By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The French Open draw has been revealed as anticipation builds for the second grand slam of the season at Roland Garros on Sunday.
Defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz opens his title defence against Japan’s former world number four Kei Nishikori.
Jack Draper plays Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in his opening match, with top-ranked Jannik Sinner a potential quarter-final opponent.
Italy’s Sinner, who has recently returned from a three-month doping ban, will start against France’s Arthur Rinderknech.
Novak Djokovic, who is aiming for a standalone record 25th Grand Slam, has been pitted against American Mackenzie McDonald.
The Serb great, who turned 38 on Thursday, has German third seed Alexander Zverev and Russian 11th seed Daniil Medvedev in his quarter of the draw.
The draw was conducted at Roland Garros on Thursday, with France and Paris St-Germain footballer Ousmane Dembele picking out the names.
Defending champion Iga Swiatek, who is aiming for her fifth title, was handed a tough draw on Thursday.
Struggling for form in recent weeks, Poland’s Swiatek will open her French Open title defense with a first-round match against Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova.
Another first-round match to watch will feature Japan’s Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, and Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa.
On the other side of the draw, second seed Coco Gauff will start her campaign against Australian Olivia Gadecki, with a possible all-American semi-final looming against Jessica Pegula, the third seed.