Alious
The countdown is nearly over as the tennis world shifts its focus to Paris for the 2025 French Open—Roland Garros, the sport’s iconic clay-court battleground and second Grand Slam of the season. Leading the charge is 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, who enters the tournament not just as the reigning champion, but as the overwhelming favorite to defend his title and further solidify his clay court legacy.
Alcaraz’s dominance this spring has been remarkable. Most recently, he dismantled local favorite Jannik Sinner in the ATP Rome final, earning a straight-sets victory and securing his place among the few men in the Open Era to win every top-tier clay Masters title in addition to Roland Garros. This rare achievement puts him in the elite company of legends like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Gustavo Kuerten, and Marcelo Ríos—all past kings of clay.
While Sinner was returning from a brief absence due to a now-closed doping investigation, Alcaraz has been unrelenting, racking up a 30–5 match record this season. His title hauls include victories in Monte Carlo and Rome and a runner-up finish in Barcelona, reinforcing his 21–4 career mark at the French Open and an intimidating 84% win rate on clay.
This clay court campaign, Alcaraz hasn’t just crushed lower-ranked players; he’s excelled against quality opposition. He’s earned significant victories over top talents such as Alex de Minaur, Arthur Fils, Jack Draper, and twice against Lorenzo Musetti. His ability to elevate his game in pressure matches sets him apart at a time when traditional title threats are faltering. Novak Djokovic is wrestling with inconsistency, recently splitting from coach Andy Murray and entering Geneva’s ATP 250 in a desperate search for form. Meanwhile, Sinner’s return raises questions about his match fitness, and Holger Rune—the only player to defeat Alcaraz on clay this season—remains untested in late Grand Slam rounds.
With only Djokovic, Sinner, and Alexander Zverev being given more than a slim outside shot at the title (above 10% odds), bookmakers are placing Alcaraz near the 50% mark to lift the trophy. Considering his current form and momentum, that figure may even underestimate his chances. Djokovic does hold a slight career edge over Alcaraz, but at 37, his ability to endure best-of-five contests on red clay remains uncertain.
Alcaraz, seeded second and ranked world No. 2, enters Roland Garros favored in every possible matchup. The young Spaniard has already written one chapter of history by capturing the crown last year. Now, he has the chance to add another by becoming just the fourth player in the modern era to win multiple French Open titles—joining the exclusive ranks of Djokovic, Kuerten, and the incomparable Nadal.
In a field full of questions and fading giants, Carlos Alcaraz stands alone as the answer. The 2025 French Open may well be his coronation as the sport’s next true clay-court monarch.
Alious
