As the 2025 French Open unfolds at Roland Garros, American tennis stars Coco Gauff and Madison Keys have ignited a lively discussion among fans with their contrasting predictions for the men’s singles title. The No. 2 and No. 7 seeds, respectively, on the women’s side, shared their insights in a promotional video ahead of the tournament’s start on May 25, 2025, revealing not only their competitive spirit but also their keen interest in the men’s draw. While both players are focused on their own campaigns—Gauff facing Olivia Gadecki and Keys taking on Daria Saville in the first round—their differing choices for the men’s champion have added an extra layer of intrigue to the clay-court Grand Slam.
Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion and a 2022 French Open finalist, backed defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, citing his recent dominance on clay. “I mean, I guess I would have to go with Carlos,” she said, her confidence rooted in Alcaraz’s stellar 2025 clay season, which included titles in Monte Carlo and Rome, and a 15-1 record on the surface. The 22-year-old Spaniard, ranked world No. 2, is coming off a commanding 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 first-round win over Giulio Zeppieri, reinforcing his status as a favorite. Gauff’s choice reflects her belief in Alcaraz’s ability to leverage his explosive forehand and relentless energy to become the first man since Rafael Nadal in 2020 to defend the Roland Garros title.
In contrast, Keys, fresh off her Australian Open triumph in January 2025, threw her support behind world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. “I think Jannik Sinner is going to win,” she declared, pointing to the Italian’s consistency and recent form. Sinner, who won the Australian and US Opens in 2024, reached the Rome final and is riding a 12-1 record in 2025. His first-round match against Arthur Rinderknech, scheduled for the evening session on May 26, 2025, is expected to set the tone for his campaign. Keys’ pick highlights Sinner’s clean ball-striking and mental toughness, qualities that have made him a formidable force on all surfaces, including clay.
The debate between Gauff and Keys underscores the open nature of the 2025 men’s draw, especially in the wake of Rafael Nadal’s retirement. “There’s … 20 different people that you wouldn’t be surprised if they end up winning the tournament,” Keys remarked, capturing the unpredictability of this year’s field. Without Nadal’s dominance, which saw him claim 14 titles, the tournament feels wide open. Alcaraz, with his 28-2 clay-court record since May 2024, and Sinner, with his Olympic bronze and Wimbledon semifinal in 2024, are the leading contenders, but dark horses like Casper Ruud, a two-time finalist, and Novak Djokovic, a two-time champion, loom large.
Gauff also highlighted a dark horse, selecting 20-year-old Czech Jakub Mensik. “Dark Horse, I’ll go with [Jakub] Mensik. I think he’s a good competitor,” she said, nodding to the young player’s potential to upset higher seeds. Mensik, who reached the third round in Rome, is an intriguing pick, though his lack of Grand Slam experience makes him a long shot. Meanwhile, Keys’ focus on Sinner reflects her belief in established stars, especially after her own breakthrough at the Australian Open, where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.
For Gauff and Keys, their predictions come amidst their own ambitions. Gauff, with a 20-5 record at Roland Garros and a favorable draw, is a strong contender to end the American women’s title drought since Serena Williams’ 2015 victory. Keys, who breezed past Saville 6-2, 6-1 in her opener, aims to build on her 2018 semifinal run. Their friendly disagreement adds a layer of camaraderie to the intense competition, with both players drawing inspiration from the men’s field as they chase their own glory on the Parisian clay.
# Coco Gauff and Madison Keys Spark Debate with Divergent Picks for 2025 French Open Men’s Champion
## Overview
American tennis stars Coco Gauff and Madison Keys have shared contrasting predictions for the 2025 French Open men’s singles title, with Gauff backing Carlos Alcaraz and Keys favoring Jannik Sinner. Their picks, revealed in a promotional video, highlight the competitive and unpredictable men’s draw at Roland Garros, which began on May 25, 2025.
## Gauff’s Pick: Carlos Alcaraz
– **Quote**: “I mean, I guess I would have to go with Carlos.” — Coco Gauff
– **Reasoning**: Gauff cited Alcaraz’s 15-1 clay record in 2025, including titles in Monte Carlo and Rome, and his defending champion status. Alcaraz’s 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 first-round win over Giulio Zeppieri reinforces his dominance.
– **Dark Horse**: Gauff named Jakub Mensik, praising his competitiveness despite his limited Grand Slam experience.
## Keys’ Pick: Jannik Sinner
– **Quote**: “I think Jannik Sinner is going to win.” — Madison Keys
– **Reasoning**: Keys pointed to Sinner’s 12-1 record in 2025 and his Rome final run. The world No. 1, who won the 2024 Australian and US Opens, faces Arthur Rinderknech in the first round on May 26, 2025.
– **Context**: Keys emphasized the open field, stating, “There’s … 20 different people that you wouldn’t be surprised if they end up winning the tournament.”
## Tournament Context
– **Men’s Draw**: With Rafael Nadal retired, Alcaraz and Sinner lead the field, but Casper Ruud, Novak Djokovic, and others pose threats. The absence of Nadal’s dominance makes 2025 a pivotal year.
– **Women’s Campaigns**: Gauff, the No. 2 seed, faces Olivia Gadecki, while Keys, the No. 7 seed, advanced past Daria Saville 6-2, 6-1. Both aim for deep runs, with Gauff eyeing her first Roland Garros title.
## Significance
The friendly debate between Gauff and Keys reflects the excitement surrounding the 2025 French Open, where the men’s title race is wide open. Their predictions highlight the clash between Alcaraz’s clay-court mastery and Sinner’s all-surface consistency, setting the stage for a thrilling tournament.
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