As the 2025 French Open unfolds at Roland Garros, the tennis world is abuzz with Carlos Alcaraz’s bold prediction for the women’s singles champion. The defending men’s champion and world No. 2, known for his electrifying play and clay-court mastery, has surprised fans by looking past favorites Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, instead placing his confidence in Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and a three-time Grand Slam winner. Alcaraz’s choice, shared during a Tennis Channel segment, has sparked lively debate, with the Spaniard dubbing Sabalenka “the tiger” for her ferocious style. “To be honest, I think Aryna Sabalenka. She’s the tiger,” Alcaraz said with a smile. “I love watching her play, so, I think she can win.” As Sabalenka storms through her opening match against Kamilla Rakhimova, Alcaraz’s pick is proving prescient, setting the stage for a thrilling tournament where power, resilience, and clay-court finesse collide.
Sabalenka, the top seed, has been a dominant force in 2025, clinching the last two Grand Slams at the Australian Open and US Open. Her aggressive baseline game, thunderous groundstrokes, and improved mental resilience make her a formidable contender on Paris’ red clay, despite never having won the French Open. Her commanding first-round victory over Rakhimova showcased her intent, with the Belarusian overpowering her opponent in straight sets. However, her path is far from easy. Potential clashes with big hitters like Danielle Collins in the second round, or Clara Tauson and Amanda Anisimova in the fourth, loom large. The quarterfinals could see her face Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, who defeated Sabalenka convincingly in Rome but trails 1-6 in their head-to-head. Alcaraz’s faith in Sabalenka reflects her ability to rise to the occasion, as he admires her relentless energy and attacking flair, qualities that could finally deliver her a Roland Garros title.
In contrast, Swiatek, the fifth seed and four-time French Open champion, faces a daunting draw. Despite her unparalleled clay-court pedigree, with titles in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, her 2025 season has been shaky, with no tournament wins and losses to players like Coco Gauff in Madrid and Danielle Collins in Rome. Her first-round match against Rebecca Sramkova is a tricky start, with potential early tests against Emma Raducanu, Elena Rybakina, or Jelena Ostapenko. Swiatek’s aura at Roland Garros remains formidable, but her current form has led some, including Alcaraz, to question her invincibility. Similarly, Gauff, the second seed, is in fine form after reaching finals in Madrid and Rome, yet Alcaraz overlooked her for Sabalenka. Gauff’s opener against Olivia Gadecki is a chance to build momentum, but her 1-11 record against Swiatek, including losses in the 2022 final and 2024 semifinals, underscores the challenge she faces on clay.
Alcaraz’s prediction diverges from his peers, many of whom backed Swiatek or Gauff. Casper Ruud, the Madrid Open champion, and Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1, both tipped Swiatek to reclaim her crown, citing her dominance on clay. “I think Iga can overcome her recent struggles to win her favorite event of the year,” Sinner said, while Ruud echoed similar confidence. Meanwhile, American players Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz predicted Gauff would capitalize on her clay-court consistency. Alcaraz’s choice of Sabalenka, however, highlights her recent Grand Slam success and ability to overpower opponents, qualities he clearly values as a spectator and competitor. “I love watching her play,” he reiterated, a nod to Sabalenka’s crowd-pleasing intensity.
The women’s draw is loaded with talent, making Alcaraz’s pick all the more intriguing. Beyond Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff, players like Mirra Andreeva, a 2024 semifinalist, and Jasmine Paolini, last year’s runner-up, pose threats. Andreeva’s clay-court instincts and Paolini’s recent Rome title add depth to the field, while Raducanu and Naomi Osaka, despite limited clay success, bring Grand Slam pedigree. Sabalenka’s quarter alone includes dangerous floaters like Zheng and Diana Shnaider, testing her mettle early. As the tournament progresses, Alcaraz’s bold call for Sabalenka to roar to victory sets up an electrifying narrative, with the “tiger” poised to challenge the clay-court hierarchy and prove the young Spaniard’s foresight on the grand stage of Roland Garros.
# Alcaraz’s Bold Prediction for French Open Women’s Champion 2025
Carlos Alcaraz, the defending men’s French Open champion, has made a surprising prediction for the 2025 women’s singles title, bypassing favorites Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff to back Aryna Sabalenka. In a Tennis Channel segment, he said: “To be honest, I think Aryna Sabalenka. She’s the tiger (smiles). I love watching her play, so, I think she can win.”
## Sabalenka’s Dominance
The world No. 1, Sabalenka crushed Kamilla Rakhimova in her first-round match, signaling her intent. With two Grand Slam titles in 2025 (Australian Open, US Open), her powerful game suits clay, but she faces potential clashes with Danielle Collins, Clara Tauson, Amanda Anisimova, or Zheng Qinwen, who beat her in Rome but trails 1-6 in their head-to-head.
## Swiatek’s Challenges
Iga Swiatek, a four-time champion, faces a tough draw with Rebecca Sramkova in the first round and possible matches against Emma Raducanu, Elena Rybakina, or Jelena Ostapenko. Despite her 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024 titles, her 2025 form, with losses to Gauff and Collins, has raised doubts. Jannik Sinner predicted: “I think Iga can overcome her recent struggles to win her favorite event of the year.”
## Gauff’s Contention
Coco Gauff, the second seed, starts against Olivia Gadecki, buoyed by Madrid and Rome finals. Yet, her 1-11 record against Swiatek, including 2022 final and 2024 semifinal losses, looms large. Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz backed her, citing her clay consistency.
## The Field and Alcaraz’s Vision
Alcaraz’s peers, including Casper Ruud, favored Swiatek, but his choice of Sabalenka reflects her recent dominance and thrilling style. With threats like Mirra Andreeva and Jasmine Paolini, the draw is unpredictable, but Sabalenka’s power could make Alcaraz’s prediction a reality.
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