Veteran tennis coach Rick Macci, who helped shape the legendary careers of Serena and Venus Williams, has revealed his bold predictions for the French Open 2025 — backing Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek to lift the coveted singles titles in Paris.
While many experts are tipping ATP World No.1 Jannik Sinner and WTA No.1 Aryna Sabalenka to triumph at Roland Garros, Macci has chosen to go against the tide. Sharing his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), the American coach called Alcaraz his favorite to win the men’s title.
“Alcaraz is my pick to win the French. The key for the Magician is to play with measured aggression every session. He has to win with legs and more air mail, then he can nail. When he offers gifts, others he lifts. When they believe, they will achieve,” Macci posted.
Macci’s poetic endorsement reflects his belief in Alcaraz’s dynamic game and ability to excel on clay. The 21-year-old Spaniard heads into Roland Garros on a high, having recently defeated Sinner in the final of the Italian Open — a major confidence boost ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year.
For the women’s singles title, Macci threw his support behind Iga Swiatek, a three-time French Open champion, even though the Polish star has not been at her dominant best in recent months.
“My pick against all odds to win the French is IGA. Her game and career are at a dangerous crossroads. She has been so rock-solid mentally, and now there are cracks. Sometimes when you lose the BIG C [confidence] and the verbal darts begin to stack, it triggers your championship DNA to come back,” he noted in another post.
Swiatek’s recent losses — including a quarter-final exit at the Stuttgart Open to Jelena Ostapenko and a semi-final defeat to Coco Gauff in Madrid — have cast doubts on her title chances this year. But Macci believes adversity could be the catalyst for her resurgence.
Despite being the current World No.1, Sabalenka has emerged as a strong contender, especially after her consistent hard-court performances and improved clay-court form. However, Macci’s insight suggests that experience and mental toughness in Paris might give Swiatek the edge.
With both Alcaraz and Swiatek aiming to reclaim their dominance on the red clay, Macci’s picks have sparked lively debate in the tennis world. Whether his predictions will prove prophetic remains to be seen, but the French Open 2025 promises plenty of drama, brilliance, and possibly, a few surprises.
