Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz launched the defence of their respective singles titles with straight sets victories as French star Caroline Garcia said goodbye to all that and Richard Gasquet decided to stick around for the big time.
Farewell Caroline
Just before the start of the 2025 French Open, the French star Caroline Garcia announced she would retire from the WTA circuit sometime before the end of the year thus making this year's tournament her last. The former world number four, who has been plagued by myriad injuries over the past few years, lost in straight sets to the American Bernarda Pera but stayed on centre court after her defeat to lap up the love and reciprocate. "I've always played with my emotions," she said to the roars of the crowd. Choking back the tears, she added: "I've been coming here for 16 years trying to win but I never did it." Laments aside, she did claim 11 singles titles during her career including the prestigious WTA end-of-season championships in 2022. She was a dab hand in the doubles too, lifting two French Open crowns with Kristina Mladenovic. "I've always been happy to play in front of the French crowds here at Roland Garros," she added. "And it will be engraved in my heart."
One more time
With such touchy-feely swirling around the grounds, it's just as well that Richard Gasquet from France beat compatriot Terence Atmane in four sets to reach the second round. The 38-year-old will retire when he loses and a big farewell has been programmed for centre court for a player who was tipped for the very top of the game before interlopers such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray rewrote the tale.
Writing on the wall
Richard Gasquet's second round opponent? World number one Jannik Sinner who dispatched the Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in straight sets in the night session match. "Obviously if I can play the world number one, it would be a fabulous thing," said Gasquet just before Sinner and Rinderknech went into battle. "It would be a beautiful draw for me. At the end of your career for your last match, you couldn't dream better than playing the world number one." Hang on, what about kinship and supporting the home boys and girls. "I'll be happy to play against Arthur," Gasquet added. "Because it would mean he won." Noblesse oblige. Diplomatic corps for Gasquet, then.
So what do you think about that Rafael Nadal?
After their first round matches, both Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz were quizzed about their feelings for a certain 14-time champion. Really? These are Rafael Nadal fan boy and fan girl incarnate. Just after moving into the second round at the expense of Rebecca Sramkova, Swiatek, who was in the centre court stands during the Day 1 homage to Nadal, said: "I just tried to keep it together. I knew the cameras would be on Carlos who was just behind me. When I saw Rafa cry, it showed us he is human." Alcaraz was just as gushing. "Well, Rafa has been my idol since the beginning of my career, for my interest in tennis," the 22-year-old Spaniard enthused. "For me, to be able to watch his last match here in Roland Garros last year and be able to be there for that farewell ... it was a really special day for everyone. It was a special moment for me. It was emotional."
Sinner hijacked
Pity poor Jannik Sinner. There he was politely answering Alex Corretja's questions on court after dispatching the local hero Arthur Rinderknech when Corretja goes rogue and ushers the Italian from the centre of the court over to the side to look at the plaque hailing Rafael Nadal's achievements. Summarily urged to talk, Sinner could have gone nominative determinist. But Jannik didn't panic and unfurled a slickness that will surely stand him in good stead for the rest of the tournament. "Rafa is a very special person," he asserted. "He has a great family and a new chapter is opening for him. The plaque is the least this court can do. We're lucky to still share the court with him. He is a role model."
