Geneva, 20 May 2025 – Weeks of intense competition on the clay reaches a crescendo, as the tennis world descends on Roland-Garros from Sunday 25 May to Sunday 8 June. Throughout the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, Madrid, Rome, and beyond, the European clay-court season has encouraged players to adapt their movement and tactics to this demanding, slow-paced surface. Among those striving for clay-court supremacy in Paris next week will be the reigning singles champions and Rolex Testimonees Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz.
Last year’s journey to the crown was perhaps Swiatek’s most challenging to date. The Pole staged a spectacular comeback in the second round, saving a match point at 5–2 down in the third set, before triumphing and going on to lift the Suzanne-Lenglen Trophy for a fourth time. Swiatek says:
“Even though I won that match, afterwards I cried for 15 minutes. I really thought I was out of the tournament and it kind of broke my heart. This was the most meaningful title of my career because of how close I came to losing.”
The 23-year-old arrives in the French capital aiming to reproduce the impressive form that has made her look so at home on the tournament’s main arena, Court Philippe-Chatrier. Reflecting on what this court means to her, Swiatek adds:
“The sound of the ball on Philippe-Chatrier is just different for me. It feels more like I’m inside a church of tennis and it’s just special. When I think about the emotions I feel when the crowd is cheering and I’m lifting the trophy, it’s amazing, and it’s something every athlete works hard for. It’s our biggest motivation.”
Few styles of play have suited the red clay more than Swiatek’s and that of her fellow Rolex Testimonee, Chris Evert. The latter won seven of her 18 women’s Grand Slam® singles titles at Roland-Garros – a record that stands today. Fittingly, the American tennis legend presented Swiatek with the trophy last June on the same court where she first tasted Grand Slam® glory in 1974. Reflecting on this memorable moment, Evert says:
“I remember thinking there’s no doubt in my mind that Iga can pass me. She is the perfect clay-court player. I was very excited to present this trophy to her because I felt like I had always related to her quietly, her style of game, her mentality and her love of clay.”
On being part of the Rolex family together, Evert adds:
“I feel very honoured seeing myself alongside top names like Iga’s and part of a group of people that also includes sporting icons like Rod Laver, Arnold Palmer and Roger Federer. Rolex is choosing athletes who have longevity, who are reliable and consistent. I love that we still see the clocks at tournaments like Wimbledon and Roland-Garros today.”
Rolex became Official Timekeeper of Roland-Garros in 2019, reinforcing its long-standing association with tennis dating back almost half a century. During this time, many players have made their mark in sporting history with Rolex by their side. Alcaraz will be joined in the men’s singles draw by the 2025 Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner, along with a quartet seeking a maiden Roland-Garros title, namely Holger Rune, Stéfanos Tsitsipás, Ben Shelton and João Fonseca. Alcaraz, a Rolex Testimonee with four Grand Slam® titles to his name, says:
“I’m really grateful to have the team I have and the people I have around me. I know everyone is giving their heart just to make me improve as a player and as a person. It means a lot to represent my country, at every tournament and in every part of the world where I compete.”
On the women’s side, 2024 doubles champion Coco Gauff and the teen sensation Mirra Andreeva will be looking to improve on their runs to the singles semi-finals last year. Competing alongside them are Caroline Garcia and Qinwen Zheng, both of whom have fond memories of Paris, having achieved some of the greatest moments of their careers at Stade Roland-Garros.
