2025 French Open

Get a French perspective on the highs, lows, and heartaches of the 2025 French Open (May 25 - June 8), with a special focus on the players who made (and missed) the mark.


OFFICAL POSTER

This year’s official Roland-Garros poster is a unique creation by Marc-Antoine Mathieu, a well-known French graphic novelist. He combines the worlds of tennis and comics by designing the poster like a comic strip, made up of ten panels showing different moments of a match.

The artwork moves through the day, from morning light to evening shadows, giving a sense of time and atmosphere. Created with Indian ink and digital techniques, it reflects both the energy of the game and the texture of the clay courts.

Printed in France on high-quality paper, it’s a perfect collector’s item for tennis fans, art lovers, and comic enthusiasts alike.


French Hopes and Home-Court Pressure

Every year, as spring turns to summer, the red clay of Roland Garros becomes the stage for one of the most prestigious tournaments in tennis. And every year, French fans hold their breath: will this be the year one of our own makes it through the second week?

Unfortunately, 2025 didn’t break the streak, but it did give us a few moments to believe.

The Men: Arthur Fils Leads the Charge

At just 20 years old, Arthur Fils continues to carry the hopes of French men’s tennis. Entering the tournament as France’s top-ranked male player, Fils played solidly through the early rounds, showing power and poise. His third-round match against Carlos Alcaraz was a crowd favorite, with moments of brilliance that made Court Suzanne-Lenglen erupt. Though he eventually lost in straight sets, his presence felt like a preview of what's to come.

Alongside him, Ugo Humbert and Adrian Mannarino failed to move past the second round, while Gaël Monfils, always a fan favorite, bowed out in the first round in a tough five-set battle. Age and injuries may be catching up to the veteran, but his flair and energy still light up the court.

And as for Corentin Moutet, the left-hander made it to round two but couldn’t build momentum. His creative, unpredictable game still draws attention, but consistency remains his challenge.


The Women: Clara Burel and Diane Parry Shine ... Briefly

In the women’s draw, Clara Burel was the standout. Her determined run to the fourth round brought back memories of Marion Bartoli and Mary Pierce: gritty, smart, and emotionally intense. She was ultimately outclassed by world No. 1 Iga Świątek, but Burel’s performance was a rare highlight for French women’s tennis.

Diane Parry and Varvara Gracheva (now representing France) both reached the second round. Parry’s classic one-handed backhand continues to impress purists, while Gracheva’s game shows potential. 


International Players Steal the Spotlight

With few French players making headlines, attention shifted to international stars:


The Road Ahead

So, where do we go from here?

The next generation, Luca Van Assche, Océane Dodin, Titouan Droguet, is still growing. With continued support, improved mental coaching, and a bit of luck, a breakthrough may come sooner than we think.

Until then, the French crowd will keep coming, keep cheering, and keep hoping that one day, a local hero will lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires or the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen once again.

See you in 2026, maybe for history in the making.✨