Paris Awaits: Southern California’s Bold
Contenders Eye Roland Garros Glory

The stage is set in Paris as Roland Garros 2025 kicks off on Sunday, May 25, ushering in two weeks of high-stakes tennis on the sport’s most iconic clay courts. With a mix of seasoned veterans and electrifying newcomers, Southern California is making a strong statement in this year’s singles main draw, and the early matchups are already promising fireworks.

As the second Grand Slam of the year and the premier clay-court tournament on the calendar, the French Open draws the sport’s elite to Stade Roland Garros, where shot-making, endurance, and mental grit are tested like nowhere else. The men’s doubles begin Tuesday, May 27, with mixed, women’s, and men’s doubles all getting underway by Wednesday.

From breakout teens to Grand Slam veterans, SoCal players are poised to leave their mark in Paris. The draws have dropped, and they’re loaded with can’t-miss matchups from Day 1, especially for fans back home in California. Here’s a closer look at who’s in, how they got here, and what to watch for as Roland Garros gets underway.

The Underdog vs. Titan: Mackenzie McDonald’s Electric Opener

One of the most electric openers? Mackenzie McDonald versus Novak Djokovic on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

McDonald, a former UCLA standout currently ranked No. 99 in the world, knows how to bring the heat when the stakes are high. His straight-sets upset over Rafael Nadal at the 2023 Australian Open proved he has the nerve and the game to challenge legends on the sport’s biggest stages. Now, he’ll get another shot at greatness, this time against Djokovic, a player who just joined the elite company of Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors as one of only three men in the Open Era to win 100 or more ATP Tour titles after claiming the Geneva Open title. That milestone only adds fuel to Djokovic’s already burning desire for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

For McDonald, this isn’t just a chance to test himself, it’s an opportunity to crash the global spotlight. He’ll need to bring his trademark speed, shot tolerance, and aggressive court positioning to disrupt Djokovic’s rhythm early and often. The 24-time major champion won’t give away anything easily, especially on a court where he’s lifted the trophy before.

It’s a classic case of underdog vs. titan, but if McDonald steps up and plays with the fearless edge he’s known for, this first-round clash could become one of the most memorable moments of the tournament.

Could Lightning Strike Twice for Learner Tien? 

Learner Tien has been one of the breakout stories of the 2025 season, and now he’s looking to keep that momentum rolling on the Parisian clay.

The 19-year-old from Irvine began the year ranked No. 120 and burst onto the global tennis scene with a sensational run at the Australian Open. After battling through qualifying, Tien pulled off one of the most shocking results in recent Grand Slam memory: a second-round, five-set victory over Daniil Medvedev in a marathon that stretched nearly five hours. That win made him the youngest player to defeat a top-5 seed at the Australian Open since 2005.

He followed that historic upset with a dominant performance against Corentin Moutet to reach the fourth round, becoming the youngest man to do so in Melbourne since Rafael Nadal did it as an 18-year-old. Though his run ended at the hands of Lorenzo Sonego, Tien’s performance cemented him as one of the sport’s most exciting young talents and vaulted him into the ATP Top 100 for the first time, climbing to No. 80.

Now, Tien returns to Grand Slam action with another blockbuster matchup: a first-round rematch against current World No. 3 Alexander Zverev. Earlier this year in Acapulco, Tien shocked the top seed with a straight-sets win en route to the quarterfinals.

Zverev, last year’s Roland Garros finalist, is the highest-seeded opponent any Southern California player will face in the opening round. He’ll be eager to flip the script, but Tien has already shown he thrives in these high-pressure moments.

This clash has all the ingredients of a classic: a rising teen with fearless firepower against a seasoned Slam contender on one of tennis’s most iconic stages. Armed with a lefty game, relentless composure, and a breakout season full of marquee wins, Tien has more than earned his shot. If he can channel that same energy in Paris, find his groove, and lean into the fearless tennis that’s defined his rise, he just might pull off another headline-making win against one of the game’s top clay-court players.

The Return of Claylor?

Taylor Fritz arrives at Roland Garros as the highest-seeded Southern Californian and a legitimate contender. The Rancho Santa Fe native, ranked No. 4 in the world, continues to climb the ATP ladder with a blend of firepower, focus, and newfound clay-court confidence. Last year, the 27-year-old earned the nickname “Claylor” after becoming the first American man to reach the quarterfinals or better at all three clay-court Masters 1000 events, capped by a gritty win over Grigor Dimitrov in Rome.

