Paris Olympics: Djokovic with Zverev, Musetti, Tsitsipas and Nadal, Alcaraz with Medvedev, Ruud, De Minaur and Humbert
We've been saying it for weeks: the ATP circuit is opening up and, although the final winners are more or less predictable, the tournaments are becoming less and less closed.
This year's edition of the Olympic Games in Paris promises to be particularly indecisive and, to say the least, the draw has turned up the heat.
While the two halves of the draw appear to be fairly evenly matched, Djokovic's top half is perhaps even more difficult than Alcaraz's top half.
Novak Djokovic will have to play his very best tennis if he wants to win Olympic gold.
After a seemingly straightforward first match, he could face a huge challenge in the second round, with a potential duel against a certain Rafael Nadal, 14-time title-holder at Porte d'Auteuil.
After that, the games are fairly open, but he'll probably have to put down players such as Fils, Arnaldi or Raonic.
From the quarter-finals onwards, it's a real obstacle course, theoretically. First of all, he could come up against a certain Stefanos Tsitsipas, winner of the Monte-Carlos title in April.
Then, for a place in the final, he is likely to face another formidable opponent, as he could come up against Zverev or Musetti.
Let's be clear, if "Nole" wants to leave Paris with the gold medal, he has no real choice: he'll have to play his best tennis, and fast.
In the bottom half of the table, Alcaraz won't have to rest on his laurels either, even if he has been a little spared. After opening matches within his grasp, things could get tougher.
In the Round of 16, he could meet Alejandro Tabilo, who is very strong on clay. After that, it's likely to be De Minaur, in the form of his life, who will come up against him.
Finally, to reach the final, "Carlito" would theoretically have to overcome Medvedev, Humbert or Ruud.
Whichever of the two players makes the final, it's certain that they will have sold their skins dearly.
Of course, there are likely to be plenty of surprises and exploits to shake up these Olympic Games. Hostilities begin on Saturday.
