The 2025 French Open kicked off in style at Roland Garros as defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek cruised through their opening rounds on Monday. On the same clay courts where Rafael Nadal built his empire, an emotional farewell ceremony for the 22-time Grand Slam winner resonated with fans and players alike.
Alcaraz, the reigning men’s champion, began his title defense with a commanding 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri. The 22-year-old Spaniard reflected on Nadal’s send-off: “Rafa has been my idol since the beginning… To watch his last match here and be part of his ceremony was a special moment for me.”
The World No. 2 now turns his focus to Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in the next round, hoping to keep his momentum alive in what promises to be a wide-open draw.
On the women’s side, World No. 1 Swiatek looked in top form as she advanced with a straight-sets win, sending a clear message that she’s ready to defend her crown. With history in the making and new stars emerging, all eyes are on these young champions as they chase back-to-back titles.
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Alcaraz, Swiatek launch title defenses amid emotional Nadal farewell
cgtn.com
