The Japan Times - Three talking points ahead of clay-court season

Novak Djokovic will be bidding to finally clinch his 100th title before the French Open starts on May 25, after a narrow miss in Miami.

Iga Swiatek is hoping a return to her favourite surface can bring an up-tick in form, while several youngsters are looking to back up impressive starts to the year.

Here, AFP Sport takes a look at three talking points ahead of the European clay-court season:

Djokovic aiming to build on Miami run

The men's build-up to the French Open starts this weekend at the Monte Carlo Masters, where Djokovic is aiming to lift the title for the first time since 2015.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has not won a tournament since the Paris Olympics and questions about his future were raised after successive shock defeats by Matteo Berrettini and Botic van de Zandschulp, following an injury-enforced retirement from his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

But Djokovic, who turns 38 in May, returned to form in Miami by cruising into the final without dropping a set, before being edged out by Mensik.

"Miami really brought me a lot of joy and really good sensations on and off the court," said the former world number one.

Djokovic, who has won three French Opens, could set an outright record of 25 Grand Slam titles in Paris this year.

Swiatek hoping for solace on clay

Swiatek has endured a difficult spell, punctuated by a doping ban, and has not reached a final since sealing her fourth Roland Garros crown last year.

The Pole has still been consistently reaching the latter stages of events, but has lost the aura she had when world number one.

Sabalenka has established herself at the top of the rankings, but Swiatek remains the 'Queen of Clay'.

The 23-year-old won a history-making hat-trick of Italian, Madrid and French Open titles last season so will have plenty of ranking points to defend in the coming months.

"I don't want to think about this too long," she said after a surprise quarter-final loss to Filipina wildcard Alexandra Eala in Miami.

"It's nice to learn from losses but there are other things ahead and I am happy we are going to play on clay."

Teens looking to take over

Mensik, Eala, Mirra Andreeva and Joao Fonseca have all shown why they are among the most highly-rated young players in the sport this year and will be expecting to continue to challenge the best.

Mensik rose into the world's top 25 with his victory over Djokovic, while 17-year-old Andreeva has established herself in the women's top 10 off the back of WTA 1,000 triumphs in Dubai and Indian Wells.

Eala, a former US Open junior champion, defied her status as a wildcard by reaching the Miami semi-finals, while 18-year-old Brazilian Fonseca has already won an ATP title and is closing on the top 50.

Fonseca, Mensik and Eala are set for their debuts at Roland Garros, while Andreeva has already made her mark on the Paris clay, having reached the semi-finals in 2024.

American Learner Tien and Australia's Maya Joint, 19 and 18 respectively, have also broken into the top 100 this year.

Y.Kato--JT