There’s no denying that tennis is an extremely physical sport. And to be honest, the red clay makes playing conditions all the more difficult.
The red clay fosters slower playing conditions, longer points and therefore more tennis making it extremely likely that players get injured during the peak of the season.
With the 2023 French Open main draw scheduled to kick off on May 28, let’s take a look at some of the stars who are competing:
Is Rafael Nadal playing the 2023 French Open?
The 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal withdrew from the clay court Grand Slam on Thursday.
This marks the first time since 2004 -- when Nadal withdrew due to an ankle injury -- that the 36-year-old Spaniard will not compete at the French Open. Since making his debut at Roland Garros in 2005, Nadal has won 14 of 18 tournaments with an unfathomable 112-3 record (Nadal withdrew before the third round in 2016, which does not count as an official loss). He won his 14th French Open last year.
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Is Novak Djokovic playing the 2023 French Open?
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World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is scheduled to compete in the French Open and has played in some of the clay court warm up tournaments.
He withdrew from the Madrid Open due to an elbow injury, however.
While the Serbian may be playing with some aches and pains during the French Open, it's pretty likely he will play the tournament.
Which tennis stars are not playing the 2023 French Open?
Rafael Nadal tops the list of players not competing at the French Open due to a lingering hip injury.
Andy Murray announced he will not be playing at the event to focus on the upcoming grass court season and Wimbledon, his home Slam.
Australian Nick Kyrgios will be missing the French Open due to his knee injury. The world No. 26 had surgery in January.
Who are the top 10 male seeds playing in the 2023 French Open?
The top 10 seeds are as follows:
1. Novak Djokovic
2. Carlos Alcaraz
3. Casper Ruud
4. Daniil Medvedev
5. Stefanos Tsitsipas
6. Andrey Rublev
7. Holger Rune
8. Jannik Sinner
9. Felix Auger-Aliassime
10. Taylor Fritz
Who are the top 10 female seeds playing in the 2023 French Open?
The top 10 seeds are as follows:
1. Iga Swiatek
2. Aryna Sabalenka
3. Jessica Pegula
4. Ons Jabeur
5. Caroline Garcia
6. Coco Gauff
7. Elena Eybakina
8. Daria Kasatkina
9. Maria Sakkari
10. Petra Kvitova
Which women are making a comeback at the 2023 French Open?
There are a few faces on the women's side that have been out for a while but are making a comeback in Paris using a protected ranking (PR).
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, ranked No. 21 and the 2021 French Open runner up, is returning to tour after suffering from a season-ending knee injury last year.
No. 27 Elina Svitolina is returning as well after giving birth to her first child.
Other returners include Jennifer Brady (14), Daria Saville (54), Patricia Maria Tig (65), Sara Sorribes Tormo (68) and Kristina Kucova (90).
Which men are making a comeback at the 2023 French Open?
Frenchman No. 35 Gaël Monfils is back in action for his 16th French Open run after having a baby with Elina Svitolina.
Jeremy Chardy (88) returns to Paris after suffering numerous setbacks both physically and medically.
Other returners include Lloyd Harris (47), Kyle Edmund (48), Hugo Dellien (73), Guido Pella (75) and Jiri Vesely (94).
