The 2025 French Open is less than a month away as the stars of men’s and women’s tennis prepare to battle it out for the title in Paris.
In 2024, Iga Swiatek won her third consecutive French Open title, beating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, 6-2, 6-1, in the final.
On the men’s side, three-time champion Novak Djokovic withdrew ahead of his quarterfinal match with Casper Ruud, as he succumbed to injury.
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Both players have struggled for form in 2025, and are trophy-less as we enter the fifth month of the season, a rare occurrence for two players who have spent over 100 weeks ranked number one in the world.
With both players low on confidence approaching this year’s French Open, two tennis legends have shared their predictions on how Swiatek and Djokovic will perform at Roland Garros.
Jim Courier thinks Novak Djokovic will qualify for the second week of the 2025 French Open
Appearing on the Tennis Channel Live Podcast, Jim Courier was asked what he believes is more likely to happen: Swiatek reach the French Open final, or Djokovic make it to the second week at Roland Garros.
“I think Rome will be really instructive to see how she [Iga Swiatek] pulls up there, in conditions more similar to Roland Garros,” he said.
“But best of five format, probably gives that cushion for Novak [Djokovic] to work his way through a draw and into the round of 16 if he’s healthy.
“He seems healthy, just oddly not playing in Rome, and I am still puzzled by that. I just don’t really understand it.
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“But for him to win three matches vs Iga winning six matches, I think maybe Novak.”
Two-time US Open champion Tracy Austin answered the same question, agreeing with her fellow American.
“I am going to go with Novak Djokovic making the second week,” said Austin.
“He got to the semis of Australia. The finals of Miami. He has looked a bit off in the other tournaments.
“For Iga [Swiatek], that one-month suspension at the end of last year, her grandfather passed away a week or so ago, she looked all out of sorts against Coco [Gauff].
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“She has not been to a final since Roland Garros last year.”
Swiatek has remarkably lost five semi-finals since, as she’s yet to return to a Championship match.
Iga Swiatek’s semi-final defeats since 2024 French Open
The Pole will no doubt hope to go all the way in Paris next month, as she looks to become the first player to win four-straight French Open women’s singles titles in the Open Era.
Novak Djokovic’s dire French Open preparation
During his time as a professional, Djokovic has picked up 20 clay-court titles, a mightily impressive tally.
- Grand Slam – 3
- Olympic Games – 1
- Masters 1000 – 11
- ATP 250 – 5
However, his performances on the surface have been poor in 2025, losing both of the matches he’s played on clay.
2025 Monte-Carlo Masters – Novak Djokovic lost to Alejandro Tabilo
Traveling to the principality as the number three seed, Djokovic was hoping to kick off his clay-court campaign with a big win over Alejandro Tabilo.
Tabilo had beaten Djokovic one year earlier at the Italian Open, and he quickly took the initiative in their second career meeting.
Unable to take back control, Djokovic slumped to a disappointing 3-6, 4-6 defeat against Tabilo.
He had the perfect opportunity to bounce back, however, when he traveled to Spain for the Madrid Open, a tournament he’d won three times previously.
2025 Madrid Open – Novak Djokovic lost to Matteo Arnaldi
After resting for several weeks while his rivals competed in Barcelona and Munich, Djokovic returned to action in Madrid, taking on Matteo Arnaldi in his opener.
The Italian had spoken openly about how he ‘idolized’ Djokovic during his younger years, but showed no mercy as he made light work of the 24-time Major champion in straight sets.
Djokovic then withdrew from the Italian Open, meaning he will likely step onto the court in Paris without a 2025 clay court victory to his name.
The Serb will have to rely on his pedigree and experience at the event if he wants to win a fourth French Open title this year, as his clay-court form looks anything but Grand Slam worthy.
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Betting against Djokovic is a dangerous game, however, as the Serb has proven many times why fans shouldn’t count him out.
Djokovic will return to action at the French Open, which begins on Sunday, May 25.