RG25: The calm before the storm

Last year’s qualifying week was an immense success. Dominic Thiem and Diego Schwartzman bid adieu to Paris in front of colossal crowds on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. Roland-Garros, more than ever, is a three-week event as world-class qualifiers take centre stage in a competition that will inevitably create career-defining moments. 

Twenty years ago, Novak Djokovic qualified and played his first Roland-Garros main draw. Could the next great champion be entered in this year’s qualifying draw?

Many hopefuls were already starting to congregate on a sunny Sunday morning. The air heavy with anticipation, the sun peeking out from behind the clouds. 

On Court Philippe-Chatrier world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, clad in black tights and top, is conducting an intense session with hitting partner Sergey Demekhine.

The three-time major champion is in Paris earlier than usual, after a quarterfinal loss to Zheng Qinwen in Rome. There are moments of lightness, but for the most part Sabalenka is dead serious about her practice. The three-time major champion relentlessly tattoos crosscourt forehands until she is about to drop – look out competition, Aryna’s in no mood for fooling around. 

Taking leave, this reporter heads east: direction, Court Simonne-Mathieu – but first a trip down memory lane in the Place des Mousquetaires. 

Quiet afternoons like these are perfect for reflecting on the history of our sport, and the indelible contribution that the French have made to it. The RG-themed chaise lounges in the square are ready to be occupied, but today they sit mostly empty among those breathtaking sculptures of the legendary Four Musketeers. My personal favourite is the one of four-time Grand Slam champion Jean Borotra. His right arm is outstretched as he hits a smash, his racquet pointing at the sun. It’s an impossible position to be in, and yet he does it with style – French flair. 

Then there is the icon René Lacoste, stylishly preparing to hit a backhand slice. 100 years ago, Lacoste was busy winning his first of three Roland-Garros titles. Today his vision still lifts our sport, and legends like Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev wear the iconic gear that bears his name. 

After communing with the ghosts of tennis past, we encounter one of the present: Bernard Tomic! The 32-year-old Aussie, ranked No.231, is getting ready to practice on Court 8 with promising Mexican talent Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez. 

The journey – through time and the grounds – continues. 

Walking past the Jardin des Poétes and over to Court Simone-Mathieu, the complete silence makes one think about how bustling this corner of the grounds will be in a few days’ time. Alycia Parks hits with her coach Jeremy Chardy, and later in the day former quarterfinalist Fabio Fognini will be here, preparing for what will be his last appearance on the terre battue of Paris. 

Forza, Fabio!

Meanwhile, the frantic build-up around the site continues. The tournament’s impressive infrastructure is fast coming together. Forklifts are lifting, workers are scurrying about and putting a final polish on the place before the fans take it over. 

Next, a must… a quick visit to the Nadal statue, the awe-inspiring steel structure that freezes the body of the tournament’s greatest champion in time. Here is Nadal in all his fierce glory, perpetually suspended in midair like something from a dream. A week from now fans will make their pilgrimage to this statue and be driven to tears, as they pay homage to the King of Clay as he is honoured on Day 1 of main draw play. 

The more we look at the statue, the more we can appreciate the finer details and workmanship of Jordi Díez Fernandez’s epic sculpture. Around the statue, scores of Nadal’s 14 final triumphs are etched into the glass. Who will be this year’s champions? And will they be legendary enough to one day be consecrated in this manner? We can only wonder, and hope. 

The day drifts along peacefully. Smiles are everywhere, and the anticipation is intoxicating. At 2pm the men’s and women’s qualifying draws are released as practice courts fill with ambitious players. Cristian Garin, Linda Fruhvirtova, Borna Coric, Taylor Townsend, Albert Ramos-Vinolas and many others, all angling to write their own chapters into the Parisian clay. 

Soon it begins...

Get your tickets now!

The Roland-Garros 2025 Opening Week is shaping up to be particularly exciting! Tickets are still available to come and support the future stars of the circuit and watch training sessions with the biggest names on the WTA and ATP Tours.

Click HERE to buy your tickets on the official Roland-Garros 2025 ticketing website