In a dramatic turn of events just days before the 2025 French Open, world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, faced an unexpected change to his opening-round matchup at Roland Garros. Originally set to clash with Japan’s Kei Nishikori, a former world No. 4 and three-time Roland Garros quarterfinalist, Alcaraz learned on Saturday, May 24, 2025, that Nishikori had withdrawn due to persistent lower back pain. This last-minute shakeup thrust Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri into the spotlight as Alcaraz’s new first-round opponent, setting the stage for an intriguing battle on the Parisian clay.
Alcaraz, a 22-year-old Spaniard, enters the tournament as a favorite, fresh off a stellar clay season. With victories at Monte Carlo and Rome, and a final appearance in Barcelona—where he suffered his only clay loss of 2025 to Holger Rune—Alcaraz boasts a remarkable 15-1 record on the surface this year. His confidence is palpable. “I’m excited,” he said, reflecting on his clay-court dominance. “I’ve been playing great matches, I’ve got great wins in this clay season.” His powerful groundstrokes, deceptive drop shots, and relentless athleticism, often compared to Rafael Nadal, make him a formidable force as he aims to become the first man since Nadal to defend the French Open title.
Nishikori’s withdrawal, announced shortly after the qualifying rounds concluded, stemmed from a lower back injury that forced him to retire during a second-round match against Karen Khachanov in Geneva earlier that week. The 35-year-old Japanese veteran, ranked No. 62, had been poised for a challenging first-round encounter with Alcaraz, marking their first career meeting. His absence opened the door for Zeppieri, a 23-year-old left-hander ranked No. 306, who earned his main-draw spot with a flawless qualifying run. Zeppieri defeated Jan Choinski, Eliot Spizzirri, and Federico Gomez without dropping a set, showcasing his potential as a dangerous opponent despite his current ranking.
Zeppieri, who has battled injuries that pushed him out of the top 300, is no stranger to Roland Garros. He reached the second round in both 2023 and 2024, proving his comfort on the red dirt. Known for his powerful left-handed shots and aggressive style, Zeppieri’s volatile temperament adds an unpredictable edge. This will be his second meeting with Alcaraz, following a competitive three-set loss in the 2022 Umag semifinals, where Alcaraz prevailed 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. “The confidence is really high right now,” Alcaraz noted, undeterred by the change in opponent, as he prepares to extend his perfect 16-0 first-round record at Grand Slams.
The reshuffle also impacted the broader draw, with four lucky losers stepping into the main draw. Former world No. 3 Marin Cilic will face Flavio Cobolli, while Alexander Shevchenko takes on Dusan Lajovic, Elmer Moller challenges 12th seed Tommy Paul, and Thiago Agustin Tirante meets Damir Dzumhur. These changes highlight the unpredictable nature of Grand Slam tennis, where injuries can alter the landscape in an instant.
Alcaraz’s path at Roland Garros remains daunting. Seeded second, he could face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan or Italy’s Luca Nardi in the second round, with towering Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard looming as a potential third-round foe. A fourth-round clash with 2021 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas or big-serving Ben Shelton awaits, while two-time finalist Casper Ruud is a projected quarterfinal opponent. Despite avoiding top seeds like Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Jack Draper until a potential final, Alcaraz’s draw is far from easy.
Zeppieri, meanwhile, sees this as a golden opportunity. His qualifying performance—where no set went beyond 6-4—demonstrates his current form, and his prior experience against top players, including a 2023 Roland Garros loss to Ruud, equips him for the challenge. The Italian’s left-handed game, which mirrors Nadal’s spin-heavy style, could test Alcaraz’s adaptability on clay, where the Spaniard’s drop shots, praised by Andy Roddick as “the best in the history of tennis,” often dictate play.
As Alcaraz steps onto Court Philippe-Chatrier on Monday or Tuesday, the tennis world will watch closely. His ability to navigate early challenges, starting with Zeppieri, will set the tone for his title defense. For the Italian qualifier, this match represents a chance to make a statement against one of the sport’s brightest stars. The 2025 French Open, running from May 25 to June 8, promises drama from the outset, with Alcaraz’s quest for a second Roland Garros crown now facing an unexpected twist.
