Experts weigh in: How will Djokovic and Swiatek fare? Can Alcaraz shield?

With momentum on his aspect, can Carlos Alcaraz shield his French Open crown — or will Jannik Sinner win the name as he returns from a doping ban? Could Novak Djokovic put in combination a miracle match to win a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam name?

Last yr’s ladies’s champion, Iga Swiatek, has had a nightmare of a season. Will Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff dissatisfied her in Paris to take their first Roland Garros name?

Our professionals weigh in because the French Open starts Sunday.

How do you assume Djokovic will fare right here?

Bill Connelly: If you consider that rhythm issues at all, it is tough to be constructive. Since he were given harm on the Australian Open, he is 7-5 total, and 5 of the ones wins got here in a single match (Miami). He was once 0-2 on clay, with 0 units gained, earlier than heading to Geneva this week, and the truth that he is enjoying every other match the week earlier than a Slam in any respect tells you ways determined he was once to seek out some rhythm and self belief.

That mentioned, his draw is beautiful, and, smartly, he did nonetheless make the Australian Open semifinals and win all 10 suits he was once in reality in a position to play at Roland Garros closing yr (minus his withdrawal in opposition to Casper Ruud within the French Open quarterfinals). If he is in a position to strengthen his kind in each Geneva and the early rounds at Roland Garros, then it isn’t tough to look him a minimum of attaining the quarterfinals. And if possible quarterfinal opponent Alexander Zverev‘s personal kind does not strengthen, in all probability Djokovic may cross even additional than that, although a semifinal in opposition to Sinner very a lot seems like a bridge too a long way.

D’Arcy Maine: The $2.87 million query! It’s extremely difficult — in all probability unattainable — to grasp what to anticipate from Djokovic at this level. When at his easiest, he is nonetheless a dominant drive, however that point appears to be more and more uncommon and the possibility of him with the ability to constantly play at a prime kind for more than one suits in a row in opposition to peak warring parties is slender. He has struggled on clay this season and hadn’t gained consecutive suits till 250-level Geneva this week. That’s no longer precisely the momentum one desires to reach to Paris with.

However, as Bill discussed, Djokovic’s draw, or a minimum of the primary a number of suits, are favorable. And if somebody can play themselves into competition and kind at a Slam, it needs to be Djokovic. While I surely do not rely him a number of the top-tier favorites — that may be reserved solely for Alcaraz and Sinner nowadays — I will’t precisely rely him out of competition both. At this level, I’m no longer positive any consequence — from an early go out to profitable all of it — would utterly marvel me, however I feel the quarterfinals seems like a secure resolution.

Tom Hamilton: This is all about momentum, and the draw has opened issues up splendidly for him. He’s in all probability the most productive within the game for clicking into his profitable mindset and given his contemporary kind — particularly on clay — he’s going to wish to in finding that inside resolution once more which has led him to such fantastic feats within the game. If he performs his means in, then he’s going to get extra unhealthy because the suits construct. If the draw is going as anticipated, then he will have to beat Zverev within the quarterfinals after which it is down as to whether he can in finding the Djokovic of previous for a possible semifinal in opposition to Sinner. I feel he’s going to get to the overall 4.

Simon Cambers: Based on his kind this yr, it’s virtually unattainable to grasp. He was once excellent in Australia earlier than he were given injured, and performed smartly in Miami, however another way has struggled badly. It was once attention-grabbing chatting with him in Monte Carlo — he made no secret that it is turning into increasingly tough to get motivated. However, it is a Grand Slam, and that implies he shouldn’t have any motivational problems. He additionally has a very good early draw that are meant to permit him to paintings his means into the match.

I do not see him profitable this — it needs to be remembered that as nice as he’s, he’s now 38 and it simply does not get any more uncomplicated. There are too many different avid gamers who can hassle him, and he would possibly simply grow to be too fatigued by the point he will get to the quarters. But if he does make it via Week 1 with out an excessive amount of effort, then he’ll be vastly unhealthy, as he desires that 25th slam name.

