Temperatures reached around 33 degrees Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) on Monday at Roland Garros, with forecasts indicating the heat could continue through the first week of the Grand Slam tournament.

Several players, including Iga Swiatek and Daria Kasatkina, said the unusually hot weather had affected the pace of play and court behavior during first-round matches.

Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion, defeated Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2 in the women’s singles first round on Monday while adapting to faster clay-court conditions created by the heat.

Players Adjust to Faster Clay Conditions

The hotter weather has made the clay courts play quicker than usual for the Paris tournament, traditionally known for slower rallies and longer exchanges.

“It is much different,” Swiatek said after her opening-round victory, noting comparisons to the heat experienced during the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Kasatkina, who beat Zeynep Sonmez 6-4, 6-4, said maintaining concentration in the heat had become an additional challenge during matches.

Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur said the warmer conditions suited his aggressive style after defeating Toby Samuel in straight sets during the men’s singles draw.

Players were seen using ice packs and cold towels during changeovers as temperatures climbed across the tournament grounds.

Fans Seek Relief Around Tournament Grounds

Spectators also struggled with the heat during daytime sessions at Roland Garros.

Fans gathered near sprinklers and misting areas throughout the venue, while court maintenance crews occasionally sprayed water toward spectators seeking relief between sets.

Tournament organizers continued regular court watering procedures to maintain the clay surfaces as dry weather intensified conditions on the courts.

The French Open is typically played in cooler spring conditions compared with the Australian Open and the US Open, where extreme heat protocols are more commonly used.

Tournament Continues Amid Forecasted Heat

The opening rounds continued this week despite concerns over prolonged high temperatures in Paris.

Organizers have not announced major scheduling changes, although players and teams are expected to continue taking additional cooling measures during matches.

The tournament will proceed with first-round and second-round matches throughout the week as players compete for spots in the later stages of the clay-court Grand Slam.

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Date: Saturday, June 8
Time: 14:00 BST
Venue: Court Philippe Chatrier, Roland Garros

For the first time in seven years, the world’s top two women’s tennis players will battle it out in a Grand Slam final—and it’s all going down in Paris.

Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka will face off in the 2025 French Open women’s singles final, both eyeing their first-ever Roland Garros crown and a whopping €2.5 million (£2.1 million) in prize money, plus 2,000 ranking points.

A Rivalry Ready for a New Chapter

Their head-to-head is dead even: five wins each from ten previous matchups. They’ve split major wins too—Gauff beat Sabalenka in last year’s US Open final, while Sabalenka got her revenge in the 2024 Australian Open semi-final. On clay, it’s one apiece again, but Sabalenka holds the recent upper hand with a dominant victory in the Madrid final this May.

With both women dropping just one set en route to Saturday’s final, fans can expect an electrifying showdown that could easily go the distance.

Coco Gauff: Young, Hungry, and Historic

At just 21, Coco Gauff is rewriting records. Already a Grand Slam champion from her 2023 US Open win, she’s now the youngest woman to reach the finals at Madrid, Rome, and the French Open all in the same season.

Her path to the final included a composed win over French wildcard Lois Boisson, despite a partisan crowd. And now, Gauff finds herself back in the Roland Garros final—three years after finishing runner-up here.

She knows the challenge ahead.

“She’s going to come out aggressive, she’s going to come out swinging,” Gauff said of Sabalenka.
“I think I just have to expect that and do my best to kind of counter that.
Anything can happen on Saturday. I’m looking forward to it.”

Gauff’s serve consistency and ability to extend rallies will be key, especially as she leads the tournament in break point conversions (40).

Aryna Sabalenka: The Powerhouse Chasing Clay Glory

While Sabalenka has already captured three major titles, all have come on hard courts. Clay has never been her comfort zone—until now.

In the semis, she stunned four-time champion Iga Swiatek, snapping the Pole’s 26-match winning streak in Paris and proving she’s not just a power player, but a strategic threat on any surface.

This is Sabalenka’s third consecutive Grand Slam final, a feat not achieved since Serena Williams in 2016. She’s been on fire this season, reaching seven finals in ten tournaments and racking up 40 wins in 46 matches—the most on tour.

