PARIS — In a surprising scheduling decision, world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz has been denied a main-stage appearance for his opening match at the 2024 French Open, with tournament organizers instead giving preference to world No. 166 Corentin Moutet on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The decision has sparked debate among tennis fans and analysts, as Alcaraz—a two-time Grand Slam champion and one of the sport’s brightest young stars—was relegated to Court Suzanne-Lenglen for his first-round clash against qualifier J.J. Wolf. Meanwhile, French wildcard Moutet, ranked outside the top 150, was granted the prime-time spotlight on the tournament’s center court.
French Open tournament director Amélie Mauresmo defended the move, stating, "We always try to balance star power with local interest. Corentin is a French player with a passionate fanbase, and we believe this matchup deserves the main stage." However, critics argue that Alcaraz’s global appeal and recent success should have guaranteed him a marquee slot.
Why Was Alcaraz Overlooked?
Several factors may have contributed to the decision:
- Local Appeal: Moutet, a Paris native, draws strong home support, and French Open organizers often prioritize domestic players in scheduling.
- Opponent Dynamics: Alcaraz’s first-round opponent, J.J. Wolf, is a qualifier with limited name recognition, while Moutet faced a higher-profile opponent in former top-10 player Lucas Pouille.
- Tournament Strategy: The French Open has historically spread marquee matches across multiple days to maximize attendance and viewership.
Fan and Analyst Reactions
The decision has drawn mixed reactions. Tennis journalist José Morgado tweeted, "Alcaraz is one of the biggest draws in tennis right now. Burying him on Lenglen while Moutet gets Chatrier is a questionable call, even with the French factor." Meanwhile, French fans celebrated the move, with many arguing that home players deserve priority.
Alcaraz, for his part, remained diplomatic when asked about the scheduling. "I don’t control where I play," he said. "My job is to win no matter which court I’m on. I respect the tournament’s decision."
Historical Precedents
This is not the first time a top player has been denied center court at a major. In 2022, Novak Djokovic played his first-round match at the Australian Open on John Cain Arena instead of Rod Laver Arena. Similarly, Serena Williams was occasionally scheduled on secondary courts early in tournaments despite her star power.
However, Alcaraz’s situation stands out because:
- He is the reigning Wimbledon champion and a former US Open winner.
- He has been widely marketed as the next face of men’s tennis.
- The French Open has traditionally prioritized top seeds on Chatrier in early rounds.
What’s Next for Alcaraz?
Despite the scheduling snub, Alcaraz remains a heavy favorite to advance deep into the tournament. His path to the final could include clashes with Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals and Jannik Sinner in the semifinals—matches that would undoubtedly be scheduled on Philippe-Chatrier.
Former French Open champion Mats Wilander weighed in, saying, "Carlos will use this as motivation. He’s too professional to let court assignments affect his game, but I’m sure he’ll want to prove he belongs on the biggest stage."
Conclusion
While the French Open’s decision to favor Moutet over Alcaraz may frustrate some fans, it underscores the tournament’s commitment to balancing star power with local narratives. Whether this strategy pays off in terms of viewership and attendance remains to be seen.
For now, Alcaraz will focus on his match against Wolf, knowing that strong performances will ensure he gets his time on Philippe-Chatrier in later rounds. As he put it, "The court doesn’t win matches—I do."