With Swiatek’s contemporary struggles, what can she do to win a fourth directly name?

Connelly: She completely can. Even in this type of irritating yr, she’s nonetheless 27-9 in 2025, and she or he’s 27-3 in opposition to avid gamers no longer named Gauff, Mirra Andreeva or, hilariously, Jelena Ostapenko. The incontrovertible fact that she was once crushed so totally in her previous two clay-court tournaments — 6-1, 6-1 to Gauff in Madrid; 6-1, 7-5 to Danielle Collins in Rome — surely does not lend self belief, and her draw is basically brutal.

Swiatek would possibly have to stand Marta Kostyuk (6-2 on clay this yr, with each losses to Sabalenka) within the 1/3 around and probably both Elena Rybakina (in opposition to whom she’s 4-4 all time, 0-2 on clay) or her forever-foil, Ostapenko (in opposition to whom she’s 0-6) within the fourth. If she will get previous that, she will have to face closing yr’s runner-up, Jasmine Paolini, within the quarterfinals simply to succeed in No. 1 seed Sabalenka within the semis. And if she will get previous that, both Andreeva or Gauff may watch for within the finals. If she wins her 5th French Open (and assists in keeping tempo with Rafael Nadal in that regard), she’ll maximum surely have earned it.

Maine: Swiatek surely can win once more, however she has proven simply how inclined and beatable she is all through the lead-in occasions. Obviously her talents and clay acumen have not disappeared, however she will wish to rediscover her self belief — and speedy — and no longer let the power of her earlier triumphs on the match crush her.

Her draw is amazingly difficult, however her opening two rounds (in opposition to Rebecca Sramkova after which probably Emma Raducanu, whom she routed 6-1, 6-0 of their closing assembly on the Australian Open) may lend a hand together with her self-belief and bolster her in opposition to some most likely very tricky warring parties. It’s tough to look Swiatek in any case getting her first-ever defeat over Ostapenko within the fourth around at this level in the event that they had been to satisfy, but when she had been to try this, and end up to herself she will do it and remind herself of what she’s succesful, that might flip the whole thing round.

Hamilton: It’s a tough draw for Swiatek and her kind does not provide you with many causes for optimism. But Roland Garros is her 2d house and she or he reveals a method to lock herself into this zone the place she is totally unplayable. Remember closing yr when she was once so almost knocked out in opposition to Naomi Osaka? Well she discovered a method to get herself again into that contest and every week or so later, she was once lifting the trophy for the fourth time.

This is ready ignoring noise and power and specializing in what makes her unbeatable on clay (and discovering a method to defeat Ostapenko). If somebody can string in combination a fortnight’s value of performances, then it is her.

Cambers: The very first thing Swiatek must do is take a breath and remind herself that she has gained the French Open 4 occasions. It has been tough to observe her the previous few months, taking a look so stressed out on court docket. Some of that may well be hangover from her one-month suspension. Her air of mystery has without a doubt disappeared, for now. When she is examined, it is virtually a case of simply looking forward to her to resolve.

It may not lend a hand her mindset to look her arch nemesis, Ostapenko, in her phase of the draw, although. Ostapenko has crushed her six occasions out of six, and in the event that they meet in Round 4, it’s going to be a large check of Swiatek’s psychological power. It will not be simple to get that a long way, both, with Raducanu and Kostyuk in her phase. Swiatek wishes a few excellent wins to settle, and if she does, then her self belief will develop. On kind, it is asking so much for her to win the name for a 5th time, however it could take only one excellent tournament, and even one thing in a person tournament, for her to turn the transfer.

Which American will advance the furthest in Paris?

