As the clay court season heats up, tennis fans brace for an eventful May. From injury setbacks and coaching shakeups to comebacks and personal decisions off the court, this month promises plenty of drama. Here are five bold predictions for what lies ahead in the tennis world this May:
1. Carlos Alcaraz Could Withdraw from the French Open
Carlos Alcaraz’s clay season started strong with a title win at the Monte-Carlo Masters and a runner-up finish in Barcelona. However, an injury during the Barcelona final against Holger Rune forced him to pull out of the Madrid Open. His status for the upcoming Italian Open remains unclear.
This situation mirrors last year’s injury woes, but with one key difference: the injury occurred mid-season this time, not at the start. If Alcaraz misses the Italian Open, his chances of defending his French Open title become increasingly slim. With Wimbledon also on the horizon, he may have to make a strategic decision and prioritize recovery for the grass-court major.
2. Naomi Osaka Might Part Ways with Patrick Mouratoglou
Naomi Osaka’s comeback tour has yet to reach its full potential under coach Patrick Mouratoglou. After an early exit at the Madrid Open, she opted to play a Challenger event in Saint-Malo—her first appearance at this level in over a decade.
Clay has never been Osaka’s strongest surface, but continued struggles could lead her to reconsider her coaching setup. Unless results improve soon, a split with Mouratoglou might be imminent.
3. Jannik Sinner Could Win the Italian Open After Doping Ban
Jannik Sinner is poised for a dramatic return after serving a three-month suspension for testing positive for clostebol. Despite the controversy, he successfully defended his Australian Open title earlier this year before serving his ban, which ends on May 4.
With Novak Djokovic out, Alcaraz nursing an injury, and Zverev’s inconsistency, Sinner enters the Italian Open as a strong favorite. While rust could be a factor, he has the skill and motivation to reclaim his place at the top—starting with a potential title run in Rome.
4. Stefanos Tsitsipas Could Finally Distance Himself from His Father
Stefanos Tsitsipas has had a complicated relationship with his father and former coach, Apostolos. Following a fallout last year, Stefanos removed him from his coaching team. Yet, Apostolos was spotted in the player box during recent events, including the Madrid Open where Tsitsipas lost to Lorenzo Musetti.
Despite some earlier successes without his father present—including a title win in Dubai—recent performances may prompt Tsitsipas to firmly re-establish boundaries. If results don’t improve, we could see him take decisive action to prevent further distractions.
5. A Shifting Power Dynamic in Tennis Could Begin to Take Shape
With Alcaraz potentially sidelined, Osaka at a crossroads, Sinner returning from suspension, and Tsitsipas confronting personal challenges, the tennis landscape is ripe for change. New faces could rise, rivalries could reignite, and familiar names might step back—willingly or not. May 2025 might just be the turning point.