French Open LIVE: Weather causes chaos as Nick Kyrgios posts cryptic message
The third day of the French Open is upon us and we are anticipating another enthralling few sessions of tennis. Big names such as Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have already been knocked out in the first round of the competition, with Novak Djokovic bidding to avoid the same fate.
Cam Norrie ‘devastated’ as British hopes dwindle after day two at French Open
Nadal played in what could be his final Roland Garros match yesterday, going down 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to world No. 4 Alexander Zverev. Despite losing in straight sets, the 37-year-old proved he can still compete among the best and hinted that he may return next year.
“I don’t know if it’s gonna be my last time here in front of you, not 100 per cent – but if it is I enjoyed it,” Nadal said. “The feelings that I have are difficult to describe, it’s so special to feel the love of the people in the place I love the most.
“The first round was not the dream one but I was competitive and had my chances. It’s difficult to say what’s going on in the future, a big percentage that I won’t be back but I can say 100 per cent I am enjoying playing and having fun. Maybe in two months I’ll say it’s enough, but it’s something I don’t want yet and I want to be back on this court for the Olympics.”
Home star Alize Cornet has played the final match of her glittering career, going down 6-2, 6-1 to Qinwen Zheng in a battling first-round contest.
Cornet previously confirmed that she would be calling a day on her tennis career at the French Open.
She was presented with a trophy on Court Philippe-Chatrier and a special tribute video looking back at her greatest moments on court, before she took the microphone and reflected on her time in tennis.
“I gave everything to tennis and I was very happy with the life I had,” Cornet said.
Rafael Nadal has confirmed that he will be returning to sport sooner rather than later, linking up with a host of big names for a charity golf tournament in Mallorca.
The likes of Nadal, Pep Guardiola, Henrik Larsson, Gabriel Batistuta and John Arne Riise will take to the links on June 12-14 to raise money for the fight against ALS and multiple sclerosis.
Wimbledon 2022 champion Elena Rybakina has sealed her place in the French Open second round with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Greet Minnen.
After a slow start, Rybakina won 10 straight matches and overcame a late fightback from her Belgian opponent.
Outside, the rain continues to fall and there is no hint that play will resume anytime soon.
Elena Rybakina during her first-round French Open win. (Image: Getty.)
John McEnroe gets backing over Rafael Nadal complaint
Coco Gauff coach Brad Gilbert, who formerly worked with Andre Agassi, has shared John McEnroe’s complaint about Rafael Nadal at the French Open.
McEnroe felt that it was a “crazy” decision not to seed Nadal at Roland Garros, having drawn and then lost to world No. 4 Alexander Zverev.
And Gilbert is on the same page, with Nadal denied an easier route to a lengthy Paris stay.
He wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Didn’t see a lot of Vamos-Rafa match definitely had chances in 2nd set, still feel like he deserved to be seeded like 20th and could work way into (the) tournament. Who knows about what the result could have been, just my 2 cents.”
3 hours ago09:58 Jack McEachen
Outside courts set for delay
Outside play is expected to be delayed with heavy rain falling at Roland Garros once again.
Matches went late into the night yesterday as a result of rain and thunderstorms in Paris, with the roof closed for Rafael Nadal’s match with Alexander Zverev.
And we could be headed towards more disruptions today.
Play has officially been delayed until 10.30am, but could be set back further if rain continues.
4 hours ago09:11 Jack McEachen
Nick Kyrgios’ cryptic analysis
Nick Kyrgios has posted a cryptic social media message concerning the French Open this morning.
The Aussie is not in action as he continues rehabilitating from injury, but has been a keen observer over the past two days in Paris.
Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) he wrote: “The tennis world makes me laugh….. if you know you know.”
He then curiously added: “Players have severe injuries and everyone just assumes they are gonna be the same.”
Nick Kyrgios has commented on the French Open. (Image: Getty.)
