2025 French Open Men’s Preview: Djokovic Aims High, Americans Hope to End Drought

Djokovic going for a 25th Grand Slam victory and Americans looking to end a 22-year drought are among the top storylines.
2025 French Open Men’s Preview: Djokovic Aims High, Americans Hope to End Drought
Serbia's Novak Djokovic serves to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during their men's singles final at the Roland-Garros Stadium during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Aug. 4, 2024. Carl De Souza/AFP via Getty Images
Ross Kelly
Updated:
0:00

A week after golf’s second major wrapped up, tennis’s second major will take center stage in Paris.

The 2025 French Open begins Sunday, with the men’s singles final set for June 8. Carlos Alcaraz is the reigning champion, and while the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, is no longer competing, Novak Djokovic is a part of the 2025 Roland-Garros field. Meanwhile, the top-seeded Jannik Sinner is coming off a three-month doping suspension, so there are plenty of things to talk about regarding the men’s side. Here are the top storylines.

Djokovic Seeking a Class of His Own

Last year Djokovic was the defending French Open champion but had to withdraw from the quarterfinals due to injury. He enters Roland-Garros this year without a championship in each of his last five Grand Slams, which is his longest drought since 2017-18. Joker sits on 24 Grand Slam titles, which is already the most ever on the men’s side, but he’s tied with Margaret Court, who won 24 on the women’s side. No one has 25 Grand Slam victories, and Djokovic certainly wants to make more history.
Ross Kelly
Ross Kelly
Author
Ross Kelly is a sports journalist who has been published by ESPN, CBS and USA Today. He has also done statistical research for Stats Inc. and Synergy Sports Technology. A graduate of LSU, Ross resides in Houston.