Jannik Sinner, of Italy, executing a picture-perfect backhand volley against Holger Rune, of Denmark, at the 2022 ATP Sofia Open tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria
5 things I (really) liked about the 2025 French Open
There was a lot to like—even love—about Roland Garros. Here are my five picks.
The men’s final was a classic for consistently high-level tennis, spectacular shots, superb sportsmanship, great suspense, and an unpredictable denouement. I rate Carlos Alcaraz’s 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 victory over Jannik Sinner as the greatest men’s match ever played at our sport’s only Grand Slam tournament on clay. I also rank it among the top three at all the majors. The others were the 2012 Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal and the 2008 Wimbledon final between Nadal and Roger Federer.
The women’s final was memorable for Coco Gauff’s never-say-die spirit and Aryna Sabalenka’s inability to control her emotions during Gauff’s exciting 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 triumph. The duel was a strikingly similar re-run of the 2023 US Open final when Coco rebounded after losing the first set, using her defensive skills while attacking opportunistically. Gauff learned from that, while Sabalenka did not. Character is often destiny, and while Gauff is not the best player in the world, day in and day out, because her serve and forehand can break down, she can elevate her game in big events.
Lois Boisson was a revelation. With the boisterous French crowd cheering for her every point, this wild card ranked an obscure No. 361, upset No. 24 Elise Mertens, No. 3 Jessica Pegula, and fast-rising, No. 6 Mirra Andreeva, an 18-year-old Russian. The muscular, 5’9” Boisson became just the third woman—after teen phenoms Jennifer Capriati and Monica Seles—to make the semifinals in her debut major. Her wicked spinning Western forehand, terrific foot speed, deceptive touch shots, and wonderful competitiveness offset a weak one-handed slice backhand until she ran into Gauff. Boisson's style is reminiscent of that of Samantha Stosur, the 2011 US Open winner and 2010 French Open runner-up.
A poignant farewell ceremony paid tribute to Rafael Nadal, who retired last year. Rafa shed tears as 10,000 spectators cheered him. The King of Clay amassed 14 Roland Garros titles, a record that will never be broken there or at any other major. Those 14 titles, etched in our memories, were also etched on a footprint on a plaque on Court Philippe Chatrier. Posterity will marvel at this feat—both fans of tennis and those world-class players fortunate to compete on that famous court.
Four young North Americans highly impressed me. Gabriel Diallo, a 23-year-old Canadian, stunned 18th seed Francisco Cerundolo, a clay-court standout from Argentina, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. The wiry, 6’8” Diallo routinely serves in the 130s and should prove even better on grass and hard courts.
The same holds true for Victoria Mboko. The hard-hitting, 18-year-old Canadian qualifier beat No. 45 Lulu Sun and No. 59 Eva Lys in straight sets and then lost to No. 8 Zheng Qinwen, the gold medalist at the Paris Olympics.
Hailey Baptiste, a 23-year-old American power hitter, enjoyed her best major, upsetting No. 23 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and reached the fourth round before No. 7 Madison Keys stopped her.
Another talented player to watch is Ethan Quinn, a 21-year-old American who won the 2023 NCAA singles title. Quinn upset an injured Grigor Dimitrov, who was forced to retire in the fourth set, and then whacked 92 winners to overcome Kazakhstani Alexander Shevchenko 6-4, 4-6, 6-7(5), 7-6(3), 7-5. “The whole experience has been surreal. I didn’t expect myself to get this far,” Quinn said.
Paul Fein — June 15, 2025
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