News India Live, Digital Desk: French Open 2025: Legendary Rafael Nadal was really like a magic while playing on the Clay Court of Loland Garos. It seemed that red clay and Nadal were complementary to each other, as they truly became the “King of Clay”, he achieved a record 14 male singles titles in the prestigious tournament. But on Sunday, May 25, the 124th version of the Holland Garos will look a bit strange.
Yes… Nadal’s era has started in the French Open, as this great tennis player said goodbye to his international career in November last year, as well as a very favorite Grand Slam. The 2025 French Open will be the first without Nadal, and their sacrifice means that someone has a chance to try to become the next king.
Alkaraj, Sinner possibilities?
It is understood that Karlos Alkaraz, the compatriot of Nadal, has been considered a long successor, who won the tournament last year, and will land as a little more preferred player than everyone in this year’s event. The 22-year-old Spaniad wants to follow the great footsteps of Nadal as his skill makes him a natural clay-court player and currently holds a record of win-loss of 15–1 on the surface this year. This means that he practices more matches than rival jannic synergies.
The Sinner from Italy is also another candidate in this scenario. Currently the world’s number 1 player Sinner has maintained his dominance on the court in the last 18 months, but has recently returned from the three -month doping ban. While reaching the final of the Italian Open, he lost only one set and defeated two -time French Open runner -up Casper Rood in a ruthless quarter -finals.
He faced Alkaraz in the final and eventually lost to the world number two in straight sets. With the conclusion of the French Open on 8 June, many people are expecting a similar victory in this Shopis in Paris. In the current scenario, both these are the players who can be considered the successor of Nadal, and only time will tell how close they reach the veteran’s French open record.
Other contenders
However, it is absolutely clear that the path of Taj will not be easy for both Sinner and Alkaraz, as many classic players will stand in their way. Novak Djokovic is again in the claim, this time for the standalone record 25th Grand Slam singles title, but Serbian veterans, who are 38 years old only three days ago, are struggling with lack of inspiration. However, a welcome run in the Geneva finals can serve as a promotion for a three -time French Open Champion.
Great Britain’s No. 1 Jack Draper recently demonstrated his Clay-court qualification by reaching the Madrid Final and Rome Quarter Finals, showing that he could make it to the fourth round for at least the third consecutive Major. Meanwhile, Norway’s seventh seeded Rood, who lost the title to Nadal and Djokovic in the finals of 2022 and 2023 respectively, reiterated his Clay-court skills by defeating Draper in the Madrid final.
Certainly, Germany’s third seed and previous year runner -up Alexander Zverev should not forget, who have reached the least semi -finals in the last four versions of Roland Garos and are currently reinforcing their confidence after missing winning their first Grand Slam title earlier this year.
Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti will also join the race – a brilliant player who can play backhand with one hand and has the ability to challenge others on Clay Court. Even Nick Kyrgyos of Australia had planned to attend the Grand Slam event for the first time in eight years, but the men were eliminated from the competition on Saturday.
Luck can shine overnight.
