French Open 2025: Three players set to renew personal connections with the famous clay courts

A return to the scene of much sporting drama from Paris 2024, then, as Roland Garros prepares to host the 124th edition of the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the tennis season.

The main draw of the 2025 French Open (25 May-8 June) starts with some scorching head-to-heads, even in the first round.

Mouth-watering prospects include defending men's champion, and Olympic silver medallist, Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) taking on the three-time quarter-finalist on the red clay and Rio 2016 bronze winner, Kei Nishikori (JPN).

In the women's draw, another Spain versus Japan combat sees Paula Badosa embark on a re-match with Naomi Osaka, after their first head-to-head was abandoned at the Italian Open a fortnight earlier due to Badosa withdrawing in the round of 64 with a niggling injury.

But some players return to the famous slip-slidy surface with a particular emotional connection to the courts of the Stade Roland Garros complex.

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