# Alcaraz Faces New Roland Garros Challenge After Nishikori’s Withdrawal
In a dramatic turn of events just days before the 2025 French Open, world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, faced an unexpected change to his opening-round matchup at Roland Garros. Originally set to clash with Japan’s Kei Nishikori, a former world No. 4 and three-time Roland Garros quarterfinalist, Alcaraz learned on Saturday, May 24, 2025, that Nishikori had withdrawn due to persistent lower back pain. This last-minute shakeup thrust Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri into the spotlight as Alcaraz’s new first-round opponent, setting the stage for an intriguing battle on the Parisian clay.
Alcaraz, a 22-year-old Spaniard, enters the tournament as a favorite, fresh off a stellar clay season. With victories at Monte Carlo and Rome, and a final appearance in Barcelona—where he suffered his only clay loss of 2025 to Holger Rune—Alcaraz boasts a remarkable 15-1 record on the surface this year. His confidence is palpable. “I’m excited,” he said, reflecting on his clay-court dominance. “I’ve been playing great matches, I’ve got great wins in this clay season.” His powerful groundstrokes, deceptive drop shots, and relentless athleticism, often compared to Rafael Nadal, make him a formidable force as he aims to become the first man since Nadal to defend the French Open title.
Nishikori’s withdrawal, announced shortly after the qualifying rounds concluded, stemmed from a lower back injury that forced him to retire during a second-round match against Karen Khachanov in Geneva earlier that week. The 35-year-old Japanese veteran, ranked No. 62, had been poised for a challenging first-round encounter with Alcaraz, marking their first career meeting. His absence opened the door for Zeppieri, a 23-year-old left-hander ranked No. 306, who earned his main-draw spot with a flawless qualifying run. Zeppieri defeated Jan Choinski, Eliot Spizzirri, and Federico Gomez without dropping a set, showcasing his potential as a dangerous opponent despite his current ranking.
Zeppieri, who has battled injuries that pushed him out of the top 300, is no stranger to Roland Garros. He reached the second round in both 2023 and 2024, proving his comfort on the red dirt. Known for his powerful left-handed shots and aggressive style, Zeppieri’s volatile temperament adds an unpredictable edge. This will be his second meeting with Alcaraz, following a competitive three-set loss in the 2022 Umag semifinals, where Alcaraz prevailed 7-7-5, 4-6, 6-3. “The confidence is really high right now,” Alcaraz noted, undeterred by the change in opponent, as he prepares to extend his perfect 16-0 first-round record at Grand Slams.
The reshuffle also impacted the broader draw, with four lucky losers stepping into the main draw. Former world No. 3 Marin Cilic will face Flavio Cobolli, while Alexander Shevchenko takes on Dusan Lajovic, Elmer Moller challenges 12th seed Tommy Paul, and Thiago Agustin Tirante meets Damir Dzumhur. These changes highlight the unpredictable nature of Grand Slam tennis, where injuries can alter the landscape in an instant.
Alcaraz’s path at Roland Garros remains daunting. Seeded second, he could face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan or Italy’s Luca Nardi in the second round, with towering Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard looming as a potential third-round foe. A fourth-round clash with 2021 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas or big-serving Ben Shelton awaits, while two-time finalist Casper Ruud is a projected quarterfinal opponent. Despite avoiding top seeds like Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Jack Draper until a potential final, Alcaraz’s draw is far from easy.
Zeppieri, meanwhile, sees this as a golden opportunity. His qualifying performance—where no set went beyond 6-4—demonstrates his current form, and his prior experience against top players, including a 2023 Roland Garros loss to Ruud, equips him for the challenge. The Italian’s left-handed game, which mirrors Nadal’s spin-heavy style, could test Alcaraz’s adaptability on clay, where the Spaniard’s drop shots, praised by Andy Roddick as “the best in the history of tennis,” often dictate play.
As Alcaraz steps onto Court Philippe-Chatrier on Monday or Tuesday, the tennis world will watch closely. His ability to navigate early challenges, starting with Zeppieri, will set the tone for his title defense. For the Italian qualifier, this match represents a chance to make a statement against one of the sport’s brightest stars. The 2025 French Open, running from May 25 to June 8, promises drama from the outset, with Alcaraz’s quest for a second Roland Garros crown now facing an unexpected twist.
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