Archive June 3, 2025

French Open 2025

Location: Roland Garros, May 25 – June

Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning world no. 1, defeated Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen to reach the French Open semi-finals.

On a gloomy Court Phillippe Chatrier, Sabalenka defeated China’s Zheng 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 to claim her first Paris title.

The Belarusian, who arguably holds the title, had to recover from a set-record break but displayed all of her fighting prowess.

“That was a real battle,” Sabalenka said, “I have no idea how I was able to regain control of that first set.”

“I was prepared to leave everything on the court to win.”

Sabalenka’s improved serve and movement have paid off at Roland Garros, and she hasn’t given up on that feat.

French Open 2025

Location: Roland Garros, May 25 – June

Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning world no. 1, defeated Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen to reach the French Open semi-finals.

On a gloomy Court Phillippe Chatrier, Sabalenka defeated China’s Zheng 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 to claim her first Paris title.

The Belarusian, who arguably holds the title, had to recover from a set-record break but displayed all of her fighting prowess.

“That was a real battle,” Sabalenka said, “I have no idea how I was able to regain control of that first set.”

“I was prepared to leave everything on the court to win.”

Sabalenka’s improved serve and movement have paid off at Roland Garros, and she hasn’t given up on that feat.

When Jack Draper talked about missing an opportunity after his French Open defeat, he was not just referring to missing out on a quarter-final spot.

Britain’s world number five was also frustrated at not setting up a chance to test himself against the man he wants to catch – world number one Jannik Sinner.

Draper’s fourth-round loss to 62nd-ranked Alexander Bublik meant he missed out on a chance to try and avenge his US Open semi-final defeat by Italy’s Sinner.

It also offered a sharp reminder of how the 23-year-old Englishman still has to bridge the gap to Sinner and world number two Carlos Alcaraz at the Grand Slams.

“Draper is on the cusp – he has to keep doing what he’s doing,” British former world number four Greg Rusedski told BBC Sport.

“Jack has not had a full year where he has been healthy until now.

Over the past year, Draper has made monumental progress to become one of the most feared players on the ATP Tour.

His Grand Slam breakthrough came at the US Open and was backed up by runs to the last 16 of the Australian Open and now in Paris.

But Sinner, 23, and Alcaraz, 22, have a stranglehold on the majors, having won the past five Grand Slams between them.

The British number one conceded it was “really difficult” not to get the opportunity to assess his level over five sets against his good friend Sinner in Paris.

Draper has much less Grand Slam experience than the leading stars, while also having only 168 Tour-level matches under his belt compared to Sinner’s 356 and Alcaraz’s 300.

“I’m a long way behind those boys. I still have lots to learn,” Draper said.

“They’re probably a year or two years ahead of me and have obviously achieved a lot more.

“If you look at how many ATP matches they’ve played, they’ve played double the amount I have.

Draper was ranked 39th in the world at last year’s French Open and went out in the first round to Dutch qualifier and world number 176 Jesper de Jong.

His rise has been underpinned by winning Indian Wells – one of the biggest tournaments outside of the majors – and reaching the Madrid final, both ATP events played over three sets.

Better fitness has seen him climb the world rankings, and he could move to fourth after the French Open.

He has already leapfrogged American Taylor Fritz in the live rankings, although Roland Garros quarter-finalists Novak Djokovic, Lorenzo Musetti and Tommy Paul can still overhaul him.

“My level is getting better all the time, but it’s not just the tennis. It’s the consistency of what they’re doing,” Draper said of Sinner and Alcaraz.

“Even though I’ve been more consistent, it’s doing it when it matters, and these are the tournaments that matters.

Draper now turns his attentions to the grass-court season which, of course, culminates at Wimbledon.

He has the game to thrive on the grass – particularly with his potent first serve – but has yet to go beyond the second round in three appearances.

“The shorter, sharper points will suit him and the leftie serve – which has so much variety – helps him achieve that,” said former British women’s number one Annabel Croft.

“It swings out wide on the ad side, he can swing it into the body, the kick away from a right-hander is a nightmare – he’s got every kind of serve you can imagine.

Draper’s high seeding will also help his chances of a deep run.

The left-handed Englishman warmed up for Wimbledon last year by winning his first ATP title on the Stuttgart grass.

Draper does not intend to defend his title in Germany next week, instead planning to take a week off the match court and focus on practise, before playing at Queen’s Club.

“I’ll be happy to get on a faster surface and one I’m much more comfortable moving on,” said Draper.

It is the second time Draper arrives at Wimbledon as the British number one, but he will face even more scrutiny this time around.