Connelly: You have to begin with Gauff. She’s 19-4 in her previous 4 French Opens, and she or he reached the semis closing yr and the finals in 2022. Andreeva does lurk on her aspect of the draw, however Sabalenka, Swiatek and Paolini are all at the different aspect. She’s the No. 3 having a bet favourite, in step with ESPN BET, and with Sabalenka and Swiatek assembly in a hypothetical semifinal, you must say she has a case to be No. 2.

On the lads’s aspect, give me Tommy Paul. His draw isn’t extremely conducive to a run — he would possibly face two-time runner-up Ruud within the fourth around and Alcaraz within the quarters — however I feel he is the most productive American clay-courter a number of the males nowadays, and Taylor Fritz‘s draw is not much better. Sebastian Korda did succeed in the fourth around in Paris at age 20 in 2020, however he is simply 5-4 at Roland Garros since, and he is a sexy dismal 3-4 on clay this yr. So I’ll say Paul.

Maine: It surely turns out like Gauff is the transparent resolution. In addition to her previous good fortune on the match, she has been enjoying arguably the most productive clay tennis of her profession this season. She reached the overall in Madrid, recording a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win over Swiatek within the semis and a straight-sets victory over Andreeva within the quarters, after which reached the overall in Rome. While she did not get the trophy there both, she made a commentary with a gutsy, marathon victory over Zheng Qinwen in a semifinal conflict that lasted over three-and-a-half hours.

Now ranked No. 2, Gauff brings momentum and self belief — and a starvation for extra — to Paris. Reigning Australian Open champion (and fellow American) Madison Keys is usually a possible quarterfinal opponent, and Gauff may face Andreeva or countrywoman Jessica Pegula within the semis, however a last look turns out smartly inside of succeed in given how smartly she has been enjoying today.

On the lads’s aspect, Paul surely had an excellent run in Rome, and does have a repossessed truck to combat for in any case, however it is tough to look him getting previous the warring parties Bill discussed. Still, I’m no longer positive every other American gets additional than him. Although you by no means know, in all probability we would possibly get extra Cinderella runs like we noticed in Melbourne from Learner Tien (who faces Zverev within the first around) and Alex Michelsen (who will play a qualifier).

Hamilton: Well everybody’s going for Gauff, so I’ll have to mention … the similar. I’ve her all the way down to make a deep run and she or he may smartly grow to be the primary American girl to win the contest since Serena Williams in 2015. Gauff’s come so shut prior to now, and has advanced an all-court recreation. She has the ones two finals to her title on clay this yr and although she fell to Sabalenka in Madrid and Paolini in Rome, she’s development kind effectively forward of Roland Garros.

On the lads’s aspect, Paul has that unlucky draw the place he’s going to most likely run into Ruud and Alcaraz. Ruud will most likely get previous him there. Elsewhere, Korda’s suffering for kind on clay, Tiafoe’s by no means were given previous the 1/3 around, and Fritz’s easiest end is the fourth around, so it is tough to look somebody finishing the 26-year watch for an American champion at the males’s aspect at Roland Garros.

Cambers: Gauff is the most obvious select at the ladies’s aspect, and she or he seems to be to have an easy trail to the quarterfinals. Gauff has performed excellent, constant tennis this clay-court season and has proven exceptional resistance, for the reason that her serve and forehand stay technically inclined when her self belief isn’t there. Peyton Stearns was once very good in Rome, and if she will get going, she might be truly tough to prevent. She does have Zheng as a imaginable third-round opponent, although, which might prevent her in her tracks. Gauff is in all probability.

On the lads’s aspect, the Americans have a tricky draw all around, with maximum of them in sections with some large names. Paul will have to make the closing 16, however Ruud might be looking forward to him there; Ben Shelton has a recreation which may be excellent on clay however has Alcaraz in the way in which. Fritz has a tricky first-rounder, but when he will get previous Daniel Altmaier, he might be the only. Korda and Frances Tiafoe are in the similar quarter. Even if clay isn’t his easiest floor, Fritz may emerge as the most productive likelihood.

