Overview

• The 2025 French Open kicks off today, marking a new era without Rafael Nadal, who will be honored with a farewell ceremony on Court Philippe Chatrier after the day's matches.
• Iga Swiatek, the three-time defending women's champion, enters the tournament ranked No. 5 after a difficult season and a one-month doping ban last year.
• Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka are seen as leading contenders for the women's title, with both showing strong form in recent tournaments.
• Carlos Alcaraz, the defending men's champion, is a favorite to retain his title following a strong clay-court season, including a victory at the Italian Open.
• Off-court issues, including doping bans for top players and a lawsuit led by Novak Djokovic's Professional Tennis Players' Association, add complexity to the tournament landscape.