Holger Rune snubs Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev for Novak Djokovic as favorite for Roland Garros 2023

Holger Rune names Novak Djokovic as favorite due to the Serb's years of experience.

Holger Rune snubs Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev for Novak Djokovic as favorite for Roland Garros 2023

From left to right: Holger Rune, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz (Image Via ATP)

Holger Rune recently spoke about who he thought would be the favorite going into Roland Garros in 2023. Rune was talking in the post-match conference after losing the Rome Masters title to Daniil Medvedev. He was asked whether he sees Daniil Medvedev as one of the main favorites at Roland Garros. To which the 20-year-old responded, “I still think Novak is the main favorite for the event.”

With Rafael Nadal withdrawing from the French Open, there have been continuous talks on who might be the Roland Garros 2023 favorite. Debates are rife, but not one of them ends in a proper conclusion. But Holger Rune has revealed with a lot of clarity that Novak Djokovic is his pick for the Roland Garros championship. Despite having defeated Novak in the quarter-final, Rune picked him as the favorite. Perhaps it is because of the 5-set format which Djokovic is a master of. The Dane said “He’s (Novak Djokovic) the one with the most slams of who’s playing, the most experience,” explaining his rationale behind picking the Serb’s name.

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Though Daniil Medvedev defeated Holger Rune in straight sets, he still didn’t pick out the name of the World No. 3. But he did add that Daniil could be one of the favorites, though not his. “For sure, he’s been showing good signs in this clay season, playing better and better. Yeah, for sure, I mean, I think he’s one of the favorites.“

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Rune also did not miss out on his main rival, Carlos Alcaraz‘s name. He said “Then we have Alcaraz (Carlos),” hinting at how one shouldn’t forget about the World No. 1 despite his early exit by the qualifier Fabian Marozsan. On the other hand, a few days back, Novak Djokovic was asked the same question. He had picked Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz’s names as favorites.

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Most wide open Roland Garros of the Next Gen’s time

Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune
Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune (Image Credit: Eurosport)

With Rafael Nadal not being part of the Roland Garros 2023, this competition has blown wide open. This is the first time in 18 years that the Spaniard won’t play his favorite tournament. The fact that Nadal won’t play might be the biggest factor in play for a new French Open champion face. Unless, obviously, Novak Djokovic wins the tournament. Djokovic still remains the biggest force to look out for in the French Open, despite not having much success in this clay season.

Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz are two names that come to mind immediately as highly likely to win apart from the Serb. Carlos has won the clay swing in Spain with both the Barcelona Open and the Madrid Open. Holger Rune has won the BMW Open and reached the final of 2 ATP 1000, Monte Carlo, and Italian Open. Rune is already itching to get his hand on the bigger trophies after coming close to many of them this season.

Right next to them is Daniil Medvedev, who plays better each day, no matter if the surface is clay even. He has proved what he is capable by winning the Italian Open.

Next to these three are names that none can dismiss for taking the cherry, the cherry being the French Open. Stefanos Tsitsipas has come close to most clay tournaments this season. As a clay court specialist, his performance has not been as great as he would want it to be. In the last four clay tournaments, he has at least reached the quarter-finals and made one final at the Barcelona Open.

Casper Ruud, on the other hand, started with an ATP 250 win at the Estoril Open and then had a slump but finally made it to the Italian Open semi-final. Of course, there is always a possibility of a surprise winner. That could make things even more exciting.

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