Is this essentially the most wide-open French Open in contemporary historical past? Which participant may marvel within the subsequent two weeks?

Connelly: With Swiatek and Djokovic each suffering with self belief and kind, you’ll surely make the case for one thing vast open. But when you squint excellent, it positive turns out like we might be cruising to a couple of 1-versus-2 finals (Sinner vs. Alcaraz, Sabalenka vs. Gauff). The incontrovertible fact that nobody may make the most of Sinner’s monthslong absence to make a reputation for themselves (and even take his No. 1 score) was once, to me, a fairly large indictment of the intensity at the males’s aspect, and it will take a fairly large dissatisfied to stay us from Sinner-Alcaraz. (Not that I’d whinge about in any case getting a Sinner-Alcaraz Slam ultimate.)

The ladies’s aspect would not want many upsets to bust vast open, on the other hand. Depth is immense at the moment, and past Sabalenka, Gauff and Swiatek, you’ll make a sexy credible case for Andreeva, Paolini, 2024 Olympic gold medalist Zheng, 2023 French Open finalist Karolina Muchova, an in-form veteran akin to Elina Svitolina or, dare I dream, Naomi Osaka. Sabalenka would possibly need to get previous Collins, Amanda Anisimova (who beat her in Toronto closing yr) and Zheng (who simply beat her in Rome) to get to Paolini or Swiatek within the semis! There are hindrances in every single place you glance within the ladies’s draw.

Maine: On the ladies’s aspect, I feel it sort of feels extra vast open than it has since Swiatek has emerged as the dominant drive at the floor. But with that mentioned, I would not be shocked by way of deep runs, or perhaps a name, from quite a lot of avid gamers. I feel Keys served as a reminder to many who they, too, had been in a position to profitable Slams, and it’s going to be attention-grabbing to look the residual have an effect on of that during Paris. Paolini reached the overall closing yr and is coming off a fantastic run in Rome, profitable each the singles and doubles titles. Why no longer her, and why no longer now?

As for the lads, I’m with Bill. This is a two-way fight between Sinner and Alcaraz. Combined, they have got gained the previous 5 primary titles, and I do not see that pattern preventing now. Because you requested so effectively, I’ll say No. 14 seed Arthur Fils has the (ever-so-slight) likelihood to drag off a marvel dissatisfied within the fourth around in opposition to Sinner. With the house crowd in the back of him, and a few stable clay effects this season (together with a semifinal look in Barcelona and the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo), he may in finding some magic and thrill the French crowd. And then issues would in point of fact get attention-grabbing.

Hamilton: So it is beautiful open, however no longer essentially the most open in historical past. On the ladies’s aspect, Swiatek’s kind is shaky, however she’s nonetheless almost definitely favourite. But if she does not win, then I feel Paolini may finally end up lifting her first Grand Slam name, contemporary from her triumph in Rome. Then you could have the rising drive of Andreeva, the brilliance of Gauff and the others who understand how to win large suits on clay like Sabalenka and Zheng. But I nonetheless assume it is going to finally end up being a Swiatek-dominated match.

On the lads’s aspect, it would be nice to look an Alcaraz-Sinner ultimate, however I’m tipping — and feature performed for an extended whilst — Draper to do one thing particular at Roland Garros. The Brit is in sensible kind and has controlled to be able to make himself tougher. If it comes in combination for him, he can win the entire thing.

But it sort of feels predestined for a match-up between Alcaraz and Sinner, with Alcaraz profitable. Though, dare we dream, at some point, it would be nice to look a French participant win a name once more there.

