Emma Raducanu has been handed a tricky first-round draw against clay-court specialist Solana Sierra at the French Open.
The British No1 has slipped to No37 in the world rankings, meaning she is unseeded in Paris. While fortunate to avoid one of the elite players, Sierra, the world No64, has been in impressive form in recent weeks, with the 21-year-old Argentinian reaching the round of 16 at the Madrid Open before taking a set off the defending French Open champion Coco Gauff at the Italian Open in Rome.
Raducanu reappointed Andrew Richardson, the coach who guided her to US Open glory in 2021, ahead of her comeback in Strasbourg this week after a ten-week absence due to a post-viral illness. However, the 23-year-old was inevitably rusty and suffered a first-round defeat against Diane Parry, the world No94, which prevented her from building any momentum.
Sierra took a set off Coco Gauff in Rome and is a specialist on clayAlessandra Tarantino/AP
If Raducanu defeats Sierra, it is likely she will face Jasmine Paolini, the world No13 and a French Open finalist in 2024, in the second round. Elena Rybakina, the Australian Open champion, would then represent a formidable potential opponent in the third round. Katie Boulter and Francesca Jones both avoided seeds and will face 19-year-old American wild card Akasha Urhobo and Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia respectively.
Toby Samuel, who was ranked as low as 1,945th in November 2024 after suffering a complex arm injury, ensured there will be at least three Britons in the men’s draw after coming through three rounds of qualifying in his first appearance at a grand slam. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent months, climbing 1,708 places to No159 in the present rankings.
“It’s incredible. My first French Open here in qualifying, getting through to the main draw is a dream come true,” Samuel said.
“It’s a massive reward [after his injury woes] for me, my whole team and family just to watch me at this event. It’s a special place to play in a grand slam, playing in the main draw, you’re surrounded by all the top guys and that’s where I want to be. It’s just a huge validation for all the work I’ve put in.”
Gill is hoping to join Norrie and Fearnley in the first roundDavid Winter/Shutterstock
Cameron Norrie, the world No20, will face Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, while Jacob Fearnley will take on Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the first round. Felix Gill, a 23-year-old from Worcestershire, will join them if he can defeat France’s Kyrian Jacquet in the final round of qualifying on Friday.
Meanwhile, tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said she was saddened by the top ten men’s and women’s players’ plan to limit their media appearances in protest against the prize money on offer at the French Open. This year’s total purse was increased by 9.5 per cent to £53.3million, with the singles champions taking home £2.44million each, but the players estimate that represents only 15 per cent of the tournament’s projected revenue.
Sabalenka is among the group of players who have indicated they would participate in a boycott over prize moneyRobert Prange/Getty
The group want the slams to match the 22 per cent share distributed to the players at joint ATP and WTA Tour events by 2030. Those participating in the protest are expected to limit their media time to a maximum of 15 minutes total in reference to the revenue figure. That is set to include up to a ten-minute press conference and up to five minutes with the host broadcaster, with players set to refuse individual interviews with rights-holders or participate in other non-mandatory media activities.
“Of course, we are a little sad about this choice, quite simply, because I think we all find that it penalises all the actors of the tournament: the players, the fans, the press, of course,” Mauresmo said. “Discussions have begun, and they’ll be even more so tomorrow [Friday] evening.”
As for the prospect of a future boycott, in which world No1 Aryna Sabalenka indicated she would be willing to participate at the Italian Open, Mauresmo added: “Everything is taken seriously. I think we’re opening up the discussion, and frankly, from that moment on, I have confidence in the future.”