French Open Midterm Grades: Sweltering Conditions Blanket Roland Garros

The French Open opened under sweltering heat that dominated Roland Garros' first week, reshaping play as players grappled with conditions that even affected spectators and officials. With Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic eliminating early and Coco Gauff knocked out in the third round, the men's draw appears wide open, while the defending champion's absence on the women's side underscores the volatility. The heat produced retirements and withdrawals, turning many matches into tests of endurance rather than pure rallying. Youth shone in short bursts, including 17-year-old Moïse Kouamé and 19-year-olds João Fonseca and Rafael Jódar, with Iga Świątek quietly building form.