5 hours ago08:27 Jack McEachen
Emma Raducanu gets new coaching offer
Emma Raducanu has received a surprise coaching offer from her tour rival Ons Jabeur at the French Open.
The Brit is absent from Paris in order to focus on Wimbledon, where Jabeur has reached the final in the last two editions of the tournament.
And Jabeur insisted that she would be more than happy to work with Raducanu.
“I would say Emma Raducanu,” Jabeur told Eurosport when asked who the one player she would like to coach is.
“I have a good relationship with her and I think I can help a little bit with some advice. I mean I would not be the main coach, I would be the consultant I guess, a new job. Emma if you’re hiring, I’m available.”
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6 hours ago07:38 Jack McEachen
Day three order of play
Novak Djokovic begins his French Open campaign tonight…
Court Philippe-Chatrier
From 11am
Qinwen Zheng vs Alize Cornet
Felipe Meligeni Alves vs Casper Ruud
Erika Andreeva vs Aryna Sabalenka
Not before 7:15pm
Novak Djokovic vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Court Suzanne-Lenglen
From 11am
Greet Minnen vs Elena Rybakina
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Arthur Cazaux
Magdalena Frech vs Daria Kasatkina
Dan Evans vs Holger Rune
Court Simonne-Mathieu
From 10am
Alex De Minaur vs Alex Michelsen
Taylor Fritz vs Federico Coria
Madison Keys vs Renata Zarazua
6 hours ago07:36 Jack McEachen
Terence Atmane issues apology
Terence Atmane has released an apology statement on social media after he was nearly disqualified during his first-round match.
Atmane furiously flung a ball into the crowd which hit a spectator, though only received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Many had called for him to be disqualified, but he played on to be defeated by Sebastian Ofner.
“Just to come back to what happened last night regarding the mini drama I’m facing,” he began on his Instagram story.
“After losing the 3rd set and leading 4/1 in the 4th, Sebastian saves a break point and just as he sends the ball back to me I have a moment of frustration and decide to send the ball into the net out of frustration… Problem: I broke my string at the same moment and found myself watching my ball cross the court and go straight into the leg of a spectator…
“Of course, my first instinct would have been to go and apologize, but I was so shocked and disoriented by my action that no reaction came to mind… like a blackout where my brain switches off and I can’t think of anything else – anything.
“I’m working very hard on myself mentally and people who know me know that I’ve made enormous progress in terms of frustration and stress management, even if I’m far from perfect. Stress that 6 months ago was causing me to lose between 4 and 6kg per tournament.
“This gesture, which I’m sure you’ve seen on the media, was not intentional, so please forgive me for my emotional outburst and, above all, I’d like to apologize personally to the lady
“I’m currently looking for with my agent and the tournament organizers, so that I can tell her straight to her face and offer her one of my signed rackets (if she accepts the offer, of course).
“I will assume the financial consequences of my actions with the tournament. I’m writing this with tears in my eyes because I’m an extremely sensitive person and finding myself in this kind of situation affects me deeply. I sincerely hope my message will be heard.”
Terence Atmane apologised for hitting a fan with his tennis ball. (Image: Getty.)
6 hours ago07:33 Jack McEachen
Rafael Nadal retirement update
Rafael Nadal failed to rule out returning to next year’s French Open, but did admit that he would be skipping Wimbledon in order to focus on the Olympics this summer.
Nadal was defeated by Alexander Zverev in the first round yesterday, but he admitted that it might not be his last match at Roland Garros.
“I don’t know if it’s gonna be my last time here in front of you, not 100 per cent – but if it is I enjoyed it,” he said.
“The feelings that I have are difficult to describe, it’s so special to feel the love of the people in the place I love the most.
“The first round was not the dream one but I was competitive and had my chances. It’s difficult to say what’s going on in the future, a big percentage that I won’t be back but I can say 100 per cent I am enjoying playing and having fun.
“Maybe in two months I’ll say it’s enough, but it’s something I don’t want yet and I want to be back on this court for the Olympics.”
