Will Iga Świątek Make History?
Iga Świątek, already a four-time French Open champion, could become the first woman in the Open Era to win four straight Roland Garros titles. Although her recent form raises questions, her dominance on clay is undisputed. Chris Evert, who holds the record with seven French Open titles, believes Świątek may eventually surpass her. Despite a seemingly open draw, any contender will likely have to beat Świątek in top form, making the title hers to lose.
Nadal’s Final Goodbye?
After 14 titles at Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal is expected to receive a proper farewell this year. Previous tributes felt awkward due to lopsided losses. This time, however, Nadal—satisfied with his career—will be honored on his terms.
Line Calling Controversy on Clay
The French Open remains the only Grand Slam not to use electronic line calling (ELC), relying instead on traditional line judges. While the French Tennis Federation defends this choice as a point of national pride, many players—accustomed to ELC elsewhere—prefer the precision of technology over human judgment. Disputes over ball marks continue to fuel debate.
Player Power Moves
Top ATP and WTA players met with Grand Slam officials to push for a greater share of tournament revenues and more input in decision-making. They’re also requesting improved welfare provisions like pensions and healthcare. These negotiations reflect growing player influence and ongoing tensions between players and tennis governing bodies.
The Fading “Sandwich Generation”
Players like Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Andrey Rublev are running out of time to win a major. Now nearing 30, they’ve yet to break through consistently at Grand Slams, especially as younger stars emerge and the Big Three era fades.
Weather Watch at Roland Garros
The French Open is uniquely affected by weather. Rain doesn’t just delay play—it changes the nature of the surface. Matches can shift dramatically in style depending on whether conditions are wet and slow or dry and bouncy. Weather could be a hidden factor shaping outcomes throughout the tournament.
