French Open chief set for awkward conversation as home stars raise concerns

The is set to face a scheduling headache this Saturday as the final between and in Munich threatens to overshadow the tennis tournament in Paris. The clash of these titanic sporting events could spell trouble for both attendance and player focus at Roland Garros.

Parisian hopeful Arthur Fils, who is set to play Jaume Munar in the second round on Thursday, could find himself torn between the courts and his footballing passion if he progresses. "I plan to go to the match," Fils quipped about the potential conflict before adding: "No, it's a huge final. I'll watch it from my room. I don't want to waste energy on it, but I'll be fully invested.

"Let me play my match on Thursday then I'll go and have a word with Amelie," hinting at a conversation with tournament director Amelie Mauresmo.

While Fils may have made light of the situation, the reality is that Mauresmo has a real conundrum on her hands, with the prospect of diminished crowds for the third-round matches on Saturday evening as fans may flock to local bars to support PSG in their quest for European glory.

PSG ace Ousmane Dembele graced the French Open draw ceremony, while team-mates Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Desire Doue and Joao Neves were spotted at Roland Garros cheering on in his opening match

Dembele's friend, Ugo Humbert, who faces Britain's Jacob Fearnley, is eager for an early Saturday game if Humbert advances. "More like the start of the day," he quipped about the potential timing. "While we're recovering - 11 a.m. is very good!".

Meanwhile, Gael Monfils is set to battle British No. 1 Jack Draper on Thursday, yet even defeat won't dampen his spirits as his wife Elina Svitolina is also vying for glory.

"For the moment, I don't have a ticket (for the final in Munich)," he admitted. "But you have to remember that I have my wife. Getting a ticket isn't a problem, [but] we'll also have to see if I can go."

Defending champion Alcaraz, despite being a Real Madrid supporter, is throwing his weight behind PSG come Saturday night. "Of course I will watch it," he declared.

"I watch football, I watch him [Dembele] a lot as a huge fan of La Liga, and when you were playing in Barcelona you made some trouble and some pain for us [Real Madrid].

"Yeah, I'm going to watch the final. And, honestly, I've told everyone that I'm supporting PSG this time."

Jannik Sinner expressed his national pride and personal connection, stating: "As an Italian, I say that it would be nice to see an Italian team win. [PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi] Donnarumma is also here. We've been good friends for a long time, we know each other well and for me it was an honour to see him in my box."