Draper, who faced testing atmospheres against home favourites at the Australian Open and French Open this year, believes he will thrive with the crowd support behind him.

“Dealing with expectation when you’re playing well is quite easy because you use the crowd to fuel you,” Rusedski said.

“It’s when you’re not playing well, that’s what becomes difficult with pressure.

“You end up trying too hard and that never works work out well. You have to organically allow it to happen if you’re putting in the work, and Jack is doing that.”

Draper has struggled with anxiety in the biggest moments of his career and vomited on court during his New York semi-final against Sinner.

He sought advice from a breathing coach and now believes the sickness was not down to stress.

“I found out it was to do with the fact that I was taking lots of painkillers for an injury that I had. That wasn’t the anxiety,” he added.

When Jack Draper mentioned missing a chance following his French Open defeat, he was not just referring to missing out on a quarter-final spot.

Britain’s top five was angry that he had missed a chance to test himself against Jannik Sinner, the country’s top ranked individual.

Due to losing to 62nd-ranked Alexander Bublik in the fourth round, Draper was unable to avenge the semi-final defeat by Sinner from Italy.

The 23-year-old Englishman still has to make up the difference between Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the Grand Slams, which both served as sharp reminders of.

Former world number four Greg Rusedski, a member of the British Empire, stated to BBC Sport that “Draper is on the cusp of doing what he’s doing.”

“Jack hasn’t been in good health for a full year,” he said.

Draper has made significant progress over the past year, becoming one of the ATP Tour’s mostfeared players.

His Grand Slam triumphed at the US Open, and it was followed by victories in the final 16 of the Australian Open, which is now in Paris.

However, with the latter having won the last five Grand Slams together, Sinner, 23, and Alcaraz, 22, have a monopoly on the majors.

The British number one acknowledged that it was “extremely challenging” not to have the opportunity to evaluate his level against his good friend Sinner in Paris.

In contrast to Sinner’s 356 and Alcaraz’ 300, Draper has much less Grand Slam experience than the leading players. He also has only 168 Tour-level matches to his credit.

I’m far behind those boys, I tell them. “Draper said, “I still have a lot to learn.”

They are probably a year or two behind me, and they have undoubtedly accomplished much more.

They’ve played twice as many ATP matches as I have, according to one player.

Draper lost to Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong in the first round, who finished 39th overall at the French Open last year.

Both ATP matches played over three sets, where he has won one of the biggest tournaments outside of the majors, Indian Wells, and the Madrid final, both of which have helped him advance.

He is now in fourth place after the French Open, thanks to his improved fitness.

Although Novak Djokovic, Lorenzo Musetti, and Tommy Paul are Roland Garros quarter-finalists, he has already outpaced American Taylor Fritz in the live rankings.

My level is constantly improving, but it’s not just tennis. Draper referred to Sinner and Alcaraz as having the same level of consistency in what they’re doing.

Even though I’ve been more consistent, it’s still important to do it, and these tournaments are just that.

Draper now concentrates on the grass-court season, which, of course, culminates in Wimbledon.

In three appearances, he has yet to go beyond the second round, but he has the ability to thrive on grass, especially with his potent first serve.

Former British women’s number one Annabel Croft said, “The shorter, sharper points will suit him, and the leftie serve, which has so much variety, helps him achieve that.”

He can swing it into the body, and the kick from a right-hander is a nightmare because he has “every kind of serve you can imagine.”

Draper’s high seeding will increase his chances of a successful run.

The left-handed Englishman won his first ATP title on the Stuttgart grass last year, warming up for Wimbledon.

Next week, Draper plans to take a week off the court and concentrate on practice before playing at Queen’s Club, but he won’t be competing there.

“I’ll be happy to move on to a faster surface, and I’m much more comfortable moving on,” said Draper.

Draper will be subject to even more scrutiny this time around as the British number one. This is his second appearance at Wimbledon.

Draper, who faced challenging competition this year at the Australian Open and French Open, believes he will succeed with the support of the crowd.

Because you use the crowd to fuel you, Rusedski said, “It’s very simple to deal with expectation when you’re playing well.”

Pressure makes things difficult when you’re not playing well, not when you’re not.

“You end up trying too hard, and things never go well.” If you’re putting in the work, and Jack is doing it, you have to naturally allow it to happen.

Draper has struggled with anxiety during his best professional years, and he vomited on the court in the semi-final matchup against Sinner in New York.

He now concludes that his illness was not caused by stress and sought advice from a breathing coach.

“I was able to determine that my injury had something to do with the fact that I was taking a lot of painkillers. He continued, “That wasn’t the anxiety.”