Jim Courier Weighs In: Świątek Reaching French Open Final More Likely Than Djokovic Making Second Week
Jim Courier Weighs In: Świątek Reaching French Open Final More Likely Than Djokovic Making Second Week
Former world No. 1 and tennis analyst Jim Courier has weighed in on one of the most intriguing debates ahead of Roland Garros 2025: which is more likely to happen—Iga Świątek reaching the final, or Novak Djokovic surviving into the second week?
Speaking on Tennis Channel’s pre-French Open coverage, Courier leaned confidently toward Świątek, the dominant force on clay and three-time Roland Garros champion, as the safer bet.
“Iga has practically owned the clay in Paris over the past few years,” Courier explained. “Her movement, her topspin-heavy game—it’s tailor-made for this surface. Barring injury or a complete off-day, you expect to see her deep in the second week, if not the final itself.”
Świątek, the current world No. 1, enters Roland Garros with back-to-back titles in Stuttgart and Madrid and is the heavy favorite to defend her crown. She has reached at least the semifinals in each of her last four appearances in Paris, winning the title in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic’s form has been a cause for concern heading into the second Grand Slam of the year. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has struggled with inconsistency, early-round losses, and lingering physical issues in 2025. As Courier pointed out, the Serb hasn’t reached a final all season and is vulnerable on clay to strong baseliners and younger, physically fresher opponents.
“At his best, Novak can still beat anyone,” Courier noted. “But right now, you just don’t know what you’re going to get. It wouldn’t shock me if he made a run, but it also wouldn’t shock me if he was out before the second week.”
Courier’s assessment highlights the current state of men’s and women’s tennis: Świątek, stable and dominant; Djokovic, legendary but uncertain. With the French Open set to begin, fans will soon see whether Courier’s prediction plays out on the red clay of Paris.
