David Ferrer snubs Novak Djokovic, names Carlos Alcaraz as Roland Garros favorite over Rafael Nadal

The former World No. 3 didn't hesitate in naming the youngster as the favorite for this year's Roland Garros ahead of defending champ Novak Djokovic.

David Ferrer snubs Novak Djokovic, names Carlos Alcaraz as Roland Garros favorite over Rafael Nadal

David Ferrer, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz (Images via IMAGO)

Former World No. 3 David Ferrer has already picked his favorite for the 2024 French Open. The 41-year-old is currently the captain of the Spanish Davis Cup team, having retired in 2019. He has won 27 career titles since turning pro in 2000. 

With the Golden Swing of the Tour still more than a month away, debates in Spain have already started rising over this year’s French Open winner. In all likelihood, it looks to be the final season of 14-time Roland Garros winner Rafael Nadal, owing to his persistent injuries. 

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The King of Clay has already hinted but has not made any official announcement. This year, Novak Djokovic will be the defending champion, having won his record 23rd Major title in Paris last year. But for Ferrer and many other Spaniards, Nole doesn’t enter as the title favorite. 

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All eyes will be on Nadal, who withdrew from the 2024 Australian Open after reaching the quarter-finals in Brisbane. The Spaniard picked up another injury and chose not to risk any damage with his eyes set on the clay season. 

The 22-time Grand Slam singles title winner knows his chances are best on clay, and he is preserving himself accordingly. However, for Ferrer, Nadal is still not the favorite for this year’s French Open. The argument has sense to it given the lack of matches Rafa has played this season, which raises questions about his fitness and form. 

Now it's difficult to say because I haven't seen him compete. If I watch him play for three weeks to see how he feels and his tennis level, I may have a different perception or I may adjust more to reality.
Said Ferrer speaking with Marca.

When questioned further, he picked young gun Carlos Alcaraz as his choice for this year’s Roland Garros.

Carlos Alcaraz’s French Open record so far

The two-time Major winner has long been dubbed as the successor of Nadal on the Tour. A successor for carrying the Spanish flag while also initially seen to carry the Spanish legacy of clay court experts.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (via Roland Garros)

Alcaraz however turned out much better than what many imagined. With Grand Slam titles at the US Open and Wimbledon already, only the French Open holds him back from completing the Surface Slam.

He’s made three main-draw appearances so far in Paris and has progressed each time. After failing to reach the main draw in 2020 as a qualifier, he made it to the third round in 2021, winning all of his qualifying matches in straight sets.

In 2022, he reached the quarter-finals before losing to Alexander Zverev. Had he won the match, he would have played Nadal in the semis. He improved even further in 2023 as he made it to the semi-finals before losing to Djokovic.

Alcaraz cramped during the match and later revealed his nervousness as the reason for it. But with round-by-round progression each season, one can see Alcaraz make the big run in Paris. But will it be this year when Nadal is possibly playing for the last time? Only time will tell. 

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