The 2025 Rome Open has come to an end with Carlos Alcaraz lifting the trophy at the Foro Italico. Two weeks of high-level competition concluded with plenty of storylines to unpack. Local fans celebrated the return of world no. 1 Jannik Sinner following his suspension, as well as the continued rise of Lorenzo Musetti. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev fell short once again and will surrender his no. 2 spot against the brand new champion.
The last clay-court Masters 1000 event before Roland Garros has crowned a new champion. And with just a handful of days before the second Grand Slam of the year, several players leave the Eternal City feeling optimistic about their chances in Paris.
Players like Lorenzo Musetti capped off a strong clay swing; Tommy Paul confirmed his status as the top American on this surface; while Daniil Medvedev extended his title drought and Alex de Minaur failed to maintain the form he showed early in the clay season.
The Spaniard claimed the title in the Italian capital after a week of brilliant tennis. In the final against Sinner, he once again showed why he's the man to beat on clay, playing with composure, choosing the right moments to attack and staying calm under pressure. With the win, he improved his head-to-head record against the world no.1 to 7-4, proving he can challenge Sinner like no one else right now.
Despite falling in the final, the Italian's return to action exceeded expectations. While he showed some signs of rust—particularly in his movement over the last two matches—his performance was still impressive after a three-month break. If the draw is favorable, Sinner will be a serious contender at Roland Garros.
Currently Italy’s second-best player, Musetti wrapped up an outstanding clay season that surpassed all forecasts. With a Masters 1000 final in Monte Carlo and semifinals in both Madrid and Rome, he’s clearly on the rise. There’s room for growth, and he could be a dark horse in Paris.
The American reached the semifinals in Rome for the second straight year and gave the World No. 1 a real scare. His energy, foot speed, and baseline consistency make him well-suited for clay. He now leads the U.S. contingent heading into Roland Garros and could make a deep run.
The German once again underwhelmed in a major event, despite winning the title in Munich. He was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Musetti, showing visible frustration and leaving a poor overall impression. Zverev has the game for clay, but if he wants that elusive Grand Slam, it’s time to stop making excuses and deliver.
Although his level has improved since Madrid, Medvedev remains winless in big moments. He was ousted early in Rome by a red-hot Musetti and is still struggling to assert himself on clay. His first serve remains a concern, and until he adds more pressure on opponents, deep runs will be hard to come by.
One of the most consistent clay-courters on tour, Ruud suffered a reality check with a heavy defeat to Sinner. He remains a solid specialist, but still looks a step below the true title contenders.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!