Now making his ninth main draw appearance in Paris, Fritz opens his 2025 campaign against Germany’s Daniel Altmaier in what will be their first ATP Tour meeting. He enters as the fourth seed, aiming to surpass last year’s Round of 16 showing and make his deepest French Open run to date.

Fritz has already put together a strong season, reaching the Round of 16 at both the Australian Open and Indian Wells. Even a pre-tournament abdominal injury didn’t derail his BNP Paribas Open performance, where he showcased his trademark resilience with a comeback win in the third round.

With his serve clicking, his baseline game sharper than ever, and a clay-court résumé that continues to grow, Fritz heads into Paris not just as a top seed, but as a serious threat. 

Brandon Nakashima Riding a Wave of Momentum

San Diego native Brandon Nakashima enters Roland Garros playing some of the best tennis of his career. Now ranked inside the world’s Top 30 for the first time, the 23-year-old is seeded No. 28 in Paris and returns to the main draw for his fourth appearance. He’ll open against Argentina’s Mariano Navone, aiming to build on his best French Open result to date, a third-round showing during his breakout 2022 season.

Nakashima’s steady rise has been fueled by big results across both singles and doubles this year. In February, he teamed up with Miomir Kecmanovic to win the Delray Beach Open, becoming the youngest doubles champion at the event since Jack Sock in 2013. The duo showed remarkable grit, saving match points in the quarterfinals and winning back-to-back match tie-breaks to clinch Nakashima’s first career ATP doubles title.

He didn’t stop there. One week later, he reached his first ATP 500 semifinal in Acapulco after a commanding win over David Goffin. At Indian Wells, he made his deepest run yet at the BNP Paribas Open, advancing to the round of 16.

With confidence high and results stacking up, Nakashima arrives in Paris as one of Southern California’s top threats, equipped with a calm demeanor, reliable baseline game, and the belief that he can go deep on the red clay.

Alex Michelsen Eyes Top 30 Breakthrough in Paris

Alex Michelsen returns to Roland Garros for his second main draw appearance, but this time with a seeded number next to his name. The 20-year-old from Aliso Viejo enters as the tournament’s No. 32 seed and is currently ranked No. 33 in the world, already the youngest American in the ATP Top 50.

Michelsen’s rise over the past year has been nothing short of impressive. He reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in January with prominent wins over Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov, added three ATP Tour finals to his résumé, made his Davis Cup debut, and held his own on the Masters 1000 stage. His booming serve and fearless baseline play have made him one of the most promising young Americans on tour.

Last year, Michelsen made his Roland Garros debut as a teenager. This time around, he returns more seasoned, and with a big opportunity. A strong showing on the clay could propel him into the ATP Top 30 for the first time in his career. He’ll open against Argentine qualifier Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, a gritty left-hander known for his movement and clay-court savvy.

Marcos Giron Riding High into Roland Garros 

Marcos Giron rolls into Roland Garros with momentum and belief, fresh off a standout run at the Italian Open. The Thousand Oaks native battled past Gabriel Diallo before stunning world No. 4 Taylor Fritz in straight tiebreak sets, 7-6(4), 7-6(3), marking one of the biggest wins of his career. Though he fell to Hubert Hurkacz in the next round, Giron’s clay form is peaking at just the right time.

This marks his sixth main draw appearance in Paris, where he has reached the third round twice before. He opens this year against Dutch No. 1 Tallon Griekspoor, ready to push even deeper.

At 31 years old, Giron is playing some of the best tennis of his career, having reached multiple quarterfinals this year and a third-round showing at the Australian Open after two grueling five-set wins. One of his most memorable moments came at Indian Wells, where he thrilled the home crowd by upsetting Casper Ruud and reaching the Round of 16, the best showing of his career at the tournament. He also represented Team USA in Davis Cup alongside Alex Michelsen, further cementing his role as a steady force for American tennis.

Unseeded but unshaken, Giron arrives in Paris with a point to prove, and the game to back it up.

Emilio Nava Earns His Way Back to Paris 

Emilio Nava is headed back to the Roland Garros main draw for the second time, and he didn’t leave anything to chance. The 23-year-old from West Hills punched his ticket to Paris by dominating the USTA’s Roland Garros Wild Card Challenge, riding a red-hot 19-match win streak this spring. With a title in Sarasota and a runner-up finish in Tallahassee, Nava topped the standings with 119 points, outpacing a deep field that included Ethan Quinn, Colton Smith, and Chris Eubanks. 

