The 2025 French Open is underway, and while the world eagerly watches the men’s singles, tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have turned their attention to the women’s draw, offering their insights on who might lift the coveted Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. Their predictions, along with those of other experts, have stirred up quite a buzz, highlighting the exciting possibilities and potential upsets in this year’s tournament.
Alcaraz Bets on “The Tiger”
Carlos Alcaraz, the defending men’s champion, has thrown his support behind Aryna Sabalenka. When asked about his pick for the women’s champion, Alcaraz confidently stated, “To be honest, I think Aryna Sabalenka. She’s the tiger. I love watching her play, so I think she can win.”
Alcaraz’s endorsement comes after Sabalenka’s dominant opening-round performance, where she dismantled Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 6-0 in just over an hour. While Sabalenka’s historical performance on clay has been weaker than on hard courts, she has shown significant improvement, securing three Madrid Open titles and making deep runs in other WTA clay-court events.
Sabalenka has displayed remarkable consistency, reaching at least the semifinals in the last six Grand Slams and clinching the Australian Open title earlier this year. Her current form and powerful playing style make her a strong contender for the French Open title.
Sinner Sides with the “Queen of Clay”
While Alcaraz is backing Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, the world’s number one ranked player, is leaning towards Iga Swiatek, acknowledging her impressive record at Roland Garros. “Iga usually plays good here, moving well on clay. So I would go with her,” Sinner said.
Iga Swiatek is a four-time French Open champion, including a dominant win in 2024. She has won four of the past five Roland Garros women’s singles titles and arrives in Paris as the three-time defending champion. Known as the “Queen of Clay,” Swiatek has a remarkable record at the French Open, with 35 wins in 37 career matches.
Despite her historical dominance, Swiatek’s recent form has raised some concerns. She has had early exits in Madrid and Rome, leading some to question her ability to maintain her dominance on clay this season. However, her experience and past success at Roland Garros make her a formidable opponent.
Other Contenders in the Mix
Besides Sabalenka and Swiatek, several other players are considered strong contenders for the French Open women’s title:
- Coco Gauff: The young American has been in excellent form, reaching the finals in both Madrid and Rome. Gauff is known for her athleticism and powerful game, making her a threat on clay.
- Mirra Andreeva: This teenage sensation has been rapidly rising in the rankings. She reached the French Open semifinals last year and has shown great potential on clay.
- Jasmine Paolini: After winning the Italian Open, Paolini has emerged as a strong contender. Her recent triumph in Rome has boosted her confidence.
- Elena Rybakina: While clay is not her favorite surface, Rybakina is always a threat at Grand Slams. Her powerful serve and aggressive style can trouble any opponent.
Expert Opinions and Betting Odds
The experts are divided on who will win the French Open women’s title. Some favor Sabalenka due to her current form, while others believe Swiatek’s experience at Roland Garros will give her the edge. Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva are also popular picks, with many recognizing their potential to make a deep run in the tournament.
According to the latest betting odds, Aryna Sabalenka is the slight favorite, followed closely by Iga Swiatek. Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva are also among the top contenders, with Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina as potential dark horses.
Swiatek’s Quest for a Fourth Consecutive Title
Iga Swiatek is aiming to become the first female player to win four consecutive French Open crowns in the professional era since 1968. Despite a relatively slow start to the season, Swiatek remains a formidable force on clay.
Swiatek has acknowledged that she was inspired by the emotional tribute to Rafael Nadal, the “King of Clay,” and is motivated to continue her success at Roland Garros. She has a tough draw this year, potentially facing Emma Raducanu, Elena Rybakina, and Jelena Ostapenko early in her run.
Sabalenka’s Clay Court Evolution
Aryna Sabalenka has been working hard to improve her clay-court game. With three Madrid Open titles and consistent deep runs in WTA clay-court events, she has shown growing comfort and tactical adaptability on the surface.
Sabalenka’s aggressive style and powerful groundstrokes make her a difficult opponent on any surface. If she can maintain her consistency and control her errors, she has the potential to win her first French Open title.
Gauff’s Rising Star
Coco Gauff has been steadily improving her game on clay. With runner-up finishes in Madrid and Rome, she has demonstrated her clay-court prowess and is eager to win her first French Open title.
Gauff’s athleticism, court coverage, and improved serve make her a well-rounded player capable of competing with the best on clay. Her draw places her on the opposite side of Sabalenka, potentially setting up an exciting final.
Andreeva’s Breakthrough Potential
Mirra Andreeva has emerged as a rising star in the tennis world. With a French Open semifinal appearance last year, she has proven her ability to compete at the highest level on clay.
Andreeva’s aggressive style and fearless attitude make her a dangerous opponent. She has already won two 1000-point tournaments in 2025, showcasing her potential to win a major title.
The French Open’s Wide-Open Field
This year’s French Open women’s singles draw is particularly open, with several players having a realistic chance of winning the title. The absence of a clear favorite and the emergence of new contenders make for an exciting and unpredictable tournament.
As the tournament progresses, fans can expect thrilling matches, unexpected upsets, and a fierce battle for the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. The predictions of Alcaraz, Sinner, and other experts add an extra layer of intrigue to the event, as the world watches to see who will emerge victorious on the red clay of Roland Garros.
Day 1 Highlights
The 2025 French Open main draw kicked off on Sunday, May 25. Aryna Sabalenka started her campaign strong with a dominant win over Kamilla Rakhimova, setting up a second-round clash against Jil Teichmann. Defending champion Iga Swiatek launched her quest for a record fourth straight title with a win over Rebecca Sramkova. She will next face Britain’s Emma Raducanu, who also made a winning return to Roland Garros.
Conclusion
The 2025 French Open women’s singles promises to be a thrilling event, with a wide-open field and several players capable of winning the title. Whether it’s Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff, Andreeva, or another contender, the competition will be fierce, and the outcome is far from certain. Tennis fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the drama and excitement that will unfold on the clay courts of Roland Garros.
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