Adedokun Waliyu 
Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic will not meet until the French Open final after being placed in opposite halves of the men’s draw, while Coco Gauff could face Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s semi-finals.
World number one Sinner, considered the favourite for the title following Carlos Alcaraz’s injury, will begin his campaign against French wildcard Clement Tabur.
Sabalenka faces a difficult route to the women’s final, with possible encounters against Naomi Osaka, Victoria Mboko, and defending champion Coco Gauff.
The tournament, which begins on Sunday, has also been affected by tensions between players and Grand Slam organisers over prize money and media obligations.
Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said organisers would not change their position, noting that prize money has significantly increased over the last decade.
Sinner is expected to face American fifth seed Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals, while Daniil Medvedev could await him in the semi-finals.
The Italian recently won the Rome Masters title after defeating Casper Ruud in the final, becoming only the second man after Novak Djokovic to win all nine Masters 1000 tournaments.
Djokovic, seeking a record 25th Grand Slam title, will begin against French player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Alexander Zverev is a possible semi-final opponent for Djokovic. The German has previously lost to Djokovic twice at Roland Garros.
Zverev will open against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi.
One of the most notable first-round matches features French star Arthur Fils against former champion Stan Wawrinka, who is expected to retire after the tournament.
Veteran French player Gael Monfils will also begin what is expected to be his final French Open campaign against compatriot Hugo Gaston.
Sabalenka Faces Tough Draw
Defending champion Coco Gauff will begin her title defence against fellow American Taylor Townsend.
Sabalenka could face four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka in the last 16 if both players progress.
Canadian youngster Victoria Mboko or Jessica Pegula could await Sabalenka in the quarter-finals.
Sabalenka opens against Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
Gauff may have to overcome Amanda Anisimova in the quarter-finals.
Four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek could meet Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals, while Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina is projected as a possible semi-final opponent.
Swiatek starts against Australian teenager Emerson Jones, while Rybakina faces Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec.
There is also a possibility of an all-Southeast Asian second-round clash between Indonesia’s Janice Tjen and the Philippines’ Alexandra Eala, with the winner potentially facing Osaka in the next round.
