Roger Federer’s former coach has shock prediction over who is going to win the French Open, ‘I am calling it right now’

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The 2025 French Open is just a few weeks away, as players finish up their preparations ahead of the year’s second Grand Slam.

Several players will head to Roland Garros with title ambitions, having enjoyed strong starts to their clay seasons.

2024 French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz won the Monte-Carlo Masters and reached the final of the Barcelona Open, producing his best tennis of the year on clay.

Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti has been a revelation on clay in 2025, remarkably reaching the semi-finals of all three Masters 1000 events on the surface, and will likely be dangerous when he takes to the court in Paris.

Musetti’s countryman has only played three matches on clay since returning from his suspension, but world number one Jannik Sinner will still head to the French Open as one of the favorites.

It’s another name, however, that Roger Federer’s former coach is picking to win the title, as he continues to rack up wins on the red stuff.

Paul Annacone says Casper Ruud is ‘winning’ the French Open

Appearing on the Tennis Channel Live podcast, Paul Annacone named the player he thinks will pick up the title in Paris.

“Casper Ruud has been playing with so much confidence these days,” he said.

“It’s great to hear him talk about his health and well-being, he talked very candidly about having to get things better in that hamster wheel, as he talked about, which is life on tour.

“Right now he has that balance, has that confidence, we know he has got the tennis game, and we know on the red stuff he is so difficult to beat.

“How about today, facing no breakpoints? Using the big forehand to dictate from everywhere on the court. A terrific athlete. Really sound. I think he has sured up the backhand side of the court.”

Ruud was impressively solid during his fourth-round Italian Open win over Jaume Munar, advancing to the quarterfinals in straight sets.

With that in mind, Annacone confidently made his pick for the French Open.

“Jim Courier, I am telling you right now that is the man who is winning the French Open,” said Annacone.

“I am calling it right now.”

Casper Ruud’s impressive French Open record

Ruud has enjoyed real success at Roland Garros over the past three years, reaching two finals and one semi-final.

• 2024 French Open – Casper Ruud lost in SF to Alexander Zverev, 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 2-6
• 2023 French Open – Casper Ruud lost in F to Novak Djokovic, 6-7, 3-6, 5-7
• 2022 French Open – Casper Ruud lost in F to Rafael Nadal, 3-6, 3-6, 0-6

There’s no shame in losing to two of the greatest players of all time in Grand Slam finals, and despite failing to win a set in either final, it shouldn’t be overlooked how Ruud performed against Novak Djokovic in 2023.

The Norwegian pushed Djokovic to a tiebreaker in set one and came close to snatching the third set, before losing in the final for the second year in a row.

No player has won more matches at the French Open since 2022 than Ruud, who has picked up 16 victories at the event.

He’ll travel to Paris as one of the pre-tournament favorites, but will first want to finish up his clay Masters 1000 campaign with a title in Rome.

Casper Ruud searches for tenth consecutive ATP Tour win against Jannik Sinner at the Italian Open

Earlier this month, Ruud beat Jack Draper to win his maiden Masters 1000 title at the Madrid Open.

Backing that run up, Ruud has won his opening three matches at the Italian Open to extend his ATP Tour winning streak to nine.

• 1. Madrid Open 2R – Casper Ruud beat Arthur Rinderknech
• 2. Madrid Open 3R – Casper Ruud beat Sebastian Korda
• 3. Madrid Open 4R – Casper Ruud beat Taylor Fritz
• 4. Madrid Open QF – Casper Ruud beat Daniil Medvedev
• 5. Madrid Open SF – Casper Ruud beat Francisco Cerundolo
• 6. Madrid Open F – Casper Ruud beat Jack Draper
• 7. Italian Open 2R – Casper Ruud beat Alexander Bublik
• 8. Italian Open 3R – Casper Ruud beat Matteo Berrettini
• 9. Italian Open 4R – Casper Ruud beat Jaume Munar

Playing some of the best tennis of his career, Ruud would likely have been considered the favorite for his quarterfinal match against any other opponent.

Unfortunately for the Norwegian, he’ll take on Sinner in the last eight, a man who has won his previous 24 matches, a run that extends back to last October.

Sinner’s latest win over Francisco Cerundolo was his most impressive since returning from suspension, taking down the Argentine in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3.

The Italian has also beaten Ruud in each of their three previous meetings, a statistic he could well look to for confidence ahead of their quarterfinal match.

Only time will tell who will come out on top when Annacone’s French Open favorite takes on Sinner in the Italian Open quarterfinal on Thursday, May 15.