The 2025 French Open tournament is less than a month away as the stars of men’s and women’s tennis prepare to compete for the title in Paris.
Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys won in Australia earlier this year and would no doubt love to add a second Major title to their collection in 2025 when the tennis circus heads to France.
They’ll face some stiff opposition from their ATP and WTA rivals, however, who will look to lift the trophy high on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
The pair will likely take part in several night sessions at this year’s French Open, with matches typically starting at 8.15 PM local time.
In 2024, Novak Djokovic beat Lorenzo Musetti in the third round of Roland Garros, 7-5, 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, a match that finished at 3.07 AM.
Night sessions have been heavily criticized over recent years, although the French Open tournament director insists that she would’ve loved to try them out.
Amelie Mauresmo says she would’ve ‘loved’ to play the controversial French Open night sessions
In conversation with Gigi Salmon, French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo was asked whether she would’ve enjoyed playing the controversial night sessions in Paris.
“I would have loved to have tried the night sessions to be honest,” she said.
“With the court, which is probably a bit heavier with the clay, getting a bit slower. For me, that would have been a good thing.
“I am not even talking about Centre Court, I am talking about the fact that now Roland Garros has light on every court and we can play late on each court, so until it rains, the whole first week we can finish matches really, really late on all the courts.
“It would be interesting to see how the conditions are late at night.”
Several big names complained about the night sessions during last year’s tournament.
“It’s a complicated thing,” said Coco Gauff.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
“I definitely think for the health and safety of the players, it would be in the sport’s best interest to try to avoid those matches finishing or starting after a certain time.”
“I just like to sleep normally,” added Iga Swiatek.
“I don’t know if the fans are watching these matches if they have to go to work the next day, or something, when the matches are finishing at 2 AM or 3 AM.”
Three-time champion Djokovic also shared his thoughts, having beaten Musetti in a marathon match that finished at 3 AM.
“Some things could have been handled a different way,” he said.
“I’m going to have to switch [on] all of my young genes and try to recover as quickly as possible.”
How did Amelie Mauresmo perform at the French Open during her tennis career?
Before becoming tournament director for the French Open, Mauresmo enjoyed a stellar tennis career, winning two Grand Slam titles.
- 2006 Australian Open winner – Beat Justine Henin in F
- 2006 Wimbledon winner – Beat Justine Henin in F
Mauresmo did, however struggle at her home tournament, as she never once reached the semi-finals in Paris.
Amelie Mauresmo’s performances at Grand Slam tournaments
Statistically, her worst Grand Slam event, Mauresmo qualified for just two Roland Garros quarterfinals, in 2003 and 2004.
On both occasions, Mauresmo lost in straight sets, to Serena Williams in 2003 and Elena Dementieva in 2004.
Her struggles at the French Open didn’t stop her from reaching the top of women’s tennis, however, as Mauresmo became world number one for the first time in 2004.
Photo by Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Regaining the top spot two years later, Mauresmo accumulated 39 total weeks as world number one.
She remains the only player from her country, male or female, to have been ranked number one in the world, cementing her place in French sporting history.
Mauresmo retired from tennis in 2009, before becoming tournament director for the French Open in 2021.
The 2025 French Open tournament is scheduled to begin on Sunday, May 25.