French Open 2025: Alcaraz and Sinner lead seeds, Swiatek draws potential Raducanu clash early

The stage is set for the 2025 French Open, and all eyes are on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who headline the men’s draw as the top two seeds. With a red-hot clay season behind him, Alcaraz begins his Roland-Garros title defense against former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori, while Sinner returns from a doping ban to face France’s Arthur Rinderknech in round one.

The two stars are on opposite sides of the draw, meaning a rematch of last year’s epic semifinal — which Alcaraz won — can only happen in the final. Alcaraz, currently ranked No. 2, carries a remarkable 15-1 record on clay this season, having lifted titles in Barcelona and Rome.

“The confidence is really high right now,” said Alcaraz. “I’m excited to be back in Paris.”

Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion and winner of five of the last six Grand Slams alongside Alcaraz, has only one clay title to his name but remains a major threat.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, who recently snapped a winless clay streak in Geneva, will begin his campaign against American Mackenzie McDonald. Djokovic could face No. 3 Alexander Zverev in a possible quarterfinal.

Other key men’s matchups:

• Jack Draper (5) vs. Sinner (potential QF)
• Taylor Fritz (4) vs. Lorenzo Musetti (8)
• Carlos Alcaraz vs. Casper Ruud (7) (projected QF)

Women’s Draw: Swiatek eyes return to form, faces early test

Iga Swiatek, the four-time French Open winner, opens her campaign against Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova, but a blockbuster second-round clash with Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, could be looming.

Though Swiatek has yet to find top form this season, she remains confident.

“This season had more ups and downs than before,” Swiatek admitted. “But I know my game is here.”

Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed, draws Kamilla Rakhimova in the first round, while Coco Gauff, seeded No. 2, opens against Olivia Gadecki. A compelling first-round showdown features Paula Badosa against Naomi Osaka.

Projected Women’s Quarterfinals:

• Sabalenka (1) vs. Qinwen Zheng (8)
• Swiatek (5) vs. Jasmine Paolini (4)
• Jessica Pegula (3) vs. Mirra Andreeva (6)
• Gauff (2) vs. Madison Keys (7)

The 2025 French Open runs from May 26 to June 8 at Roland-Garros, promising two weeks of high-stakes clay-court drama.

SportsLigue