As the clay courts of Roland Garros prepare to host the world’s tennis elite in May 2025, all eyes are on Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion and world No. 2, whose meteoric rise has captivated the sport. The 21-year-old Spaniard, already a four-time Grand Slam winner, is gearing up to defend his French Open title, but former world No. 1 Jim Courier has sounded a note of caution, highlighting the challenges that could test Alcaraz’s dominance on the Parisian clay. With a season marked by brilliance and setbacks, Alcaraz’s quest for a fifth major is a narrative of resilience, ambition, and fine margins.
Alcaraz’s 2024 Roland Garros triumph, where he outlasted Alexander Zverev in a grueling five-set final, cemented his status as a clay-court force. At just 21, he became the youngest man to win major titles on hard, grass, and clay, a feat that drew parallels to his idol, Rafael Nadal. His 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 victory was a testament to his tenacity, especially after overcoming a right arm injury that limited his preparation. “It’s been incredible work the last month. We were struggling a lot with the injury,” Alcaraz said post-match, crediting his team for their unwavering support. This resilience has Courier optimistic, but he warns that early-round threats could disrupt Alcaraz’s rhythm.
Courier, a two-time French Open champion, recently pointed to American Reilly Opelka as a potential “nightmare” for Alcaraz in the first round. Opelka, ranked outside the top 100 and likely unseeded, brings a towering serve and unpredictable power that could unsettle even the best. “Unless you run into someone like Reilly Opelka who can make it not about the tennis and about reactions, that would be worrying if I was on Team Alcaraz,” Courier noted. He believes Alcaraz’s early matches will be crucial, as the Spaniard needs time to settle into the tournament’s grueling best-of-five format. Yet, Courier remains confident in Alcaraz’s ability to navigate these hurdles, provided he stays healthy.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been a mixed bag. His Monte-Carlo Masters title in April marked his sixth Masters 1000 crown, but a hamstring injury sustained in the Barcelona final against Holger Rune forced him to withdraw from the Madrid Open. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I think we’ll be confident for Roland Garros,” Alcaraz said, expressing cautious optimism about his recovery. His earlier loss to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarterfinals and a shock first-round exit to David Goffin in Miami exposed vulnerabilities, with Alcaraz admitting, “How am I feeling? Dreadful,” after the Miami defeat. These inconsistencies, as Courier suggests, could pose challenges if Alcaraz faces tactical opponents like Opelka early on.
Despite these setbacks, Alcaraz’s clay-court pedigree is undeniable. His 12–1 record in five-set matches, the highest success rate in history at 92.3%, gives him an edge in Roland Garros’s demanding format. Courier believes Alcaraz’s creativity and athleticism make him a favorite, but stamina will be key in the tournament’s second week. “The question is if he gets into week two, does he have the legs and the stamina to stay in and make the right decisions?” Courier asked, emphasizing the need for Alcaraz to avoid “compromised choices” under pressure.
As Alcaraz prepares to face top rivals like Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Novak Djokovic, his mental fortitude and physical condition will be under scrutiny. With his team, led by coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and bolstered by new physiotherapist Fran Rubio, Alcaraz is poised to chase history. A second Roland Garros title would further solidify his legacy, but as Courier warns, the path is fraught with challenges that will test the young Spaniard’s resolve.