Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and 2023 US Open champion, enters the 2025 French Open as a top contender for her second Major singles title, carrying momentum from a strong clay season and a favorable draw, but facing significant challenges, notably from Iga Świątek and Barbora Krejčíková. Gauff, who reached the Roland Garros singles final in 2022 and won the doubles title in 2024 with Katerina Siniaková, told Roland-Garros.com on March 12, 2025, “I have unfinished business at Roland-Garros,” emphasizing her ambition to claim the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen. Her 2025 clay campaign included finals in Madrid and Rome, though she lost to Aryna Sabalenka (6-4, 6-4) and Jasmine Paolini (6-4, 6-2), respectively, marking a 0-3 finals record this year, per Sports Illustrated. Despite a title drought since the 2024 WTA Finals, Gauff’s 24-8 clay record and confidence—“I’m proud of how I performed on clay this year”—signal her readiness.
Gauff’s draw, starting May 25, 2025, begins against Australia’s Olivia Gadecki, with potential clashes against Anna Kalinskaya in the third round and Krejčíková, whom Andy Roddick dubbed the “Novak of this draw” on his *Served* podcast, in the fourth, per EssentiallySports. Krejčíková, the 2021 Roland Garros champion, holds a 2-0 head-to-head edge, including a 2021 French Open quarterfinal win (7-6(6), 6-3). A projected quarterfinal against Madison Keys or Emma Navarro could test her, while Świątek, the three-time defending champion with an 11-4 record over Gauff, looms as a potential final opponent. Gauff’s double-fault issues—42 at the Italian Open—and forehand errors (33 against Paolini in Rome) remain vulnerabilities, as noted by SportsTak. However, her refined net play, drop shots, and topspin-heavy game, coached by Matt Daly since September 2024, suit clay’s demands.
Fans on X, like @gavinnightmair, see Gauff as a favorite to go deep, given the top half’s tougher competition, including Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. Roddick warned that Świątek’s psychological edge and clay mastery could derail Gauff, but her recent United Cup win over Świątek (6-3, 6-4) offers hope. Gauff’s clay pedigree—19 Parisian singles wins before age 21, second only to Świątek’s 22 among active players—positions her well, per Roland-Garros.com. To win, she must overcome her 0-3 record in 2025 finals and harness her athleticism and mental resilience, as she did in her 2023 US Open triumph.[]
