French Open 2012: Contenders (Men's)

A look at the leading contenders in the men's singles at the 2012 French Open which gets underway at Roland Garros. (All AFP Images)

World ranking: 1

Career singles titles: 30

Grand Slam singles titles: 5 (Australian Open 2008, 2011, 2012, Wimbledon 2011, US Open 2011)

Career prize money: $36,889,162

Best French Open result: Semi-finals (2007, 2008, 2011)

- Bidding to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four majors at the same time. Twelve months ago, had a 43-match winning run halted by Roger Federer and is still to get beyond the semi-finals in Paris. Runner-up to Rafael Nadal in Monte Carlo and Rome this season and signs are that only the Spaniard will stop him here.

World ranking: 2

Career singles titles: 49

Grand Slam singles titles: 10 (Australian Open 2009; French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; US Open 2010)

Career prize money: $48,433,332

Best French Open result: Champion (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011)

- History beckons for Nadal who attempts to become the first man ever to win seven French Open titles. Boasts an incredible career record of 45 wins and just one loss at Roland Garros. Claycourt titles this year in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome suggest that history will be made in two weeks' time.

World ranking: 3

Career singles titles: 74

Grand Slam singles titles: 16 (Australian Open 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010; French Open 2009; Wimbledon 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009; US Open 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)

Career prize money: $70,658,944

Best French Open result: Champion (2009)

- Written off as a has-been until he halted Djokovic's run in Paris in 2011 before losing a fourth final to Nadal. A winner on clay in Madrid - albeit blue clay - indicates that even with his 31st birthday fast approaching Federer remains a formidable force.

World ranking: 4

Career singles titles: 22

Grand Slam singles titles: 0

Career prize money: $20,376,752

Best French Open result: Semi-finals (2011)

- Britain's only top-class male player and constantly under pressure to end his country's 76-year wait for a Grand Slam singles champion. In another era, would undoubtedly have put that to bed. Murray goes into Paris under a fitness cloud, nursing a bad back which is unlikely to improve on the unforgiving Roland Garros courts.

World ranking: 6

Career singles titles: 14

Grand Slam singles titles: 0

Career prize money: $13,878,532

Best French Open result: Quarter-finals (2005, 2008)

- Nicknamed 'The Bulldozer', Ferrer once became so disillusioned that he gave up tennis to work on a building site. A legendary grinder on clay courts, the battling Spaniard will be there to thrive on the scraps should the big four fail.

World ranking: 7

Career singles titles: 7

Grand Slam singles titles: 0

Career prize money: $11,277,540

Best French Open result: Quarter-finals (2005, 2008)

- Never to be under-estimated, Berdych could be this year's Robin Soderling (twice a shock finalist), a big-swinging threat to the established order. Runner-up to Federer in Madrid this year and semi-finalist in Monte Carlo.