The French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year, begins on May 25, 2025, at Roland Garros in Paris, France. This clay-court major is known for its slow surface speed, which favors baseline players and those with strong endurance.
Tournament Overview
- Defending Champion: Iga Swiatek (2024 winner)
- Surface: Clay
- Total Prize Money: $26,334,000
- Singles Draw: 128 players
- Doubles Draw: 64 teams
Top Contenders & Favorites
1. Aryna Sabalenka (World No. 1)
- Recent Form: Won the Madrid Open (WTA 1000), strong clay-court season.
- Strengths: Powerful baseline game, aggressive serving.
- Concerns: Inconsistent performances in Paris.
2. Coco Gauff (World No. 2)
- Recent Form: Finalist in Madrid and Rome, strong clay-court results.
- Strengths: Athleticism, defensive skills, improved serve.
- Concerns: Struggles against Swiatek in Paris.
3. Iga Swiatek (World No. 3)
- Recent Form: Four-time French Open champion, but struggling in 2025.
- Strengths: Clay-court dominance, tactical shot-making.
- Concerns: Lack of recent titles, potential vulnerability.
4. Mirra Andreeva (Rising Star)
- Recent Form: Strong clay-court performances, semifinalist in Madrid.
- Strengths: Aggressive baseline play, fearless attitude.
- Concerns: Lack of Grand Slam experience.
5. Qinwen Zheng (Olympic Gold Medalist)
- Recent Form: Semifinalist in Rome, strong clay-court game.
- Strengths: Powerful groundstrokes, tactical play.
- Concerns: Inconsistent deep runs in majors.
Tournament Storylines
- Can Sabalenka win her first French Open? She enters as the top seed but has never won in Paris.
- Will Gauff break through? She has avoided Swiatek in her draw, making her path easier.
- Swiatek’s redemption arc: The four-time champion is looking to reclaim dominance after a tough season.
- New Grand Slam debutants: Nine players, including Alexandra Eala and Tereza Valentova, are making their main-draw debuts.
Prediction
The women’s field is wide open, with Sabalenka, Gauff, and Swiatek as the main contenders. If Swiatek regains her form, she could win her fifth French Open title, but Gauff and Sabalenka are strong challengers.
