The form: In line with the Son and Van Assche generation, we ask for the next Giovanni Mpetshi Perrcard. Losing in the semi-final of the French magic square at Roland-Garros juniors 2021 – won by Van Assche against Fils – he is also experiencing slower progression than his compatriots. 122nd in the world today, he is slowly getting closer, and could well explode during the second part of the 2024 season.
Winner of three Challengers on hard courts since the start of the season, including two in April in Mexico, the protégé of Emmanuel Planque, former coach of Lucas Pouille, arrives with confidence. Despite a recent defeat during the first round of qualifying at the Masters 1000 in Rome, against Richard Gasquet, “GMP” continues to progress. At home, a week before the start of Roland-Garros, he reached the semi-finals of an ATP tournament in Lyon for the first time in his career. Invited to Roland-Garros, the opportunity is great, finally, to show yourself to the general public.
The profile: “When he is well practiced like that on his serve, it’s very complicated. He is of the caliber of an Isner or a Karlovic,” said David Goffin, ex-7th in the world, beaten by the young Frenchman, during this same tournament in Antwerp, in October 2023. On a fast surface, the Lyonnais often makes the difference with his throw-in from the height of his 2.03m. On the Parisian clay court, known to be slower, he will have to display other ranges of his game to succeed in igniting the Parisian public. Brooded by Emmanuel Plancque, his game continues to evolve and “GMP” becomes more and more effective and complete.
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Recent form: “This week was a turning point for me on earth. It shows me that I can achieve very good results. I will have less apprehension on this surface and more confidence in the future. I am happy to have learned this lesson,” said Terence Atmane, after his defeat against Grigor Dimitrov (7-6, 6-3) in the 3rd round of the Masters 1000 in Rome, on May 12.
Performing on hard court in 2023 on the Challenger circuit (2 victories), then gradually on the ATP circuit – before experiencing a dip in the first part of the season in 2024 – the native of Boulogne-sur-Mer reassured himself before Roland- Garros on a surface that he masters less. Before winning four matches in a row in Rome with qualifying, he had only won one match on clay this year. Invited last year to qualify for Roland-Garros, the Northerner, then 249th in the world, fell heavily against the Czech Kolar (6-1, 6-0).
Profile: Terence Atmane is the type of player who can make court 14 stand up on a Tuesday evening in the first week, when the sun will be setting at Porte d’Auteuil. Long coached by Robin Boulé – they separated in February 2024 after a meteoric rise from 1000th place in the world to the top 200 in two years – Terence Atmane is an atypical profile. Sometimes hampered by his nervousness, he is also capable of drawing on encouragement to excel during a match.
The 1.91 m tennis player thwarts his opponents with his explosive style, his big forehand and an unacademic serve. Although Atmane has gained confidence throughout 2023, there is still room for improvement. Faced with the big servers, the 22-year-old must still progress to ultimately reach the top 100.
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Form: The original Messin is experiencing linear progression on the professional circuit. After having rubbed shoulders with future tournaments (third pro division) at the dawn of his career, then the Challengers (second pro division) until today, Mayot is starting to show himself competitive on the ATP circuit. In Metz, at the end of 2023, he reached the quarter-finals of an ATP 250 tournament for the first time in its history. A performance that he will repeat a few months later, in Marseille.
The young Lorraine still lacks experience, since he has never won any titles on the professional circuit, despite three Challenger finals. His background at Roland-Garros is also quite weak, with only one invitation to the first round in 2020 (loss against Davidovich Fokina), and one defeat in the first round of qualifying last year.
Profile: The winner of the 2020 Junior Australian Open is renowned for his technique. He is a fairly complete player, capable of putting the same intensity with his flat backhand as with his forehand. A great admirer of Rafael Nadal, the native of Metz knows how to return his opponents’ serves and loves playing under pressure.
Qualities that can take him far at Roland-Garros, even if his game is more suited to hard court or grass. Last year, he made his first Grand Slam appearance, at Wimbledon. An experience to repeat, this year, on Parisian soil.
Form: Chloé Paquet already has a long history at Roland Garros. In six appearances at the Parisian Grand Slam, where she received an invitation this year, she has never made it past the second round. A sad run for Versaillaise in its tournament, but its start to the season is rather convincing.
Two semi-finals (Koper, Bellinzona) and a Challenger final in Saint-Malo, lost against Lois Boisson, 20 years old, great hope in women’s tennis, who will not be able to participate in Roland-Garros, due to a ligament rupture cross.
The profile: The one who launched into tennis, only after obtaining the baccalaureate, in 2012, has natural athletic qualities, but above all a big character. “We had to manage emotions better. I am a person with a strong temperament, so I had difficulty with anger in particular,” she told Ouest-France, in 2021. If today, wisdom has taken over, she knows that her nervousness Yesterday can still emerge at the worst of times.
Form: In three participations in the main draw at Roland-Garros, Elsa Jacquemot has only passed the first round once before stopping immediately in the second round against Angelique Kerber in 2022. Not out of qualifying following year, she returned this year – thanks to an invitation – to launch her young career.
The resident of the Mouratoglou academy did not make it past the semi-finals of Challenger, in 2024, on hard court and on clay. Mixed results which leave the young woman in doubt. Nothing suggests a great adventure in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, but the magic often chooses to operate when you feel at your lowest. Especially when we won Roland-Garros Junior 2020.
Profile: With a father who is a former French decathlon champion and a mother who is a cross-country specialist, Elsa Jacquemot has been immersed in sport since her youth.
The native of the Lyon region has natural physical qualities, which allow her to be able to put a lot of intensity into her movements. Having gone through Thierry Ascione’s academy, she has an excellent forehand and an aggressive game from the baseline.