French Open 2025 draw: Carlos Alcaraz faces Kai Nishikori, Jannik Sinner drawn with Arthur Rinderknech, Novak Djokovic up against Mackenzie McDonald
By Will Conroy
Updated 22/05/2025 at 14:44 GMT+1
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Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faces Kai Nishikori in the first round of the 2025 French Open, as rival Jannik Sinner is drawn against Arthur Rinderknech. Three-time winner Novak Djokovic is up against American Mackenzie McDonald, while British hope Jack Draper faces Mattia Bellucci. The world No. 5 is in the same quarter of the draw as Sinner and the same half of the draw as Djokovic.
Fognini beaten in qualifying in final French Open appearance
Video credit: TNT Sports
Carlos Alcaraz will begin his French Open title defence against veteran Japanese player Kai Nishikori in the first round of the 2025 tournament at Roland-Garros.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who returned to action in last week's Italian Open following a three-month ban for doping, will take on Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in the opening round.
Three-time champion Novak Djokovic, who is now being coached by Dusan Vemic after recently parting company with Andy Murray, begins his French Open campaign against American Mackenzie McDonald.
Meanwhile, British No. 1 and world No. 5 Jack Draper will hope to win a match at Roland-Garros for the first time as he takes on Mattia Bellucci in the opening round.
World No. 4 Taylor Fritz will face Germany's Daniel Altmaier as he looks for his first title of the season.
Making up the top six seeds is world No. 3 Alexander Zverev, and it's another Germany-United States match-up as he meets Learner Tien for his opening game.
British No. 3 Cameron Norrie will take on Daniil Medvedev in round one.
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Highlights: Alcaraz beats Sinner in Italian Open final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Draper in Sinner's quarter of the draw
Draper has enjoyed an impressive build-up to Roland-Garros, having reached the final of the Madrid Open before progressing into the last eight at the Italian Open.
However, he could face world No. 1 Sinner in the last eight after being placed in the same quarter of the draw as the Italian, who is hunting his first French Open title.
Despite his three months away from competitive action, Sinner showed no signs of rustiness in Rome, dropping just one set on his way to the final.
Joining Draper and Sinner in the top half of the draw are Djokovic and Zverev, who could potentially face off in the quarter-finals.
Alcaraz, who is placed in the bottom half of the draw, could potentially face world No. 7 and Madrid Open winner Casper Ruud in the last eight of the tournament.
The Spaniard will come into the tournament with a great deal of confidence, having triumphed at the Italian Open, beating Sinner in straight sets in the final to end the Italian's 26-match winning streak.
It was the 22-year-old's second title on clay this season after claiming victory at the Monte Carlo Open in April.
The defending champion's half of the draw also contains world No. 8 Lorenzo Musetti and Fritz, who would meet in the quarter-finals if results went according to ranking.
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