Why bother playing the French Open now because Rafael Nadal might not drop a set en route to what looks to an easy run to a ridiculous 12th title in Paris.

The draw, which just came out, looks great for Rafa and equally horrible for his main threat, Novak Djokovic.

Roger Federer of course is a big story and for his time away the tennis gods did him a solid with a …

Happy Birthday to Novak Djokovic who turns 32 today. The World No. 1 is enjoying a brief week of rest before returning next week to Roland Garros where he will resume his bid for a second French Open title and a second Career Slam.

After a loss Sunday to Rafael Nadal in the Rome final, Djokovic tipped the Spaniard as the favorite to win again in Paris.

“Nadal, number one favorite, …

After four years away, Roger Federer returned to Roland Garros yesterday, hitting on the newly-renovated Philippe Chatrier Court for the first time.

Federer’s last match at the French was a 2015 quarterfinal loss to Stan Warwinka.

And of course 2019 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Swiss winning his lone French Open title in 2009 when he completed his Career Slam….

Karolina Pliskova collected the biggest clay court title of her career Sunday beating Johanna Konta 6-3, 6-4 to win Rome.

It was Pliskova’s 13th career title, third on clay and second of the season. It also moves her to No. 2 in the rankings.

The 27-year-old Czech dropped just one set.

“It feels great, especially since nobody really gave me a chance for this tournament, even, I think, me,” Pliskova said. …

This week, Rafael Nadal sent a clear and unmistakable message to the tennis world that he is still the one and the only true King of Clay. And Sunday in Italy, he capped it off taking care of rival Novak Djokovic convincingly 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 to win his ninth Rome title.

“What means most to me is this trophy,” Nadal said after winning his first title of the season. “Rome is …

If you were looking for surprises in Rome this week, the men’s draw wasn’t it. While the women’s field will crown a new champion after rounds of injuries and upsets, the men’s final features two of the titans, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, locking up for another Rome title, another Masters shield and the confidence of going into the French Open as arguably the favorite.

As for the rest of …

Johanna Konta kept her return to form going in Rome Saturday beating an in-form Kiki Bertens 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.

“I’m very pleased to be in the final here,” Konta said after the 2-hour, 47-minute win. “It’s my second biggest final behind Miami. That’s a big achievement in my career so far. I’m definitely very conscious and appreciative of this opportunity, of this situation.

“I’ve never really doubted my ability on the surface. …

Karolina Pliskova overcame a set deficit to put away a pesky Victoria Azarenka 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-2 to her 500th career match and reach the Rome semifinals.

Pliskova led early and then served for the opener at 5-3. But Azarenka, who had won four of seven entering against the Czech, came back to force the breaker, and she took the first when Pliskova double faulted.

But Pliskova would only dropped four of the …

Juan Martin del Potro had Novak Djokovic dead to rights late Friday night in Rome, but the big Argentine just couldn’t finish the job.

After coming from a 2-5 hole, del Potro forced a second set breaker and held a 6-4 lead with a match point on his racquet. But a mishit off a short forehand nullified one and then with Djokovic serving, a delicately placed dropped shot saved the other. …

The carnage from a back-logged Thursday schedule continued today in Rome. After injuries/retirements to Grand Slam champions Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova and Garbine Muguruza, today Naomi Osaka pulled out because of a right hand issue.

The Japanese, who won two matches yesterday, was scheduled to face Madrid champion Kiki Bertens. The Dutchwoman now gets the walkover into the semifinals.

“I woke up this morning and couldn’t really move my thumb,” Osaka said. …

After a busy Thursday, Roger Federer withdrew from the Rome Masters today ahead of his quarterfinal clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Playing just his second clay event, the 37-year-old was forced to take the court twice yesterday, and saved two match points in a thrilling win over Borna Coric. During the match, Federer complained of the wet lines and admitted afterward that he felt something in his leg.

“The lines are wet,” Federer …

On a very busy double-up day in Rome, world No. 1 Naomi Osaka locked up the top seed at the French and moved in to the quarterfinals after identical 6-3, 6-3 wins over Dominika Cibulkova and Mihaela Buzarnescu.

It’s her first clay quarterfinal and puts the 21-year-old up against Madrid champ Kiki Bertens. The Dutchwoman ran her win streak to eight straight after Thursday wins over Amanda Anisimova and Carla Suarez …

For the second straight week Roger Federer went right to the edge of elimination, saving 2 match points to Borna Coric 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(7).

Because of the Wednesday washout, nearly all of the top players were forced to win two matches today to make the quarterfinal.

Federer earlier cruised past Joao Sousa 6-4, 6-3 and was far from his best against the Croat. Coric broke the Swiss twice in the first, …

Bad boy Nick Kyrgios is again back in the news for all the wrong reasons. Today in Rome, the Australian had dropped dropped serve to make it 1-all in third and then all hell broke loose. He began arguing with someone in the stands, then smashed his racquet and tossed a chair for which he received a game penalty making it 2-1 Ruud.

Disgusted, he packed up his belongings and left …

For the first time in tournament history, a fully day of play was washed out in Rome today. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Noami Osaka and my other were scheduled to play their first matches at the Italian Open, now they will be forced to not only play tomorrow, but also play their second match as well.

With a massive schedule today that included the return of Federer, tournament organizers …