French Open 2025 Preview
The 2025 French Open, the 124th edition of this storied Grand Slam, is set to unfold from May 25 to June 8 at the iconic Roland Garros Stadium in Paris. As the only major played on clay, it offers a unique challenge that tests players’ endurance, strategy, and adaptability. This year’s tournament promises high-stakes drama, with rising stars, seasoned champions, and compelling narratives converging on the red clay.
Established in 1891, the French Open is one of tennis’ four Grand Slam tournaments and the premier clay court event in the world. Named after French aviator Roland Garros, the tournament has been a stage for legends like Björn Borg, Chris Evert, Rafael Nadal, and Justine Henin. The slow-playing surface of clay demands exceptional physical and mental resilience, often leading to some of the sport’s most gruelling and memorable matches.
Like every year, the tournament strives to renew itself and offer improvements that benefit both the players and the fans. These are among the significant changes that Roland Garros 2025 will have in its upcoming edition.
There will be no changes in the schedule structure of the other rounds, something that has generated so much controversy in recent years. Therefore, there will continue to be three matches in the daytime session at Philippe Chatrier, starting at 12:00 p.m., followed by an evening match starting no earlier than 8:15 p.m. This will continue to cause delays, and the last match may start on more than one occasion after 9:00 p.m., which leads to best-of-five sets. The change comes in the schedule of the men’s semi-finals, set for Friday, June 6. The first semi-final will remain scheduled for 2:30 p.m., while the second semi-final will now be part of an evening session. This is the big news, since previously, the second semi-final started no earlier than 5:30 p.m. and was all part of the same session. For the fans, there will be two different sessions instead of just one. Thus, the second semi-final will start no earlier than 7:00 p.m. Although it is true that in past occasions, the second semi-final has started around this time, fans from the first session will have to vacate Philippe Chatrier to make way for those attending the evening session, who will exclusively enjoy the second men’s semi-final.
The tournament announces the release of 160,000 tickets priced at less than €30, making it much more accessible for fans. In 2024, Roland Garros announced a historical attendance record for the tournament, with a total of 675,080 spectators.
Recap of the 2024 French Open
Carlos Alcaraz captured his first French Open title in 2024, defeating Alexander Zverev in a five-set thriller: 6–3, 2–6, 5–7, 6–1, 6–2. This victory marked Alcaraz’s third Grand Slam title and made him the youngest male player to win majors on three different surfaces.
Iga Świątek continued her dominance on clay by securing her fourth French Open title, overpowering Jasmine Paolini 6–2, 6–1 in the final. This win extended her Roland Garros winning streak to 21 matches, solidifying her status as the queen of clay.
Top Contenders for 2025
Carlos Alcaraz (Spain)
As the defending champion and current World No. 3, Alcaraz enters Roland Garros with confidence and momentum. His explosive athleticism and strategic acumen make him a formidable opponent on clay. Alcaraz’s ability to adapt and his previous success on this surface position him as a leading contender.
Jannik Sinner (Italy)
Newly crowned World No. 1, Sinner returns to competition after a three-month suspension, greeted by enthusiastic support in Rome. With a 22-match winning streak since September, his powerful baseline game and mental toughness make him a serious threat. However, he may face a more challenging reception from the Parisian crowd.
Alexander Zverev (Germany)
Zverev, the 2024 finalist, has shown consistent performance on clay. Despite recent early exits in the European clay season, he remains a top contender due to his experience and skill set. His belief in his capabilities, even amidst challenges, underscores his potential for a deep run.
Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
At 38, Djokovic seeks to surpass the age barrier that has eluded many champions. Despite recent struggles and a drop to World No. 6, his unparalleled experience and previous successes make him a dangerous competitor. His motivation to achieve a record 25th Grand Slam title keeps him in the conversation.
Further down the rankings, one can find the likes of Alex de Minaur, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Holger Rune and the improving Jack Draper.
Women’s Singles
Iga Świątek (Poland)
Świątek aims for her fifth French Open title, bringing a 21-match winning streak at Roland Garros. Her dominance on clay and strategic prowess make her the player to beat. However, recent losses suggest potential vulnerabilities that competitors may seek to exploit.
Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)
Sabalenka, the World No. 1, has shown significant improvement on clay, winning the Madrid Open. Her powerful game and recent performances indicate she could challenge Świątek’s dominance. A deep run in Paris would mark a significant milestone in her career.
Coco Gauff (USA)
Gauff’s recent performances, including a dominant win over Świątek in Madrid, highlight her growing threat on clay. As a former finalist and reigning doubles champion, her confidence and adaptability position her as a strong contender.
Naomi Osaka (Japan)
Osaka’s recent title win at the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo marks her first on clay and since becoming a mother. This victory signifies her successful return to professional tennis and boosts her confidence ahead of Roland Garros.
Prize Money and Player Compensation
The 2025 French Open boasts a record-breaking total prize pool of €56.352 million, reflecting a 5.21% increase from the previous year. This increment aligns with broader trends across Grand Slam tournaments, responding to players’ calls for higher compensation.
In the singles competitions, both the men’s and women’s champions will each earn €2.55 million, up from €2.4 million in 2024. Runners-up receive €1.275 million, while semi-finalists and quarter-finalists are awarded €690,000 and €440,000, respectively. First-round participants will take home €78,000, an increase from €73,000 last year.
Doubles champions in both men’s and women’s events will share €590,000, with runners-up earning €295,000. Mixed doubles winners will receive €122,000, and the prize money decreases progressively through earlier rounds.
These figures are part of broader increases in Grand Slam pay-outs amid player driven demands for higher compensation. Comparatively, the 2025 Australian Open winners received A$3.5 million ($2.26 million), while the 2024 U.S. Open and Wimbledon champions earned $3.6 million and £2.7 million ($3.61 million), respectively.
Despite these increases, some top players, including Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka, have expressed that the increments are insufficient, advocating for a more significant share of tournament revenues. The French Open’s prize money still represents a smaller percentage of its total revenue compared to other major sports leagues, where athletes often receive around 50% of revenues.
Potential Surprises and Emerging Talents
Emerging talents like Jack Draper and Jelena Ostapenko have shown promise leading up to Roland Garros. Draper’s adaptability on clay and recent victories over top players suggest he could make a significant impact.
In the women’s draw, players like Jelena Ostapenko, a former French Open champion, and rising stars such as Linda Noskova and Emma Navarro could pose challenges to higher-ranked opponents. Their recent performances indicate readiness to capitalise on any opportunities that arise during the tournament.
The 2025 French Open promises to be a tournament filled with high stakes matches, emerging talents, and the potential for historic achievements. As seasoned champions defend their titles and new contenders rise, fans can anticipate two weeks of exhilarating tennis on the iconic clay courts of Roland Garros.
Last Updated: 20.05.2025
