ATP French Open Winners and Losers: Carlos Alcaraz triumphs, Jannik Sinner gets No 1 – but it’s heartbreak for Novak Djokovic

This was meant to be the most ‘open’ of French Open men’s singles draws.

But, in many ways, it was far from a surprising event.

Carlos Alcaraz was a predictable champion, Alexander Zverev a predictable runner-up, and the change at the very top of the rankings that many thought would happen did happen .

There were still plenty of talking points from Roland Garros , though, with plenty of players likely to be pleased with their efforts, while a few will rue missing a golden chance.

We look at the winners and losers from the men’s singles draw.

Big Winners

Carlos Alcaraz: The Spaniard is back up to world No 2 after becoming the youngest man to complete the ‘Surface Slam.’ Alcaraz wanted a French Open title more than anything else, and it is difficult to see him not winning more Paris titles.

Jannik Sinner : Despite looking fatigued in his semi-final loss, Sinner is a deserved new world No 1 on the ATP – the first Italian ever to top the singles rankings. It will be hard to usurp him from the top, and he and Alcaraz are clear Wimbledon favourites.

ATP Rankings: Jannik Sinner crowned new world No 1 as Novak Djokovic suffers double setback, Andy Murray -22

Grigor Dimitrov : Reaching a first French Open quarter-final aged 33 is no mean feat, and the Bulgarian continued his fine recent form on a surface he has never really loved. Watch out for him on the grass courts.

Alex de Minaur : Another player who has never loved clay before this year but impressed on his way to a second Grand Slam quarter-final. The Australian is having the year of his life and, much like Dimitrov, will be a huge grass-court threat this summer.

Corentin Moutet: Moutet flew the French flag in a pretty disappointing men’s event for home players. The mercurial talent captured the imagination of his watching public and did himself proud with a run to the second week.

Big Losers

Novak Djokovic : The Serbian is down to world No 3 in the ATP Rankings and faces an uphill battle to make Wimbledon and the Olympics this summer after his meniscus injury. A tough blow for the all-time great at this stage of his career.

Alexander Zverev: Fourth seed Zverev reached the final, but once again spurned a golden opportunity by playing passive, unconvincing tennis in the final two sets against Alcaraz. His mental struggles at Slams – and ongoing off-court controversy – leave questions to answer.

Stefanos Tsitsipas : The Greek looks as far away as ever from winning a Slam, unable to transition his strong clay court form into a deep run. Tsitsipas is now 0-6 against Alcaraz and it is hard to see how he can do enough to turn this around – and win a major.

Andrey Rublev : Sixth seed Rublev was the first big early casualties and while his loss to Matteo Arnaldi was disappointing, his complete mental capitulation was alarming . The Madrid champion seems unable to consistently control his emotions.

Casper Ruud : Another player whose Grand Slam chance may have gone begging after stomach issues hampered him in a semi-final loss to Zverev. The Norwegian will always be a threat on clay, but can he match Alcaraz or Sinner?

Novak Djokovic plotting his return after French Open heartbreak as possible comeback tournament revealed

Winner….and Loser?

Rafael Nadal : A round-one exit felt far from fitting for a man who has dominated a Grand Slam event like no one else. Nadal, however, did not conclusively rule out a Roland Garros return; will he be back for a more satisfactory farewell next season?

Holger Rune : Danish star Rune has again dropped slightly down the rankings after his round four loss, failing to defend quarter-final points – but there was enough life from him at this event to suggest he is turning a corner.