
French Open – Roland Garros

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What is the French Open – Roland-Garros?
The French Open, officially known as Roland-Garros, is one of tennis’s four prestigious Grand Slam tournaments and the only one that’s played on clay courts. Hosted annually in Paris at Stade Roland Garros, competitors looking to win will require high levels of stamina and technical excellence. Clay surfaces slow the ball down, resulting in longer rallies that require greater endurance from players.
Dating back to 1891, the tournament has a long and storied history. In modern times, it’s best known for its grueling matches and for producing legendary moments from clay-court greats like Rafael Nadal, who has dominated in Paris with a record 14 men’s singles titles.
Also, when it comes to the women’s game, stars like Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, and Iga Świątek have all left their mark on the iconic red courts. Whether you’re attending in person or tuning in from home, Roland-Garros offers two weeks of world-class tennis in one of the sport’s most picturesque and challenging settings.
Where and When Will the French Open Be Held?
The 2025 French Open will take place from May 25 to June 7 at the iconic Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. Set in the city’s leafy 16th arrondissement, this world-class tennis venue offers visiting fans a front-row seat to high-stakes clay court drama.
Matches are played out across a number of different courts, including Philippe-Chatrier, the main stadium now equipped with a retractable roof and upgraded lighting for evening play, and Suzanne-Lenglen, which offers an incredible atmosphere and close-up action. There’s also the Simonne-Mathieu Court, which is surrounded by botanical glasshouses.
Other Key venue highlights include:
- Dedicated night sessions on select courts, creating a unique and thrilling ‘under-the-lights’ atmosphere
- Intimate court designs that bring fans closer to the action
- Interactive fan areas featuring tournament history exhibits and digital displays
- Weatherproofed main court that ensures play continues rain or shine
Whether you’re watching courtside or tuning in from home, Roland-Garros promises a tournament atmosphere that’s both intensely competitive and unmistakably French.
Prize Pool Breakdown
The 2024 French Open featured a total prize pool of €53.5 million, marking a 7.8% increase from the previous year. Both men’s and women’s singles champions received €2.4 million each, with prize money distributed across various rounds and events. For 2025, an approximation of the expected prize pool breakdown is shown below.
Men’s & Women’s Championship
• Winner — €2,400,000
• Runner-up — €1,200,000
• Semifinalist — €650,000
• Quarter Finalist — €415,000
• Round of 16 — €250,000
• Round of 32 — €158,000
• Round of 64 — €110,000
• Round of 128 — €73,000
Men’s & Women’s Doubles Championship (per team)
• Winner — €590,000
• Runners-up — €295,000
• Semifinalist — €148,000
• Quarterfinalist — €80,000
• Round of 16 — €43,500
• Round of 32 — €27,500
• Round of 64 — €17,500
Mixed Doubles Championship (per team)
• Winner — €122,000
• Runners-up — €61,000
• Semifinalist — €31,000
• Quarterfinalists — €17,500
• Round of 16 — €10,000
• Round of 32 — €5,000
Which Players Will Take Part in the French Open 2025?
As one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, the French Open attracts the top-ranked players from around the world. The 2025 edition will again feature a 128-player singles draw for both men and women, including automatic qualifiers based on ATP and WTA rankings, wildcards, and those who battle through the qualifying rounds in the weeks leading up to the event.
While the official entry lists haven’t yet been confirmed, the following players are all expected to feature prominently based on current form and past success on clay:
Men’s Singles Contenders
Novak Djokovic – The defending champion and a multiple-time winner at Roland-Garros, known for his mental toughness and adaptability.
Carlos Alcaraz – This Spaniard is a real rising star with an aggressive baseline game and impressive movement on clay.
Jannik Sinner – Consistently climbing the ranks, the Italian has a strong all-court game that’s even more effective on slower surfaces.
Casper Ruud – A two-time finalist at Roland-Garros, Casper is someone who thrives on clay, thanks to his topspin-heavy style.
Stefanos Tsitsipas – A former finalist who has regularly performed well in Paris and has the stamina to outlast opponents in long matches.
Women’s Singles Contenders
Iga Świątek – The reigning champion and a dominant force on clay, known for her footwork, angles, and powerful groundstrokes.
Aryna Sabalenka – An aggressive baseliner who has steadily improved her clay game and poses a threat in any draw.
Elena Rybakina – Powerful and composed under pressure, Elena has a solid track record in Grand Slam tournaments.
Coco Gauff – An exciting young American with a gritty style of play and a previous Roland-Garros final appearance.
Ons Jabeur – Creative and unpredictable, Jabeur’s shot variety makes her a fan favourite and a tough opponent on clay.
With the tournament still weeks away, there’s room for last-minute changes and surprise entries — but the 2025 field is already shaping up to deliver must-watch matches across the board.
Tournament Format & Structure
The French Open follows a traditional knockout format, with players eliminated after losing just once. Both the men’s and women’s singles draws start with 128 players, meaning seven wins are needed to lift the title. Early-round matchups often feature a mix of seasoned pros and rising qualifiers, with seeding based on world rankings to help avoid top players clashing too soon.
In the men’s singles, all matches are played as best-of-five sets, demanding huge amounts of stamina and mental toughness, as there are often hours of baseline rallies. For the women’s singles, matches are best-of-three sets, which can lead to lightning-fast momentum swings and upsets. Doubles and mixed doubles follow the best-of-three format as well, typically using no-ad scoring and a match tiebreak in deciding sets.
Play is spread across multiple show courts and outer courts, with marquee matches typically scheduled on Philippe-Chatrier, Suzanne-Lenglen, or under the lights during special evening sessions. In the event of weather disruptions, the roof over Philippe-Chatrier allows the biggest matches to proceed without delay.
Roland-Garros also features a qualifying tournament the week before the main draw, giving lower-ranked players a shot at reaching the biggest stage. Wildcards are granted by the FFT, often to rising French players or past champions returning from injury.
Who Will Win the French Open 2025?
With the tournament drawing near, the clay courts of Roland-Garros are set to host some of the most formidable talents in tennis. Here’s a breakdown of the key contenders and their prospects:
Men’s Singles Contenders
Player | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | Novak Djokovic | Alexander Zverev |
Why They Might Win |
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Why They Might Not |
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Women’s Singles Contenders
Player | Iga Świątek | Coco Gauff | Aryna Sabalenka | Mirra Andreeva |
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Why They Might Not |
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