Tennis Stars Compete on Day One of Roland-Garros 2025

PARIS, France — Day one of the 2025 Roland-Garros tournament kicked off with thrilling matches and notable performances. Naomi Osaka, facing Paula Badosa, felt more prepared this year after gaining valuable experience under coach Patrick Mouratoglou. “I think the decision [to play at a lower level the previous week] was tough, but I’m happy with the outcome,” said Osaka after her victory.

Iga Swiatek also returned to Court Philippe-Chatrier, where she once reigned as world No. 1. After a strong 2022 season, confidence has been an issue for her. “I want to be more positive about what I’m doing and not focus too much on the mistakes,” Swiatek stated before her match against Rebecca Sramkova.

Emma Raducanu, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, stepped onto the court as well, facing Wang Xinyu. Raducanu noted the challenges of playing on clay. “It’s not my favorite surface, but I reached the fourth round in Rome this year, so I’m ready to fight,” she said.

In the men’s division, Casper Ruud, a two-time Roland-Garros finalist, is back and ready to compete against Albert Ramos-Vinolas, who is retiring this season. Ruud’s performance last year was stellar, but he aims to bounce back from a tough quarter-final in Rome.

The tournament started with an emotional tribute to Rafael Nadal, honoring his incredible legacy in tennis. Fans flocked to see him as he received applause from about 15,000 spectators. Nadal’s career achievements were celebrated, with fellow players and legends like Roger Federer expressing their admiration.

As play continued into the night, American Ben Shelton engaged in a hard-fought battle with Lorenzo Sonego, which lasted until just past midnight, while other matches kept audiences on the edge of their seats. With exciting matches already underway, the momentum of Roland-Garros 2025 looks promising for tennis fans around the world.