“It’s going to mean everything to me and my team,” Sabalenka said when asked about possibly winning her first French Open title.
“Almost my whole life I’ve been told clay is not my thing. If I’m able to get this trophy, it’s going to mean the world to us.”

What to Expect on Court

• Sabalenka’s game plan: Come out swinging, keep rallies short, and dominate with her explosive hitting.
• Gauff’s strategy: Defend deep, extend rallies, and stay solid on serve.
• The wildcard: Both players have shown they can handle pressure and adapt—who executes better on the day could make all the difference.

Bonus Action: British Eyes on the Men’s Doubles Final

Later on Saturday, it’s a big day for British tennis too. Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski team up to take on Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos in the men’s doubles final.

One final. Two stars. Everything on the line.
Paris is ready—are you?

Source: BBC – Gauff and Sabalenka face off in French Open final

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PARIS — Jannik Sinner has done it. The world No. 1 took down tennis legend Novak Djokovic in straight sets—6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (3)—in Friday’s French Open semifinal, setting up a highly anticipated final against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.

Sinner Surges Into His First Roland-Garros Final

Sinner, who has been flawless throughout the tournament, has yet to drop a single set at Roland-Garros this year. With this latest victory, he becomes only the second Italian man in the Open Era to reach the French Open final, joining 1976 champion Adriano Panatta.

He’s also riding a 20-match Grand Slam win streak, having previously captured titles at both the U.S. Open and Australian Open.

“These are rare and special moments,” Sinner said, visibly emotional. “I had to play the best tennis I could.”

And he did.

From start to finish, Sinner kept Djokovic pinned behind the baseline, dictating rallies with precise groundstrokes and unrelenting power. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, struggled to find an opening. He described feeling “constantly under pressure,” crediting Sinner’s consistency and court positioning.

“That’s why he’s No. 1 in the world,” Djokovic said. “I wish him the best for the final.”

A Final That Feels Like Destiny: Sinner vs. Alcaraz

The final will pit the top-ranked Sinner against Carlos Alcaraz—the man who beat him in their last four meetings and leads their head-to-head series 7-4. Alcaraz, the reigning champion, advanced after opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired during the semifinal with a leg injury.

Alcaraz was leading 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-0, 2-0 when Musetti, clearly hampered by a left leg issue, could no longer continue. The two embraced at the net in a show of sportsmanship.

“It’s not great to win a match like this,” Alcaraz said. “Lorenzo is a great player. I wish him all the best.”

Despite a brief moment of frustration in the second set—at one point kicking his bench in anger—Alcaraz looked sharp, confident, and physically ready heading into Sunday’s final.

“Really good,” he said about his condition. “It’s been three intense weeks but I’m feeling great. I have a lot of confidence right now.”

Djokovic’s Emotional Exit and Possible Farewell?

After the loss, Djokovic lingered on the clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier. He kissed his hand, touched the surface, and appeared to bid farewell to a venue where he’s made so much history. This might have been his last match at Roland-Garros.

If so, it was a fitting send-off—with a crowd chanting his name and a dramatic, hard-fought match against a rising star.

“He gave me a warm embrace at the net,” Sinner recalled. “It was a special moment.”

Despite his defeat, Djokovic made history simply by appearing in this match—he was bidding for a record-extending 38th Grand Slam final and his eighth French Open final. But this time, he was outplayed.

Musetti’s Injury Halts His Run

As for Musetti, the 22-year-old’s hopes were dashed by a leg injury that emerged early in the third set. Down 5-0 in just 16 minutes, he called for the trainer and eventually had to retire two games into the fourth.

“I started losing strength in my left leg,” Musetti explained. “Tomorrow I’ll get scans done.”

Still, it was a strong run for the young Italian, who reached only his second Grand Slam semifinal after Wimbledon last year.

What’s at Stake in the Final

Both Sinner and Alcaraz are chasing history. Sinner is eyeing his fourth major title, while Alcaraz could claim his fifth.

They’re the top two players in the world right now, and Sunday’s final is shaping up to be nothing short of electric.

“The stage,” Sinner said, “doesn’t get any bigger.”

Source: AP Photo – French Open: Sinner beats Djokovic to set up final against defending champion Alcaraz

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