French Open 2025 Top Storylines to Track for Entire Bracket on Roland-Garros Schedule

In less than 24 hours, the 2025 French Open will officially kick off.

Despite the absence of 14-time champion Rafael Nadal, who retired prior to this season, the tournament still features plenty of captivating storylines.

For the first time in their careers, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are the No. 1 and 2 seeds in a Grand Slam draw, setting up the possibility of what would be a thrilling, must-watch Grand Slam final between the two phenoms.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic is still in search of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

In the women's draw, Iga Swiatek has her eyes on history: becoming the first woman in the Open Era to win four consecutive titles at Roland Garros.

Will Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff be able to stop her?

Here are all the storylines you need to know for the 2025 French Open.

Roland-Garros Schedule for May 25 Play

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TNT will broadcast live from Roland-Garros starting at 5 a.m. ET. There will also be whip-around coverage on truTV at the same time, while all courts will stream live on Max.

6 a.m. ET

Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Kamilla Rakhimova (Court: Chatrier)

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (31) vs. Zizou Bergs (Court: Lenglen)

Frances Tiafoe (15) vs. Roman Safiullin (Court: Lenglen)

2 p.m. ET

Ben Shelton (13) vs. Lorenzo Sonego (Court: Chatrier).

Click here for the full Sunday slate at Roland Garros.

Just How Far Can Djokovic Go?

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Last August, Novak Djokovic departed from Court Philippe-Chartier against Carlos Alcaraz, relieved yet elated, finally in possession of the one accolade his decorated closet was missing: an Olympic gold medal. 

As his face embraced the French clay, the 24-time Grand Slam champion reminded everybody that he was still the best tennis player in the world.

That was nine months ago.

To say things have been a struggle since then would be short-selling the truth: Novak Djokovic is no longer Novak Djokovic.

And he understands that reality.

“[It's] kind of [a] new reality for me, I have to say, trying to win a match or two," Djokovic told reporters last month after losing his third consecutive ATP Tour match to Matteo Arnaldi in the first round of the Madrid Open.

Djokovic has gone five consecutive Grand Slams without a title, his longest drought since 2016-18 (8 tournament appearances).

He can no longer flourish in the most physical moments or wear opponents down with his trademark defense.

To win a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, Djokovic will likely have to defeat Jannik Sinner in the semifinal and Carlos Alcaraz in the final, both of whom have already won 3+ Grand Slams.

Djokovic should be able to reach the quarterfinal for the 16th consecutive year at Roland Garros; however, anything beyond that will take consistent serving and reduced wear and tear in earlier rounds.

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner in a Slam Final? We Might Finally Get It.

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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have faced each other 11 times in their careers, producing some thrilling, must-watch tennis.

However, they have never faced off in a Grand Slam final. 

But that should change this tournament.

For Jannik Sinner, the first tough match won't come until the fourth round, against either Arthur Fils or Andrey Rublev.

For Alcaraz, it's not until the quarterfinal round, where he'd face any real threat of elimination.

Both players should be able to overcome any challenges on the way, setting up a highly anticipated Grand Slam final.

And for Jannik Sinner, revenge is on his mind after the Spaniard snapped his 26-match win streak just weeks ago in the Italian Open final.

Does Iga Swiatek Have a 4-Peat In Store?

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Despite winning the French Open each of the past three years, Iga Swiatek is not the favorite to win it all this year.

The 23-year-old has endured arguably her toughest year on tour since breaking out in 2020.

Swiatek hasn't won a WTA Tour title since last year's French Open and has failed to reach the finals of either the Madrid Open or the Italian Open this year for the first time since 2020.

Now aiming to become the first woman in the Open Era to win four consecutive French Open titles, Swiatek has an extremely difficult draw in front of her.

The potential path to her fifth French Open title includes a third-round match against an in-form Marta Kostyuk, who reached the Madrid Open quarterfinals, and a fourth-round match against former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, who is 6-0 against Swiatek.

If Swiatek survives those tests, she'll face a red-hot Jasmine Paolini—fresh off her Italian Open title and hungry for revenge after a lopsided loss in last year's final.

It's never wise to count out the "Queen of Clay," considering she's dropped two sets in her last three appearances at Roland Garros.

However, given the gauntlet she faces, this presents the perfect opportunity for either Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff to win the French Open.