Roland Garros 2025 Predictions

Predictions

Roland Garros 2025

The only prediction that I’m 100% certain about is that Rafael Nadal won’t win the tournament. Because for the first time since 2005, he’s not in the draw—a huge sigh of relief for literally everyone else. Now let’s lower the certainty level with some actual predictions for this year’s terra cotta slam:

Men’s

Winner: Carlos Alcaraz

Nadal’s right-handed son is the best player on earth right now on the dirt. He won two of the four lead-up tournaments, finaled the third, and last I heard—has even gorilla-glued on his nasal strip for optimal oxygen consumption. Tsitsipas, Tommy Paul, Ruud, and Musetti are all in his half of the draw—but I don’t see any of them taking down the in-form Spaniard this time around.

Final answer: Carlos defends his title and snags his fifth major.

Dark Horse: Jack Draper

The young Brit followed up a fantastic hard court season with a surprisingly strong clay swing—finaling in Madrid, and losing a close one to Alcaraz in Rome. He’s figured out his game on this surface: ripping forehands up and away from opponents, taking his backhand early, and using the drop shot effectively.

To me, he’s the only guy that could beat both Sinner and Alcaraz. That said, in the best of 5 format, I worry about his fitness. The guy sweats more than someone doing a job interview in a sauna.

Women’s

Winner: Coco Gauff

Clay might actually be Coco’s best surface. It gives her time to set up for her forehand, helps her forehand jump above her opponent’s strike zones, and rewards her quickness.

She’s been knocking on the door this season on the dirt—finalling in both Madrid and Rome—and heads into Paris riding real momentum.

And here’s the real kicker: Iga’s in a slump, so I think Coco’s got a real shot. While the Pole has won four out of the last five French Opens, she he hasn’t won a tournament since last year’s French, has taken some bad losses of late, and has dropped from No. 1 to No. 5 in the world.

Coco (I’m speaking directly to you now), Iga has dropped her crown. This is your time to pick it up, smash it into pieces, and get your own.

Dark Horse: Jasmine Paolini

“Dark horse” isn’t really the right term for a 4 seed, but I don’t think enough people think Paolini a serious title contender. Mistake (dare I say, an unforced error?)

She’s rock-solid off of both wings, just won singles and doubles in Rome, and makes every rally feel like someone punched you in the lungs. She’s also not going to hand you anything, and can go all day.

Don’t count her out.

Trivia

One player below holds the record for fewest number of unforced errors made in a Grand Slam final. Who was it?

A. Novak Djokovic

B. Simona Halep

C. Andre Agassi

D. Maria Sharapova

Find out at the bottom!

Meet the Player

Hubert Hurkacz

From: Poland 🇵🇱 

Career High Ranking: 6

Fun Fact: Has a partnership with McLaren, so he gets to drive McLaren cars while at tournaments

Game Analysis: You smell that? That’s burnt fuzz from the three aces Hubi just smoked past you. At 6’5”, Hurkacz brings the heat on serve—but what sets him apart from most serve-bots is his movement. Hubi is insanely mobile for a big man. That said, the forehand holds him back. It’s unreliable against heavy hitters and tends to break down in tight moments, especially against top-tier opponents.

Career Prediction: We need to give Hubi his flowers—he’s been in the Top 50 since 2019, made a Wimbledon semi, and is the highest ranked ATP singles player from Poland. At 28, he’ll continue to win 250s and the occasional 500 for the next few years, then retire in Monaco and root for the McLaren F1 team. Sounds pretty nice.

Photo

Doesn’t this photo just make you so happy inside?

Around the Net

Some of my favorite tennis content I found on the internet this week…

😭 You’ll fill a kiddie pool of tears after watching this beautiful tribute to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. Full tribute ceremony here.

🍝 If you need to carbo load before a match, might I suggest some Tennis Ballognese?

📖 The origin story of clay court tennis

Answer

B. Simona Halep

Incredibly, Halep only made 3 unforced errors in the 2019 Wimbledon final against Serena Williams. The Romanian took the match 6-2, 6-2.