French Open 2022: 7 teenagers to watch out for ft. Emma Raducanu, Carlos Alcaraz, Leylah Fernandez & more
Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek will lead the field at this year's French Open as the top men's and women's seeds. The duo, however, are set to face some stiff resistance with the draw featuring dangerous unseeded players and rising teenage stars.
In addition to a list of illustrious champions led by Rafael Nadal, this year's draw also features a slew of talented youngsters vying for Grand Slam success. Michael Chang and Mats Wilander won the French Open when they were 17-years-old, while Monica Seles won her maiden Slam at the 1990 French Open when she was 16-years-old.
Here's a list of seven teenagers to watch out for at the 2022 French Open:
Terre battue beauty 👣
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#7 Marta Kostyuk
Marta Kostyuk comes into this year's Roland Garros having won only one main-draw match on clay this season. That said, a return to Paris is sure to bring back fond memories for the youngster.
Kostyuk reached the fourth round of the French Open last year, losing to Iga Swiatek. Kostyuk will play Mayar Sherif in the first round this year.
#6 Holger Rune
Holger Rune lifted the junior Roland Garros trophy in 2019 and has since gone on to make a successful transition to the senior circuit.
Rune beat World No. 3 Alexander Zverev en route to win his maiden title in Munich a few weeks ago and is now sitting at a career-high ranking of No. 40. He also reached the semifinals in Lyon, losing a close encounter to Cameron Norrie. He begins his Roland Garros campaign against Denis Shapovalov.
#5 Coco Gauff
The player with the highest number of Grand Slam matches under her belt on this list, Coco Gauff is another prospect to watch out for in Paris.
The American teenager is looking to follow up on her quarterfinal showing from last year. She hasn't had the best lead-up to the French Open this year, but definitely possesses the game to turn things around in Paris.
She faces the big-serving qualifier Rebecca Marino in the first round.
#4 Emma Raducanu
After struggling at the start of the year, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu steadied the ship during the European clay swing. She made the quarterfinals on the red dirt in Stuttgart after winning her debut Billie Jean King Cup tie.
The Brit has shown flashes of her best tennis and the French Open offers the perfect stage for Raducanu to shine, provided injuries don't rear their ugly head. She will begin her maiden Roland Garros campaign against fellow debutant Linda Noskova.
“I think that something that the clay has taught is how to experiment"
A surface that once spelled uncertainty for the young superstar, @EmmaRaducanu enters Paris with newfound joy and confidence 👇
#RolandGarros
#3 Leylah Fernandez
Leylah Fernandez, who lost to Raducanu in the US Open final last year, is another youngster who will come into the French Open with the spotlight shining brightly on her.
Fernandez doesn't have the best record on claycourt. However, her ranking and potential could aid her in her quest to make a deep run in the Paris Major. The 17th seed will take on home favorite Kristina Mladenovic in her first match at Roland Garros.
#2 Carlos Alcaraz
The highest-ranked teenager on this list, sixth seed Carlos Alcaraz has firmly established himself as the leader of the next generation.
The Spaniard reached the third round at the 2021 French Open, but with an ATP 1000 and 500 title on clay under his belt this year, he will be gunning for a stronger result. He will face Juan Ignacio Londero in the first round.
#1 Linda Noskova
At 17, Czech qualifier Linda Noskova is set to be the youngest player in this year's French Open. The World No. 185 has already punched above her weight to beat the likes of Anna Blinkova and Rebecca Sramkova en route to the main draw.
The reigning Roland Garros junior champion is now set for her senior debut against Raducanu in a marquee first-round encounter.
First into the main draw 👏
Reigning girls' singles champion Linda Noskova flies past Rebecca Sramkova 6-3, 6-2
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Also Check Out :- French Open Winners