Training in South America under coach Diego Cristin, Nava has fine-tuned his clay-court game and elevated his mental toughness, attributes he credits for his spring surge. Focused, confident, and riding a wave of momentum, he returns to Paris with his sights set on making a statement. In the opening round, Nava will face Dutch contender Botic van de Zandschulp in what promises to be a gritty, high-energy battle.

Iva Jovic Makes Her Roland Garros Singles Debut with Wild Card

At just 17 years old, Torrance native Iva Jovic is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young talents on the WTA Tour. After skyrocketing from No. 509 to No. 120 in the rankings over the past year, and holding the junior World No. 5 spot, Jovic is proving the next generation is here to stay.

Jovic earned her spot at Roland Garros by winning the USTA Roland Garros Wild Card Challenge, marking her third straight Grand Slam main draw appearance. This year will be her first women’s singles main draw at the French Open, where she faces Mexico’s Renata Zarazua in the opening round.

Jovic already has three consecutive Grand Slam main draws under her belt, including a historic run at the 2024 US Open where she became the youngest American woman to win a main draw match since 2000. She also reached the second round at the Australian Open this year.

Known for her all-court game, fierce competitiveness, and composure beyond her years, Jovic made waves recently at BNP Paribas Open. Entering as a wild card, she rallied from a set down to defeat Julia Grabher and pushed sixth seed Jasmine Paolini to a tough three-set battle, showcasing her grit on a big stage.

Paris holds special meaning for Jovic. Last year, she reached the girls’ doubles final alongside Tyra Caterina Grant, proving her ability to thrive on clay and under pressure. Reflecting on her rapid rise, Iva said, “I’ve become much more process-oriented… setting goals, planning, and tracking my progress. A year ago, I played with passion but lacked clarity. Now, I know where I want to go.”

From the South Bay to Roland Garros, Iva Jovic is ready to bring her game and grit to the red clay, watch for this young star to make noise in Paris.

Fifth Time is a Charm for Yannick Hanfmann

Former University of Southern California (USC) standout Yannick Hanfmann, now representing Germany, has earned his spot back in the Roland Garros main draw after an impressive run through three tough rounds of qualifying last week. Hanfmann showcased resilience and skill, defeating Ignacio Buse 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, Matteo Martineau 6-4, 6-4, and Titouan Droguet 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to secure his spot.

This marks Hanfmann’s fifth appearance in the Roland Garros main draw, where his best result came in 2023 when he advanced to the second round. In this year’s opener, he will face 23-year-old Italian Lorenzo Musetti, the tournament’s eighth seed and one of the exciting young talents on the tour. It’s a challenging first-round test that promises to deliver high-quality tennis and plenty of intrigue.

Mayar Sherif Eyes Fourth Straight Roland Garros Second Round

Mayar Sherif, a notable Pepperdine University alum, is making her fifth main draw appearance at Roland Garros. Over the past three years, she has consistently advanced to the second round, proving her growing comfort and resilience on the demanding clay courts of Paris.

This year, Sherif will open her campaign against Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, a tough opponent who will test her skills early. Currently ranked inside the top 70, Sherif brings experience and determination to the court, having earned multiple titles on the WTA 125 circuit.

Conclusion

As the sun rises over the red clay of Roland Garros, Southern California’s bold contenders stand ready to write the next chapter in their tennis journeys. From rising stars like Iva Jovic, Learner Tien, and Alex Michelsen to seasoned campaigners like Taylor Fritz and Marcos Giron, this diverse and dynamic group embodies the heart, grit, and relentless pursuit of greatness that define the region’s tennis culture.

Each player brings a unique story, a distinct style, and a fierce ambition to Paris, where every point is a battle, every set a test, and every match an opportunity to make history. Whether it’s the fearless youth chasing breakthroughs or the experienced pros aiming to cement their legacies, these Southern California athletes are poised not just to compete, but to captivate.

Roland Garros is more than a tournament; it’s a proving ground where dreams are realized and legends are born. For SoCal tennis, this year’s French Open is a moment to shine on the world’s biggest clay stage, to inspire the next generation, and to remind fans everywhere that from the beaches of California to the courts of Paris, champions are made through passion, resilience, and heart.

Paris awaits. Let the battle begin.