive French Open title, faces a surprisingly tough draw.
After expected early matches against Rebecca Sramkova and potentially Raducanu, she could meet several strong contenders including Marta Kostyuk, Elena Rybakina (or Jelena Ostapenko — a player Swiatek has yet to beat), Jasmine Paolini, and Aryna Sabalenka before even thinking about the final.
Given Swiatek’s recent struggles with form, it will take a monumental effort for her to navigate through these obstacles and capture a fifth title in Paris.
What’s Next?
As the French Open progresses, eyes will be on the British hopefuls and the defending champions as they tackle demanding opponents and chase glory on the iconic clay courts of Roland Garros.
Will Raducanu bounce back from injury? Can Draper make a deep run? And will Swiatek rise to reclaim her crown despite the odds? The drama is just beginning.