The Big Four of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal are the leading contenders for the men's title at the French Open, but they're not the only players worth keeping an eye on. A look at some of the others to watch during the tournament.
No. 6 Kei Nishikori
The Japanese 25-year-old has leveled off a bit following his big strides of the previous season, but did defend his title in Barcelona. He hasn't been beating the top players recently, but is still one of the top alternate picks because of his prior performances, which includes being a set and a break up against Nadal in the Madrid final. The US Open finalist seems to be injury-free and is looking to make another big run at a major.
No. 8 David Ferrer
The Spaniard was 32 years old coming into this season but is still working to improve his game. Ferrer hired a new coach and made a racket adjustment. It's been paying off. Ferrer has three titles and returned to the top eight. The red clay is where he plays his best, reaching the quarterfinals and semifinals at all the events leading into the tournament. Ferrer's game isn't as big as those of the Big Four, and he finds it difficult to beat them. But the former French Open finalist is well-positioned to take advantage of any disruption in the draw.
No. 4 Tomas Berdych
Outside the Big Four, no one has stopped Berdych on clay this season. The Czech is up to fourth in the rankings. The 29-year-old doesn't have a game that seems built for clay, but he is a former French Open semifinalist and hits powerfully enough to hit through the cloying clay. What Berdych needs is a little inspiration.
No. 29 Fabio Fognini
The temperamental Italian always provides a spectacle, whether he's producing a brilliant performance or going down to defeat in a racket-tossing rage. There's no telling what he's going to do at the French Open. The 27-year-old has two wins against Nadal on clay this season but otherwise has had trouble just winning matches. But clay is by far Fognini's best surface, and he's someone none of the top players will want in their section.
No. 14 Gael Monfils
It's hard to tell whether Monfils is playing well or shouldn't be playing at all. The 29-year-old Frenchman started the clay season by withdrawing from Houston with a hip injury, then defeated Federer on his way to the Monte Carlo semifinals. Monfils also made the semifinals the following week in Munich before withdrawing with a knee injury. He followed up with a long match in the third round of Madrid but withdrew from Rome. Monfils joins several of his compatriots, such as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet in having injury problems, though Monfils responds to the French crowds better than any of them.
No. 30 Nick Kyrgios
The newly 20-year-old Australian is playing his first full-fledged clay season, and he has already had an impact by reaching the Estoril final and defeating Federer in Madrid. The showman Kyrgios enjoys playing Grand Slams, and he will be one of the seeds at a major for the first time at the French Open. He's another player whose big game doesn't seem suited to clay, but he can still impose himself on the surface. As Kyrgios has showed by now, he doesn't back down from big occasions.