French Open 2025: Who Will Take Over at Roland Garros After Nadal?

French Open 2025: Who Will Take Over at Roland Garros After Nadal?

The sun may have set on Rafael Nadal’s reign at Roland Garros, but the conversation around who can dominate the clay in his absence is only beginning.

Last year, Nadal stepped onto Court Philippe Chatrier with an air of uncertainty. He had been vague about his future, making it clear that he would only compete if his body allowed. What followed was a cruel twist of fate. Rather than a smooth path through the early rounds, the 14-time champion was handed a nightmare opening against Alexander Zverev, a player he had clashed with in a brutal 2022 semi-final.

That rematch proved to be Nadal’s final act in Paris. Though he fought valiantly, the Spaniard was unable to hold off the German’s challenge and suffered his first ever first-round defeat at the French Open. It was only his fourth loss on these courts and a somber end to one of the most remarkable stories in tennis history.

Now that Nadal has stepped away from the tour, the focus shifts to the next wave of contenders.

Alcaraz, Sinner and Djokovic Set the Standard

Carlos Alcaraz has positioned himself as the man to beat. Still only 22, the Spaniard is attempting to defend his French Open crown and has shown exceptional form in the clay season. He captured titles in Monte Carlo and Rome and reached the final in Barcelona. In Rome, he claimed another win over Jannik Sinner, extending his winning streak against the Italian to four matches.

Sinner, the current world number one, arrives in Paris after a strong showing on home soil in Rome. He defeated Casper Ruud with ease on his way to the final but once again fell short against Alcaraz. While Sinner’s game is one of the most complete on tour, he has yet to solve the challenge Alcaraz presents on clay. He will be hoping to change that as he looks to go deeper than the third round at Roland Garros for the first time.

Novak Djokovic remains a wildcard. At 38 years old, he continues to push the limits of what is possible at his age. He reached the semifinals in Australia and the final in Miami this year but has also endured early exits in Doha, Indian Wells, Monte Carlo and Madrid. Despite his inconsistency, Djokovic has not lost a completed match at Roland Garros since his 2022 defeat to Nadal. His run last year ended due to a knee injury, but if healthy and motivated, he still has the tools to win a fourth French Open title.

A deep run from Djokovic would likely include meetings with some of the tour’s toughest names, including Daniil Medvedev, Zverev, Sinner and Alcaraz. Each of those matchups could test whether his body and desire can carry him through another grueling fortnight in Paris.

Outside Contenders and Rising Threats

While Alcaraz, Sinner and Djokovic dominate the spotlight, others in the field are more than capable of shaking things up.

Alexander Zverev is one of those players. He shocked Nadal last year and recently won a title in Munich. However, his form has been inconsistent. He was beaten in Rome by Lorenzo Musetti and suffered an early loss in Hamburg to Alexandre Muller. Unlike last year, Zverev is not entering Roland Garros as a clear title threat, but his experience and power on clay cannot be overlooked.

Casper Ruud, twice a finalist in Paris, has also struggled to maintain momentum. Despite a strong clay résumé, he was overpowered by Sinner in Rome and will need to raise his level if he hopes to make another deep run.

Perhaps the most intriguing name among the second tier is Lorenzo Musetti. The Italian has reached the latter stages of Monte Carlo and Rome and owns wins over Zverev and other top players this season. His five-set battles with Djokovic in Paris have already made headlines in past years. This time, he arrives with more experience, better form and a clear opportunity to go beyond his previous best.

A New Era Begins

With Nadal no longer in the draw, Roland Garros 2025 marks the beginning of a new chapter in men’s tennis. Alcaraz has the momentum, Sinner has the ranking, and Djokovic still has the legacy. Around them, players like Zverev, Ruud and Musetti are hoping this is the year they break through.

The race for the Coupe des Mousquetaires has never felt more open. For the first time in two decades, it belongs to no one.

Who will make it their own?