Will Iga Swiatek’s passion for Roland Garros overcome her dip in form?
At Roland Garros, victory often belongs to those who persist through the toughest trials. That sentiment, immortalized on Court Philippe-Chatrier, has long been associated with Rafael Nadal. In 2022, Nadal defied all odds. Despite missing Monte Carlo and Barcelona due to a rib injury and exiting Madrid and Rome early due to lingering foot issues, he fought back in Paris to lift what would be his final French Open trophy. His deep love for Roland Garros drove him beyond physical pain.
Now, Iga Swiatek, a three-time Roland Garros champion, finds herself in a similar dilemma. After dominating the clay courts from 2021 to 2024, including a historic three-peat, Swiatek enters the 2025 French Open in her weakest form yet. Once hailed as the “Queen of Clay,” she now faces a stern challenge to reclaim that crown.
Swiatek has had a tough 2025 season. She has yet to lift a trophy and recently fell out of the WTA top four rankings for the first time in four years. The clay season that once was her fortress brought no solace—she lost to Jelena Ostapenko in Stuttgart, Coco Gauff in Madrid, and suffered a shock early defeat to Danielle Collins in Rome. Roland Garros 2025 marks the first time in years she enters without the favourite tag.
But as Nadal once proved, form doesn’t always define destiny in Paris. The Roland Garros courts demand heart, resilience, and deep understanding—qualities Swiatek possesses in abundance. The 23-year-old must now draw from Nadal’s 2022 playbook: trust her instincts, lean on her experience, and let her love for the tournament guide her.
Yet, she faces a daunting path. She may encounter Emma Raducanu in the second round, Marta Kostyuk in the third, and possibly Elina Rybakina or Ostapenko—both unbeaten against her—in the fourth. Jasmine Paolini, the newly crowned Rome champion, could block her in the quarterfinals, while world number one Aryna Sabalenka may be her semifinal hurdle.
If Swiatek can navigate this early minefield, she might flip the script entirely and re-establish herself as the clay court queen.
Sabalenka or Gauff—Is this the year for a new champion in Paris?
Swiatek’s slip in form has turned the spotlight on two in-form challengers—Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff.
Sabalenka has enjoyed a consistent clay season, reaching the Stuttgart final and clinching the Madrid title after defeating Gauff. However, an unexpected quarterfinal loss to Zheng Qinwen in Rome revealed occasional lapses in composure. With a 16-7 Roland Garros record and a favourable early draw, she’s a solid contender to reach her first final in Paris.
Coco Gauff, the 2022 finalist, also enters as a serious threat. Although her clay performances have fluctuated, she captured the Rome title with notable wins over Swiatek and Mirra Andreeva. Despite issues with her serve and unforced errors, Gauff has shown resilience. She must stay sharp in the fourth round against 2021 champion Barbora Krejcikova, with Madison Keys looming in the quarterfinals.
Prediction:
Sabalenka is projected to defeat Paolini in the semifinal, while Gauff is likely to outlast Andreeva. In the final, Sabalenka’s experience and current form could give her the edge to win her maiden Roland Garros title.
