Carlos Alcaraz has enjoyed a stellar clay-court campaign and would no doubt love to cap it off with a second Roland Garros title.
The 22-year-old found success in his first clay court event of the year, when Alcaraz beat Lorenzo Musetti to win the Monte-Carlo Masters.
He then reached the final of the Barcelona Open, but sustained an injury in defeat to Holger Rune, which saw Alcaraz withdraw from the Madrid Open.
Returning to action in Rome, Alcaraz took down Jannik Sinner, 7-6, 6-1, to win his first Italian Open title, completing the set of all three clay Masters 1000s.
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Alcaraz’s coaching set-up hasn’t been consistent throughout the clay season, with Juan Carlos Ferrero and Samuel Lopez often rotating between tournaments.
Ahead of his title defence in Paris, it has been confirmed who will be in Alcaraz’s box at the 2025 French Open.
Carlos Alcaraz will be coached by Juan Carlos Ferrero and Samuel Lopez at the French Open
Spanish media outlet Marca has revealed who will be coaching Alcaraz at the 2025 French Open.
Lopez and Ferrero will coach Alcaraz in Paris, as part of a seven-man team.
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
- Juan Carlos Ferrero – Coach
- Samuel Lopez – Coach
- Albert Molina – Agent
- Juanjo Moreno – Physiotherapist
- Alberto Lledo – Fitness trainer
- Juanjo Lopez – Doctor
- Alvaro Alcaraz – Training partner
Ferrero oversaw Alcaraz’s most recent triumph in Rome, but it was Lopez who guided the Spanish star to his first two titles of the year in Rotterdam and Monte-Carlo.
The pair worked together at the Barcelona Open earlier in the year, where Alcaraz finished as runner-up to Rune.
It remains to be seen if they can help the four-time Major champion return to another final at the tournament he won in 2024.
How did Carlos Alcaraz win his first French Open title in 2024?
Alcaraz had traveled to Paris four times before 2024, making improvements year on year.
- 2023 French Open – Carlos Alcaraz lost in SF to Novak Djokovic
- 2022 French Open – Carlos Alcaraz lost in QF to Alexander Zverev
- 2021 French Open – Carlos Alcaraz lost in 3R to Jan-Lennard Struff
- 2020 French Open – Carlos Alcaraz lost in Q1R to Aleksandar Vukic
Determined to go all the way on his fifth visit to the French capital, Alcaraz eased into the semi-finals, dropping just one set along the way.
Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 French Open
Standing between Alcaraz and a place in the final was his biggest rival, Sinner, who had won their sole previous meeting on clay, in Croatia, two years earlier.
Sinner looked to have the edge during the early goings, storming into a one-set lead, taking the first 6-2, before Alcaraz battled back to level things up at 2-6, 6-3.
Sinner clinched the third 6-3, leaving Alcaraz on the brink of elimination, facing a second consecutive French Open semi-final defeat.
Bravely fighting back, Alcaraz took his game to another level, winning the fourth and fifth sets, 6-4, 6-3, advancing to his maiden Roland Garros final.
There was still work to be done, as Alexander Zverev awaited him on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Winning the first set 6-3, it looked as if Alcaraz had things under control, before his German rival found a way back into the final.
Zverev, still searching for his first Grand Slam title, put himself within a set of glory by taking the second, 6-2, and third, 7-5.
For the second match in a row, Alcaraz knew he had to win the fourth and fifth sets to secure the win and did just that, dropping just three games as Zverev’s dreams quickly faded.
He was a champion in Paris, winning his third different Major, leaving him an Australian Open title away from the Career Grand Slam.
Alcaraz failed to win the Australian Open in January, but will certainly be looking to defend his French Open crown in 2025 and may be in with a good chance of doing just that.
Carlos Alcaraz’s route to the 2025 French Open title
The 22-year-old won’t be too disappointed with his French Open draw, having been placed in what many would consider to be the ‘weaker’ side of the bracket.
Alcaraz will avoid the likes of Novak Djokovic, Sinner, and Zverev until the final, should he make it that far.
- F – Jannik Sinner
- SF – Taylor Fritz
- QF – Casper Ruud
- 4R – Ben Shelton
- 3R – Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
- 2R – Fabian Marozsan
- 1R – Kei Nishikori
By ranking, his projected route to the final doesn’t look all that difficult, with the toughest test coming in the quarterfinals against Madrid Open champion Casper Ruud.
There are, however, several dangerous players lurking in his half of the draw, including 2021 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and the in-form Lorenzo Musetti.
Only time will tell how the Spaniard will perform in 2025, but it’ll certainly be interesting to see if he can defend his title.
Alcaraz will begin his French Open title defence against Japan’s Kei Nishikori when the tournament begins on Sunday, May 25