For the first time since 2004, neither Roger Federer, nor Rafael Nadal, nor Novak Djokovic will be present in the Roland-Garros final. A real revolution.
The “Djoker” injury package is an event. Not only because he has to give up on a potential fourth victory at Roland Garros, which would have been his 25th Grand Slam title. But also because it has been an eternity since the men’s final of the French Open was played without Novak Djokovic, nor Rafael Nadal, nor Roger Federer.
The last 19 men’s finals at Roland-Garros have in fact been contested with at least one of the members of this “Big 3” of modern tennis. Fourteen have been won by Rafael Nadal, three by Novak Djokovic, two by Roger Federer. Without forgetting the unexpected success of Stanislas Wawrinka in 2015. Faced with the “three monsters”? Mariano Puerta, Robin Söderling, David Ferrer, Andy Murray, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud.
Gaudio, last winner of the old era
We therefore have to go back to 2004 for an old generation final. That year, Gaston Gaudio, 44th in the world, won against the number 3 seed Guillermo Coria in a 100% Argentinian duel. The match lasted 3h31 and extended over five sets (0-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 8-6).
To try to win their first Grand Slam title, Gaston Gaudio and Guillermo Coria had respectively dismissed their compatriot David Nalbandian and the Briton Tim Henman.
Alcaraz baby, Nadal injured, Djokovic still great hope
Roger Federer, 22, was already the world number one at the time, with Wimbledon 2003 and the 2004 Australian Open already on his record. But at Porte d’Auteuil, Gustavo Kuerten, 30th in the world, took him out in the 3rd round (6-4, 6-4, 6-4). Rafael Nadal was 18 years old and appeared in 49th place in the ATP rankings. But a fracture in his left foot prevented him from participating in what would have been his first Roland-Garros. As for Novak Djokovic, then aged 17, he was still only a great hope outside the top 100 who was competing in Futures and Challengers tournaments.
In 2004, when Jacques Chirac was entering the third year of his second presidential term in France and Mark Zuckerberg was launching Facebook, the top 10 men in world tennis were as follows: Federer, Roddick, Coria, Ferrero, Moya, Agassi, Schüttler, Nalbandian, Henman, Grosjean. Casper Ruud, who is aiming for a third consecutive final, was 6 years old. As for Carlos Alcaraz, he was barely a year old.
