For the first time in 10 years, there will be new Roland Garros champions in both the men’s and women’s singles following a whirlwind 72 hours.
Only three Grand Slam winners remain in the women’s field – Aryna Sabalenka, Naomi Osaka and Madison Keys – while there will be a first-time men's major champion in Paris for the first time since a 19-year-old Rafael Nadal triumphed in 2005.
There is a strong possibility in both brackets that a rising teenage star will follow in the Spaniard’s footsteps.
In a tournament where reigning champion Coco Gauff and four-time title holder Iga Swiatek have suffered shock losses, Mirra Andreeva is conducting business as usual at the French Slam.
Meanwhile, fellow teenagers Joao Fonseca and Rafael Jodar are wreaking havoc in the men’s draw, as they further assert themselves as title contenders.
Andreeva is through to her third consecutive Roland Garros quarterfinal, after defeating Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann in straight sets on Sunday. At just 19, she became the youngest woman to achieve that feat since Martina Hingis in 1999, showcasing the rarity of a player so young achieving such elite consistency.
As one of three top-10 players remaining in the women’s singles draw and with top-five seeds Swiatek and Elena Rybakina eliminated from her half, could this be the year Andreeva breaks through for the title?
The world No.8 believes she is primed, both physically and mentally, to tackle the big moments.
“I feel like I'm a little bit more prepared for some situations that might go not according to the plan on the court, either with my game or if my opponent starts to play better or if, I don't know, something happens with the crowd,” Andreeva said.
“I feel like I know what to do in those moments. Maybe sometimes it doesn't work the best way, but I have the plan in my head. So I feel like that's been better.
“I also feel like I have kind of became a little bit more stronger physically and mentally, as well.”
Meanwhile, the progression of Fonseca and Jodar to the quarterfinals, along with 20-year-old Jakub Mensik, means that for the first time this century three men under 21 have reached this stage at the same Grand Slam.
An enticing quarterfinal awaits as Fonseca and Mensik compete in their first Tour-level encounter on the back of their impressive campaigns.
The Brazilian enters the battle having successively defeated Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud. Advancing to his first career major quarterfinal, while recording his first top-five victory over Djokovic, fills the 19-year-old with confidence.
“[My match] against Djokovic was more mental. It was tough in the beginning. Conditions were different, much hotter and against a guy that I respect a lot,” Fonseca said.
“Not that I don’t respect Casper, it’s just that I was feeling more confident in today’s match and more aggressive, going for the shots and trying to command on the points pretty [early].”
That confidence has also been instilled in Mensik and Jodar, who have also progressed to their maiden Grand Slam quarterfinals.
Like Fonseca, who was two sets down against Djokovic, both players have faced hefty deficits throughout the week, but have responded convincingly to keep their tournaments alive.
This has particularly been motivating for Fonseca, who is enjoying the healthy competition of the ATP Next-Gen alumni.
“It’s great to have the next generation doing pretty well. Not only Jodar, Mensik and me, but also Learner [Tien], Michelsen, Landaluce,” the Brazilian said. “We have a new generation playing really good tennis.
“It’s good to have them around, pushing me for sure, having some great battles.”
Jodar is quickly emerging as a claycourt force, with 19 wins to his name this clay swing – the most at tour level. However, many forget this is his first full season on the professional tour.
“I'm just trying to enjoy the process. Everything is new for me, I'm going to learn a lot,” said the 19-year-old.
"I think this year will give me a lot of experience. There are things that I don't know because it's obvious that it's my first year, so I'll miss some things.
“But, walking into these big courts, it feels very special.”
World No.2 Alexander Zverev awaits the Spaniard next, a challenge Jodar is looking forward to.
“He’s a great player obviously. What he has done is amazing, one of the best players right now on the tour. I’ll just try to give my best,” he said.
“It’s a quarterfinals match against one of the best players in the world so I’ll try to enjoy the opportunity and take a lot of learnings and go [in] with the [same] belief as today and as the other matches that if I do the things well, I can take the win.”
Regardless of who hoists the Roland Garros trophies this weekend, signs this new crop of players are beginning to impact the top of the sport are more obvious than ever.