As the 2025 French Open unfolds on the iconic clay of Roland Garros, Carlos Alcaraz, the defending men’s champion, is navigating the tournament with his trademark resilience and optimism, even after being relegated to smaller courts for his early matches. The 22-year-old Spaniard, ranked world No. 3, kicked off his title defense with a commanding 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over American qualifier Emilio Nava on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, rather than the prestigious Court Philippe-Chatrier, where top seeds like Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek opened their campaigns. Despite the scheduling decision raising eyebrows, Alcaraz brushed off the perceived slight with characteristic grace, focusing on his performance and love for the game. “Honestly, I don’t mind too much. Every court here is special, and I’m just happy to play and win,” he said post-match, his infectious smile underscoring his unflappable mindset.
The French Open’s scheduling choices have sparked debate, particularly as Alcaraz, who clinched his maiden Roland Garros title in 2024 against Alexander Zverev, was not granted a night session or Chatrier slot for his first-round match. Instead, the tournament favored Sinner’s clash with Arthur Rinderknech and Ben Shelton’s match against Lorenzo Sonego for prime evening billing, while Swiatek and others headlined the main court during the day. Alcaraz, however, remained unfazed by the snub. “I love playing on any court at Roland Garros. Suzanne-Lenglen, Chatrier, they all feel like home to me,” he said, emphasizing his appreciation for the tournament’s atmosphere over court placement. His focus on the bigger picture—defending his title and chasing a fourth Grand Slam—has kept him grounded amid the chatter.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. After a stellar 2024 that saw him win both the French Open and Wimbledon, he faced setbacks, including a surprising second-round exit at the US Open to Botic van de Zandschulp and a semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, hampered by a thigh injury. “This year has been tough, but it’s made me stronger,” he reflected, noting how injuries and tough losses have fueled his hunger. His first-round performance against Nava showcased his clay-court prowess, with 28 winners and a 75% first-serve point win rate, signaling a return to form. “I felt great out there. The clay suits my game, and I’m ready for the challenge,” he added, his aggressive baseline play and deft drop shots echoing the flair that made him a fan favorite.
The scheduling decision comes against the backdrop of Alcaraz’s meteoric rise since his 2022 US Open triumph at age 19. Mentored by Juan Carlos Ferrero, he has drawn comparisons to Rafael Nadal for his relentless energy and clay-court dominance. Nadal, who retired during this French Open, praised Alcaraz’s mentality: “Carlos has that fire inside, but also joy. He plays with a smile, and that’s his strength.” Alcaraz’s 2024 Roland Garros run, where he overcame a five-set epic against Sinner in the semifinals, cemented his status as a clay-court titan. Yet, the tournament’s choice to prioritize other matches has fueled discussions about fairness, especially given Alcaraz’s status as defending champion and his 14-2 record on Parisian clay.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz faces a tricky second-round clash against either Jack Draper or Dominik Koepfer, with potential blockbusters against Daniil Medvedev or Sinner looming in the later rounds. “Every match here is tough, but I’m ready to fight,” he said, his competitive spirit undimmed by the scheduling debate. Off the court, Alcaraz has embraced his role as a global ambassador for tennis, with endorsements from Nike and Rolex boosting his estimated $20 million net worth. His humility, however, remains a hallmark. “I’m just a kid from Murcia who loves tennis,” he said after his 2024 title, a sentiment echoed in his lighthearted response to playing on Lenglen: “The fans were amazing, and that’s what matters to me.”
As Roland Garros progresses, Alcaraz’s focus is clear: adding to his Grand Slam tally while inspiring a new generation. Tennis legend Mats Wilander believes he’s the man to beat, noting, “Carlos has the game to dominate on clay for years.” Whether on Chatrier or Lenglen, Alcaraz’s electric play and positive outlook make him a formidable force, proving that no matter the court, he’s ready to leave his mark on Paris once again.
