The 22-year-old Spaniard beat his top rival Jannik Sinner in the final, a further boost of confidence ahead of the second Major of the season. The Murcia-born ace has already clinched four Grand Slam titles and seven Masters 1000 titles, but he knows he has to keep working hard if he really wants to become one of the best players of all time.

Sabalenka's rise makes Swiatek's odds that much more valuable and bettors are jumping on the opportunity to get such a good price on someone who has dominated this tournament. At

Rafael Nadal said farewell to Roland Garros on Sunday in an emotional tribute -- and Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek had a front-row seat.

Roland Garros will pay tribute to its greatest champion with a ceremony for the retired Rafael Nadal on Sunday, while Aryna Sabalenka got her French Open campaign up and running with an emphatic victory.

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner to claim the Rome title heading into Roland Garros. / IMAGO / Insidefoto Twenty years ago, Rafael Nadal won his first major, the 2005 French Open. An improbable 21 majors followed—a goofy 13 more of them at Roland Garros.

The French Open first round continues on Monday at Roland Garros with defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek beginning their title defences, while world number one Jannik Sinner opens his quest for a fourth Grand Slam crown.

Nadal, a 14-time Roland Garros champion whose record may never be surpassed, was honored by tennis rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.