Two-time French Open runner-up Alex Corretja believes the decision to implement night sessions at this year’s tournament will cause a greater degree of difficulty for players.
The Grand Slam will hold one night session on court Phillippe Chartier from 9pm local time on the first 10 nights of the tournament. It is the first time in history the French Open will hold the sessions following recent work done on upgrading their premier stadium. Which match takes place on each day is up to the ‘the head tournament umpire’ who will review the draw and the matches available to select.
Looking ahead to the inaugural night session at Roland Garros next Monday, former world No.2 Corretja believes the cooler conditions would change the dynamic of the tournament ‘a little bit.’ Although most players will be accustomed to playing in colder conditions in Paris after the tournament was delayed until late September last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It can create problems for players a little bit if matches go long into the night because matches will finish late, conditions will be totally different – it is the same in different Slams we know – but here especially the clay will be so wet.” The Spaniard said during an interview with Eurosport.
Due to the current curfew implemented in Paris, nine out of the 10 night sessions will be taking place behind closed doors this year. The only exception is the final one on Wednesday June 9th which is the day France will be easing their restrictions. On that day up to 5000 people will be allowed to attend.
Looking ahead to the title contenders, Corretja is backing Rafael Nadal to triumph at the major for a historic 14th time. The world No.2 has only ever been beaten twice in Paris and has won the title four times in a row.
As to who can pose the strongest challenge to Nadal, the 47-year-old believes Dominic Thiem could cause him difficulty should the Austrian find his form. Thiem has been struggling on the Tour in recent weeks and has only won four out of seven matches played on the clay so far this season.
“There is Novak [Djokovic] of course, there is [Dominic] Thiem, there is [Stefanos] Tsitsipas, there is [Alexander] Zverev, there is [Diego] Schwartzman – all whom can play well,” Corretja previewed.
“Of course we see others like [Matteo] Berrettini, Casper Ruud, these guys can stay with Rafa but I’m just not sure they can over five sets.
“If Thiem is well, then he is probably the one that Rafa can suffer the most against on clay because of the styles of games. He has got a good forehand, a good backhand, a good serve – he doesn’t need to go so far back to hit his backhand.
‘But I still feel it is in Rafa’s hands more than anybody else.”
The French Open draw will take place on Thursday with the tournament starting on Monday.