Cambers: I don’t believe it is the maximum open in historical past. I’ve an extended reminiscence, and B.R. (Before Rafa) not anything was once assured at the males’s aspect, as Gaston Gaudio would possibly remind us. Alcaraz has the most productive kind and is the protecting champion, so he merits to be favourite, particularly after beating the returning Sinner within the Rome ultimate. Sinner additionally appeared excellent in Rome, and if he reveals the rest like the shape he did in opposition to Ruud there, then he’ll be very tough to prevent. Behind them, Ruud, Zverev and Djokovic may have a possibility, whilst Jack Draper is now a real name risk on each floor. It could be a marvel will have to certainly one of Alcaraz or Sinner no longer win the name.

The ladies’s name, although, may be very open, no longer least as a result of Sabalenka has no longer fairly matched her hard-court kind on clay this spring. With Swiatek drastically inclined — on contemporary kind — the door is open for anyone unheralded to return via, and it will be no marvel will have to anyone from out of doors the highest 10 succeed in the semis and perhaps additional. Gauff can be there or thereabouts, however Paolini might be the only, using prime on self belief after her sensible Rome.

Who is the in all probability participant to win their first Grand Slam name at this yr’s French Open?

Connelly: Andreeva. Her profession has already been a sequence of fantastic breakthroughs, no longer least of which was once frightening Sabalenka to succeed in closing yr’s French Open semis. She has already gained a couple of 1000-level occasions in 2025, and in opposition to avid gamers no longer named Gauff or Sabalenka she’s 26-3 this yr. (And she has crushed Sabalenka two times prior to now yr!) She’s in a position for every other step forward … if she will ultimately determine how to overcome Gauff, anyway.

On the lads’s aspect, give me Lorenzo Musetti. His draw is not terrible — his hardest opponent earlier than the semis may well be Holger Rune — and he went 7-2 at Roland Garros closing yr, with each losses coming to Djokovic. He’s 14-3 on clay this yr, too. It’s nonetheless tough to look previous Sinner and Alcaraz within the males’s draw, however Musetti would not want too many breaks to seek out himself within the finals.

Maine: I’ll persist with Paolini right here. She has come shut earlier than and is enjoying some impressed tennis. Her 6-4, 6-2 victory over Gauff within the Italian Open ultimate was once spectacular. She is in the similar quarter as Swiatek and hasn’t ever crushed the reigning champion earlier than — together with dropping to her within the ultimate closing yr — nevertheless it surely turns out as though their momentum has shifted in contemporary months.

A primary-time males’s primary champion turns out not going, however Ruud is a two-time French Open finalist and gained the name in Madrid previous this month. It could be a problem to defeat Alcaraz within the quarters however on no account unattainable. Ruud had a demoralizing 6-0, 6-1 loss to Sinner within the Rome quarterfinals, however in all probability that may give him further motivation in the event that they had been to satisfy within the ultimate? I may well be attaining right here.

Hamilton: I’m going with Paolini and Draper or Ruud. Paolini has that fantastic run in Rome in the back of her, whilst Draper is oh-so-nearly there to profitable a significant match on clay. Ruud is a two-time finalist and can ultimately recover from the road. But out of the above — with an honorable nod to Andreeva — it is Paolini.

Cambers: Paolini will cross one higher than closing yr. A metamorphosis of trainer turns out to have performed the trick and with each week, her self belief is emerging. She covers the court docket so smartly and has extra energy than her dimension would counsel. The revel in of attaining the overall at Roland Garros and Wimbledon can be vastly vital, and she or he has the sport to do it. Andreeva will be the different selection. She turns out to strengthen each week; her serve is hugely progressed, and she or he loves enjoying in Paris, having made her first slam semifinal closing yr.

On the lads’s aspect, it is a tricky one. Alcaraz and Sinner are so sturdy that obtaining previous one or each can be extremely tough. But Ruud is the select. Twice the runner-up in Paris and as soon as at the United States Open, Ruud gave the impression of he would possibly cross all of the means closing yr earlier than he were given unfortunate with sickness in his semifinal in opposition to Zverev. His first Masters 1000 name on clay in Madrid may have been a significant spice up, and he has the power to do the similar at Roland Garros.