Sports are unpredictable in general but tennis has proven especially inconsistent with surprising results. For instance, Novak Djokovic had a career-best season last year. He had three Grand Slam triumphs and seven titles, but the tables have turned in 2024. It’s almost June and the World No. 1 remains titleless. ‘Is Novak Djokovic finished?’- It’s funny how things can change so quickly.

A similar thing happened at the French Open this year. The two Chileans who roared at the 2024 Italian Open had to face an early exit in their next tournament in Paris. Coco Gauff‘s coach, Brad Gilbert, recently highlighted the volatility of the tennis world.

He cited their example while explaining how cruel the tennis world can be. Nicolas Jarry and Alejandro Tabilo created history by reaching the SF in Rome. That was also the first time that more than one player from their nation has reached the semis of any tour event since 2006 in Vina del Mar. And the first time outside Chile since the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens (Massu and Gonzalez). Jarry went on to reach the finals from there but Tabilo was defeated by the world number 4, Zverev.

In the French Open, Alejandro Tabilo was defeated by Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in the first-round match by a four-set thriller. While Nicolas Jarry went down to Corentin Moutet and the Parisian crowd by 2-6,1-6,6-3,0-6. After seeing their performances in Paris, Coco Gauff’s coach said, “Tennis can be so week to week with results. Rome was breakout tournament for Chile Tabilo semis Ben &Jarry finals. Jarry in trouble rolled the 1st 2sets to Frenchman Moutet and Tabilo loses to qualifier Bergs.“

Surely tennis has its own way of surprising its fans! Speaking of more such surprises surrounding the French Open this year, everyone was surprised when Rafael Nadal was drawn against Alexander Zverev in the first round of the tournament. They have a fair bit of history in between them. But the fans wanted to see Nadal making a deep run in what possibly seems to be his last appearance at the French Open. Everyone has now started to expect the unexpected at the 2024 French Open.

“I could easily see something very unpredictable happening” – Coco Gauff’s coach’s prediction for the 2024 French Open

Earlier during an interview Eurosport tennis expert Alex Corretja stated that he believes Rafael Nadal is going to be at the peak in Roland Garros this year. He added, “I expect him to be at his absolute best. I expect him to play the best tennis he’s played in a long time on this court…So in my mind, I think he’s going to be peak Rafa Nadal. I think he’s going to be at his best, and that’s my mindset going into this match.” Did Corretja just pick the 37-year-old Spaniard over the in-form world number 4?

Well, Coco Gauff’s coach, Brad Gilbert has already highlighted the volatile nature of the tennis world. But who does he pick as the winner of the 2024 French Open? “Feels like the men’s field, for the first time in 20 years, is very open, and it’s extremely difficult to pick a winner. I think it will be two tournaments: The first week, we’ll see how many top seeds get through, and then a second-week tournament from there,” Gilbert. He further went on to conclude by saying, “I could easily see something very unpredictable happening 17 days from now.” Are you also expecting the unexpected at the French Open this year?