Thu May 22 17:50:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The 2024 French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year, will take place at Roland Garros from May 25th to June 8th. While Rafael Nadal won’t be competing, star players like Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, and Jannik Sinner will be vying for the title. Alcaraz is the defending men’s singles champion, while Swiatek is the three-time defending women’s champion. The total prize money has increased to 56.352 million euros. The BBC will provide comprehensive coverage through live radio and text commentaries. Notable British players participating include Jack Draper, Katie Boulter, and Emma Raducanu.

**News Article:**

**Alcaraz Seeks to Defend French Open Crown as Tournament Gets Underway**

Paris, France – The 2024 French Open at Roland Garros kicks off on Sunday, May 25th, running through June 8th, promising two weeks of thrilling clay-court action. While the tournament will be without the legendary Rafael Nadal, who retired in 2024, the field remains packed with talent.

Defending men’s singles champion Carlos Alcaraz will face tough competition from world number one Jannik Sinner and three-time champion Novak Djokovic, who is seeking his 25th Grand Slam title. Alexander Zverev, last year’s runner-up, and Casper Ruud are also expected to be contenders.

In the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek aims for a fourth consecutive title and fifth in six years. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, both in strong form this season, pose significant threats. Other players to watch include Jasmine Paolini and teenager Mirra Andreeva.

British hopes rest on Jack Draper, the highest-seeded Brit in either draw, and Katie Boulter, the top-ranked British woman. Emma Raducanu also joins the field.

The total prize money for the tournament is 56.352 million euros, with the singles champions each receiving 2.55 million euros.

The BBC will provide extensive coverage of the French Open, with live radio commentaries on 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, as well as live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app. Tennis fans can look forward to in-depth analysis from a team of experts, bringing all the excitement from Roland Garros directly to audiences.

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