The 2025 French Open is underway at Roland Garros, with British star Emma Raducanu raising concerns about her fitness and Novak Djokovic delivering an emotional reflection on Rafael Nadal’s retirement. As the clay-court Grand Slam unfolds, both players are navigating personal challenges while aiming to make their mark in Paris.
Emma Raducanu’s Worrying Injury Update
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has cast doubt on her French Open campaign after revealing she’s still managing a recurring back spasm ahead of her first-round match against China’s Wang Xinyu on Court 8 at 10 a.m. BST on May 26, 2025. The injury, which first surfaced during her loss to Danielle Collins at the Strasbourg Open, has left her “not feeling 100%,” she told BBC Sport. “I had a spasm in Strasbourg and have been trying to manage it as best I can with treatment,” Raducanu said, noting she’s using dry needling and heat therapy to cope, despite her fear of needles. “It feels okay, not 100% yet, but we’re working towards that.”
Raducanu, ranked world No. 43, practiced in Paris on Sunday and felt encouraged, but cautioned, “It’s different playing a match.” The back issue, similar to one before the 2025 Australian Open, is exacerbated by clay’s demanding rallies and high-bouncing balls, which strain her lower back. Despite her solid 2025 clay season, including a fourth-round run at the Italian Open and a win over Daria Kasatkina in Strasbourg, the injury threatens her performance against Wang, whom she lost to in their only prior meeting in 2021. A potential second-round clash with four-time champion Iga Swiatek looms if she advances. Raducanu remains optimistic, stating, “I’m trying to do everything to get up to speed as fast as possible,” but her participation hinges on her body holding up.
Novak Djokovic’s Emotional Reflection
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, the sixth seed and three-time French Open champion, became visibly emotional when discussing Rafael Nadal’s retirement during a press conference after his first-round win over Mackenzie McDonald (6-3, 6-4, 6-2) on May 26, 2025. Nadal, the 14-time Roland Garros champion, announced his retirement in 2024, and Djokovic, who turned 38 on May 22, shared how deeply it affected him. “Rafa’s absence leaves a void,” Djokovic said, his voice breaking. “We’ve had some fantastic battles here, and knowing this might be his last time on this court hits hard. He’s the heart of Roland Garros.”
Djokovic, who recently ended his coaching partnership with Andy Murray, also reflected on their brief collaboration, saying, “My respect for Andy grew even more. He has a brilliant tennis IQ, but we felt we couldn’t get more out of it on the court.” Now working without a full-time coach, Djokovic is comfortable with his current team as he chases a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. His next opponent is either Matteo Arnaldi or a qualifier, with a potential quarterfinal against Alexander Zverev. Despite a challenging clay season with no titles, Djokovic’s straight-sets victory signals his intent to rebound, though he faces a tough draw with Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev in his quarter.
Context and Connections
Raducanu’s injury concerns echo her cautious approach to the French Open, where she’s prioritized more clay-court matches this year, a shift from her past routines. Her outreach to Murray for advice, following their 2024 Wimbledon mixed doubles fallout, adds a layer of personal stakes as she navigates her career pressures. Similarly, Djokovic’s emotional tribute to Nadal underscores the changing guard in tennis, with both players linked to the sport’s recent retirements and transitions. As Raducanu fights her physical battles and Djokovic grapples with emotional and competitive challenges, their stories intertwine with the broader French Open narrative, where players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are favored to dominate.
The action continues on Day 2, with Raducanu’s match against Wang and other British players like Katie Boulter and Jacob Fearnley in focus, while Djokovic’s emotional resolve sets the stage for a compelling tournament.
