The qualifying rounds have already started for the 2024 French Open, and live coverage of the 123rd edition of the Grand Slam tennis event is just around the corner. Novak Djokovic has had an up-and-down go at things since he won the French Open last year, and now he will look to defend his title and extend his Grand Slam single's titles record. In this article, we will explain everything that you need to know for watching the major event.
When and where is the French Open?
Qualifiers for the French Open started on May 20. The first round will start on May 26, and the tournament will last until June 9. The French Open is held at State Roland Garros in Paris, France. The French Open is the biggest clay surface tournament in the world.
How to watch the French Open
The 2024 French Open will be televised on NBC and on Tennis Channel. Tennis Channel coverage will start at 5 a.m. ET each weekday and run until 5:30 p.m. ET starting on May 26. Weekend coverage is from 5 a.m. ET to 1 p.m. ET. NBC will provide coverage on May 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as on June 1 and June 2 from 1-3 p.m.
They will broadcast the women's semifinals on June 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the channel will broadcast the men's semifinals on June 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. NBC also has coverage over the women's and men's finals, which will be on June 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and June 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., respectively.
Biggest storylines
Novak Djokovic won the men's singles competition at the French Open last year. If he were to defend his title, he would extend his Grand Slam victories record to 25 with a win. The Joker is currently the number-one ranked player in the world. He has won the last US Open and Australian Open as well.
Djokovic isn't the king of clay, though. That honor belongs to Rafael Nadal, the all-time leader in French Open titles. Nadal has won the event 14 times, first in 2005 and most recently in 2022. Nadal wasn't able to extend his record last year, though, as he was dealing with a hip flexor injury. Fans would love to see him back in the tournament this year, but that isn't a guarantee, either.
Nadal is still dealing with the lingering affects of injury, and he may not be healthy enough to go at Roland-Garros. You'd have to assume the Spaniard will do whatever it takes to compete, though.
“If I have to say what's my feeling and if my mind is closer one way or the other, I'm going to say ‘Be in Roland Garros and try my best,” Nadal said on May 11, via Steve Gardner of USA Today.
If Nadal is good to go, he has to be a front runner to win the event, just because of his track record at the French Open. Another title in Roland Garros would move Nadal back into a tie with Djokovic for all-time Grand Slam titles.
On the women's side, Iga Swiatek will look to defend her singles title. She has won the French Open in three of the last four years. The total purse for the French Open is $58.12 million, which marks a 7.8% increase from last year. Champions are set to receive $2.61 million. The French Open was first played in 1891, and with stars like Nadal and Djokovic getting older (and dealing with more and more injuries), this year's French Open will be wide open. So, who do you think will walk away with La Coupe des Mousquetaires?
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