PARIS/STARNBERG, May 25, 2025
Main-draw action of the 2025 edition of Roland Garros got underway in Paris on Sunday, marking the start of two weeks of world-class clay-court tennis at the second Grand Slam tournament of the season.
Women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka opened her title bid with a comfortable first-round win. The 27-year-old Belarusian cruised past Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia 6-1, 6-0 in only 61 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Sabalenka struck five aces aces and won 71 per cent of her first-service points.
Up next for Sabalenka will be Jil Teichman from Switzerland, who beat Italian qualifier Lucrezia Stefanini 6-4 6-4.
Elsewhere, teenager Victoria Mboko made a stunning start to her Grand Slam career, advancing to the second round with a commanding win over World No. 45 Lulu Sun. The 18-year-old Canadian, who powered through qualifying without dropping a set, carried her momentum into the main draw, defeating New Zealand’s Sun 6-1, 7-6(4).
“I didn’t expect the whole thing, honestly,” she said. “I mean, even to be here and playing, even the quallies. I was so excited to be in a Grand Slam for the first ever time.
“The whole thing is honestly kind of a surprise. I mean, now I’m here I feel like I can do something with it and make the most of it.”
Musetti beats Hanfmann
In the men’s draw, No. 8 seed Lorenzo Musetti was the highest seed in action on the opening day at Roland Garros. The 23-year-old Italian continued his fine run of form with a 7-5 6-2 6-0 victory over German Yannick Hanfmann. Musetti has been in exceptional clay-court form, climbing into the world’s top 10 for the first time earlier this May.
The Carrara native enjoyed a strong run during the spring swing, reaching the Monte Carlo Masters final in April, where he was stopped by Carlos Alcaraz, and following it up with semi-final appearances at both the Mutua Madrid Open and the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome.
“This month has been incredible. I’ve reached many of my goals,” Musetti said. “But I think the best is yet to come. I’ve managed to find a way to make the click I needed to step forward in the rankings and in my level.”
The World No. 7 will face Colombian lucky loser Daniel Elahi Galan in the second round.
Nadal honoured on Philippe-Chatrier
In the afternoon, Rafael Nadal was given a hero’s send-off at Roland Garros, the tournament where he built one of the greatest legacies in tennis history. In a heartfelt farewell ceremony on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the 14-time French Open champion was honored in front of a full stadium of fans, fellow players, and legends of the game.
The atmosphere was charged with admiration as spectators, many wearing “Merci Rafa” shirts, celebrated the man who has dominated the red clay like no other. A powerful tribute video relived Nadal’s unforgettable moments in Paris.
RAFA #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/071C9LxmES
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 25, 2025
Adding to the emotional weight of the occasion, current stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek were present, paying their respects to the ‘King of Clay’. And as the ceremony neared its conclusion, Nadal’s greatest rivals — Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray — stepped onto the court to stand beside him one more time, a fitting tribute to an era-defining champion.