# Carlos Alcaraz Shrugs Off French Open Scheduling Snub with Signature Positivity
As the 2025 French Open unfolds on the iconic clay of Roland Garros, Carlos Alcaraz, the defending men’s champion, is navigating the tournament with his trademark resilience and optimism, even after being relegated to smaller courts for his early matches. The 22-year-old Spaniard, ranked world No. 3, kicked off his title defense with a commanding 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over American qualifier Emilio Nava on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, rather than the prestigious Court Philippe-Chatrier, where top seeds like Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek opened their campaigns. Despite the scheduling decision raising eyebrows, Alcaraz brushed off the perceived slight with characteristic grace, focusing on his performance and love for the game. “Honestly, I don’t mind too much. Every court here is special, and I’m just happy to play and win,” he said post-match, his infectious smile underscoring his unflappable mindset.
The scheduling debate has sparked discussion, particularly as Alcaraz, who clinched his maiden Roland Garros title in 2024 against Alexander Zverev, was not granted a night session or Chatrier slot for his first-round match. Instead, the tournament favored Sinner’s clash with Arthur Rinderknech and Ben Shelton’s match against Lorenzo Sonego for prime evening billing, while Swiatek and others headlined the main court during the day. Alcaraz, however, remained unfazed by the snub. “I love playing on any court at Roland Garros. Suzanne-Lenglen, Chatrier, they all feel like home to me,” he said, emphasizing his appreciation for the tournament’s atmosphere over court placement. His focus on the bigger picture—defending his title and chasing a fourth Grand Slam—has kept him grounded amid the chatter.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. After a stellar 2024 that saw him win both the French Open and Wimbledon, he faced setbacks, including a surprising second-round exit at the US Open to Botic van de Zandschulp and a semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, hampered by a thigh injury. “This year has been tough, but it’s made me stronger,” he reflected, noting how injuries and tough losses have fueled his hunger. His first-round performance against Nava showcased his clay-court prowess, with 28 winners and a 75% first-serve point win rate, signaling a return to form. “I felt great out there. The clay suits my game, and I’m ready for the challenge,” he added, his aggressive baseline play and deft drop shots echoing the flair that made him a fan favorite.
The scheduling decision comes against the backdrop of Alcaraz’s meteoric rise since his 2022 US Open triumph at age 19. Mentored by Juan Carlos Ferrero, he has drawn comparisons to Rafael Nadal for his relentless energy and clay-court dominance. Nadal, who retired during this French Open, praised Alcaraz’s mentality: “Carlos has that fire inside, but also joy. He plays with a smile, and that’s his strength.” Alcaraz’s 2024 Roland Garros run, where he overcame a five-set epic against Sinner in the semifinals, cemented his status as a clay-court titan. Yet, the tournament’s choice to prioritize other matches has fueled discussions about fairness, especially given Alcaraz’s status as defending champion and his 14-2 record on Parisian clay.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz faces a tricky second-round clash against either Jack Draper or Dominik Koepfer, with potential blockbusters against Daniil Medvedev or Sinner looming in the later rounds. “Every match here is tough, but I’m ready to fight,” he said, his competitive spirit undimmed by the scheduling debate. Off the court, Alcaraz has embraced his role as a global ambassador for tennis, with endorsements from Nike and Rolex boosting his estimated $20 million net worth. His humility, however, remains a hallmark. “I’m just a kid from Murcia who loves tennis,” he said after his 2024 title, a sentiment echoed in his lighthearted response to playing on Lenglen: “The fans were amazing, and that’s what matters to me.”
As Roland Garros progresses, Alcaraz’s focus is clear: adding to his Grand Slam tally while inspiring a new generation. Tennis legend Mats Wilander believes he’s the man to beat, noting, “Carlos has the game to dominate on clay for years.” Whether on Chatrier or Lenglen, Alcaraz’s electric play and positive outlook make him a formidable force, proving that no matter the court, he’s ready to leave his mark on Paris once again.
Leave a Reply