Roland Garros 2025: Match Schedule, TV Times & Surprise Contenders – Everything Tennis Fans Need to Know

Paris—The red clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier is back in the spotlight as Roland-Garros 2025 opens with fireworks on both the men’s and women’s sides. Early results, new storylines and a star-studded order of play promise one of the most unpredictable French Opens in years. Opening-Day Shockwaves • Men’s draw: No. 8 seed Lorenzo Musetti sprinted past Yannick Hanfmann in straight sets, while an inspired Ben Shelton roared back from two-sets-to-one down to eliminate Lorenzo Sonego in a five-set thriller. • Women’s draw: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka needed barely an hour to dispatch Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 6-0, sending an emphatic warning to the field. Reigning finalist Jasmine Paolini survived a mid-match wobble to edge Yuan Yue in three sets. Americans Make Noise on Clay Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe and Shelton each advanced, marking the first time three American men have won their French Open openers since 2012. With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner anchoring the opposite half of the draw, the door to a surprise deep run from an American power-hitter looks wider than it has in a decade. Women’s Field Wide-Open Behind Sabalenka Iga Świątek’s shock withdrawal with an elbow injury days before the tournament has thrown the women’s bracket into chaos. Sabalenka, 2024 semifinalist Coco Gauff, Osaka’s return to Paris, and Zheng Qinwen’s steady rise headline a slate where clay-court specialists historically dominate. Five Storylines to Watch 1. Can Rafael Nadal’s absence inspire a first-time men’s champion, or will Novak Djokovic add a fourth Coupe des Mousquetaires? 2. Will Sabalenka convert hard-court dominance to clay superiority and complete the “Sunshine-Clay” double? 3. Carlos Alcaraz’s unstoppable forehand vs. Sinner’s relentless baseline precision—possible semifinal blockbuster. 4. Naomi Osaka’s return: how quickly can her heavy groundstrokes adapt to the slow Parisian dirt? 5. The battle for No. 1 ranking: Sabalenka, Gauff and Zheng all have mathematical shots if results fall their way. Order of Play: What’s Next • Tuesday, 27 May: Alcaraz opens night session against France’s Arthur Fils; Osaka faces Clara Burel in an all-power clash. • Wednesday, 28 May: Djokovic debuts versus Alexander Shevchenko; Sabalenka v. Jil Teichmann for a place in round three. How to Watch U.S. fans can stream every match on Tennis Channel Plus and Peacock; Eurosport holds European rights, while Australian viewers tune in via Stan Sport. Free live scores and real-time stats are available on RolandGarros.com and the official RG app. Fast Facts for SEO Searchers • Tournament dates: 19 May – 8 June 2025 • Surface: outdoor clay • Prize money: record €53 million purse • Defending champions: Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek (both absent due to injury) • Venue: Stade Roland-Garros, Paris, France Stay tuned as daily upsets, clay-court artistry and Parisian drama rewrite history at tennis’s toughest Grand Slam.