Djokovic waits as French Open washed out
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PERSISTENT rain forced the cancellation of all matches yesterday at the French Open, the first wash-out in 16 years at the clay-court grand slam tournament.
Organizers said matches would be rescheduled for today. With no play at all yesterday, ticket holders can apply for refunds. The last total wash-out in Paris was May 30, 2000, according to organizers.
French weather forecasts for the coming days also look grim, with more rain expected today before a hoped-for break in the clouds tomorrow.
Weather permitting, top-ranked Novak Djokovic will play today for a spot in the quarterfinals against 14th-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut.
In the women’s draw, both Williams sisters were set to be in action yesterday. Defending champion Serena was to play 18th-seeded Elina Svitolina while Venus was supposed to face last year’s semifinalist Timea Bacsinszky.
Djokovic is poised to become the first man to win US$100 million in prize money when he targets a place in the quarter-finals for the 10th time.
Djokovic is chasing a first Roland Garros title to complete a career grand slam.
The top seeded Serb is also bidding to reach the quarterfinals for the 28th straight grand slam and take sole occupancy of second place ahead of Jimmy Connors for the most consecutive last-eight appearances at the majors.
With US$99,673,404 banked in prize money at the start of Roland Garros, the 29-year-old Djokovic can cross the US$100 million barrier by making the last-eight. A place in the quarter-finals is worth 294,000 euros (US$326,722).
Roger Federer is Djokovic’s closest rival in the prize money stakes on US$98,011,727 but the Swiss is sitting out Roland Garros through injury.
“I know that the top four guys (himself, Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray) that have been dominating the tour and winning most of the major titles in the last ten years or so will not stay there forever,” cautioned Djokovic.
“New generations are coming up, and you can see already guys like Dominic Thiem, Borna Coric, Nick Kyrgios establishing themselves in the very top of the men’s game.
“Can definitely expect to see those faces more in the future. How quick they can actually get to the top four of the world, it’s a process. It’s not like that’s going to happen overnight or over two, three months.
“They need to play very well and consistently well and stay healthy throughout the entire year in order to challenge the top spots. Let’s see if they can do that.”
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