PARIS — British tennis star Emma Raducanu has been handed a nightmare draw at the 2024 French Open, facing a potential second-round clash with world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka. Meanwhile, compatriot Jack Draper has learned his opening opponent as the tournament prepares to kick off at Roland Garros.
Raducanu, who received a wildcard entry after missing much of the 2023 season due to wrist and ankle surgeries, will first take on qualifier Renata Zarazúa of Mexico. However, should she advance, she would likely meet Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion and one of the tournament favorites. "It’s a brutal draw, no question," said former British No. 1 Tim Henman in an interview with BBC Sport.
Raducanu’s Road to Recovery Faces Stern Test
The 21-year-old Raducanu has been working her way back to form after a series of injuries derailed her progress following her historic 2021 US Open triumph. Her clay-court season has been mixed, with early exits in Stuttgart and Madrid but a promising run to the quarterfinals in Rouen.
- First Round: vs. Renata Zarazúa (Qualifier, Mexico)
- Potential Second Round: vs. Aryna Sabalenka (No. 2 seed, Belarus)
- Possible Third Round: vs. Marta Kostyuk (No. 18 seed, Ukraine)
Raducanu acknowledged the challenge ahead in a pre-tournament press conference: "I knew coming back wouldn’t be easy, but I’m here to compete. Whoever is across the net, I’ll give it everything."
Sabalenka Looms Large
Should Raducanu overcome Zarazúa, she would face Sabalenka, who has been in dominant form this season. The Belarusian has already claimed titles in Brisbane and Madrid and reached the final in Stuttgart. "Sabalenka is playing the best tennis of her life right now," noted Eurosport analyst Mats Wilander.
Jack Draper’s Path at Roland Garros
On the men’s side, British No. 1 Jack Draper has been drawn against Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong in the opening round. Draper, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 32 earlier this year, has shown flashes of brilliance on clay, including a semifinal run in Munich.
- First Round: vs. Jesper de Jong (Qualifier, Netherlands)
- Potential Second Round: vs. Cameron Norrie (No. 32 seed, Great Britain)
- Possible Third Round: vs. Hubert Hurkacz (No. 8 seed, Poland)
Draper, speaking to Sky Sports, remained optimistic: "I’ve put in the work on clay, and I feel ready. Every match is an opportunity to prove myself."
Other British Hopes
Cameron Norrie, seeded 32nd, will face a tricky opener against Russian Pavel Kotov, while Dan Evans takes on 13th-seeded Holger Rune in a tough first-round assignment. Katie Boulter, Britain’s top-ranked woman, will play former French Open semifinalist Paula Badosa.
Norrie, who has struggled for consistency this season, admitted the draw was challenging: "Kotov is a tough opponent, but I’ve got to focus on my game and trust the process."
Conclusion: A Tough Task Ahead
With Raducanu’s potential second-round showdown against Sabalenka and Draper’s path featuring in-form opponents, British fans face an anxious wait to see how their stars fare. The French Open begins on Sunday, May 26, with Raducanu’s first-round match scheduled for Monday.
As former champion Chris Evert summed it up on ESPN: "Emma’s got nothing to lose. If she can find her best tennis, who knows? But Sabalenka is a mountain to climb."
For Draper and the other Brits, the tournament presents a chance to make a statement on one of tennis’ biggest stages. Whether they can rise to the occasion remains to be seen.