Tennis, French Open 2025: Carlos Alcaraz begins Roland-Garros title defence against Nishikori Kei

Defending Roland-Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz will take on former US Open finalist Nishikori Kei in the first round of the 2025 French Open (25 May-8 June).

The Grand Slam main draw, which took place on Thursday (22 May), sees the Spanish men’s tennis world number two open his title defence against 35-year-old Nishikori, a three-time quarter-finalist in Paris and Olympic bronze medallist at Rio 2016.

This will be their first ATP meeting as Alcaraz sets his sights on back-to-back French Open crowns, which no male singles player has done since another Spaniard: Rafael Nadal.

In the WTA draw, reigning champion Iga Swiatek will face Rebecca Sramkova as she aims for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Roland-Garros title, not achieved in the women’s game for over a century.

Swiatek, who comes into this year’s tournament as the fifth seed, beat the Slovakian player in their inaugural meeting at the 2025 Australian Open. The four-time Roland Garros winner could face fellow US Open champion Emma Raducanu in a potential second-round matchup.

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