Two-time champion Alcaraz’s absence with a wrist injury has deprived Roland Garros of one of the sport’s biggest stars.
It also means his absorbing rivalry with Sinner – which led to such a thrilling final in Paris last year – has been put on hold, with the pair having won the past nine Grand Slam titles between them.
Sinner, who has lifted the Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome clay-court titles as part of a 29-match winning streak, is now the overwhelming favourite to win what would be a maiden French Open title.
At this stage it is difficult to see anybody stopping him.
Djokovic is the only man other than Alcaraz who has beaten Sinner at the majors since Wimbledon in 2024.
But the 24-time major champion has barely played since the Australian Open, where he beat Sinner in the semi-finals before losing to Alcaraz.
Djokovic sticks to a sparse schedule these days, believing it gives him the best shot at finally moving clear of Margaret Court in terms of all-time major wins.
Playing a huge server like Mpetshi Perricard is not ideal for his hopes of finding rhythm, although Djokovic still has more than enough quality to beat a player ranked 80 in the world.
