The 2025 Marseille Open kicks off on Monday, setting the stage for a thrilling week of high-stakes indoor hardcourt battles. With three ATP 250 tournaments happening simultaneously—Delray Beach (USA), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Marseille (France)—players had the luxury of choosing between different continents and playing surfaces. But for those who opted for Marseille’s lightning-fast indoor courts, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Headlining the stacked draw is Daniil Medvedev, the top seed, who arrives in France desperate to shake off a shaky start to the season. Meanwhile, Stan Wawrinka, the three-time Grand Slam champion, embarks on what could be his final appearance in Marseille, while local hero Richard Gasquet prepares for his farewell tour ahead of retirement at Roland Garros. Add in powerhouses like Karen Khachanov, Ugo Humbert, Hubert Hurkacz, and Sebastian Korda, and this tournament has all the ingredients for a blockbuster week.
Medvedev’s Rocky Start: A Wild Card with Something to Prove
Once a near-unstoppable force on hard courts, Medvedev enters Marseille as a wild card, following early exits at both the Australian Open and Rotterdam Open. He’s not just searching for form—he’s searching for stability.
The 2021 US Open champion opens his campaign against either Harold Mayot or a qualifier, a seemingly comfortable draw on paper. But nothing has been easy for Medvedev in 2025. His Australian Open meltdown, which resulted in a massive fine, and his verbal clash with the umpire in Rotterdam have raised questions about his mindset.
A deep run in Marseille could silence the critics and restore his confidence, but with potential quarterfinal showdowns against serving nightmare Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, and potential later clashes with Karen Khachanov or Sebastian Korda, Medvedev’s road to redemption is anything but easy.
The Korda Comeback & Khachanov Collision Course
Another major storyline is Sebastian Korda’s return to form. After elbow surgery sidelined him for most of 2024, the American stormed into the Adelaide International final last month, signaling his resurgence.
Korda’s first-round challenge comes against Otto Virtanen, but a deep run would set up an electrifying quarterfinal battle against No. 3 seed Karen Khachanov. Khachanov, a proven force on hard courts, faces a tricky first match against the dangerous Serbian ball-striker Hamad Medjedovic.
If Korda and Khachanov meet in the quarters, expect an absolute slugfest—two powerful baseliners battling for a spot in the semis.
Wawrinka & Gasquet: Farewell Tours Begin?
While the Marseille Open is a proving ground for rising stars, it also serves as a curtain call for two tennis legends.
Stan Wawrinka, who turns 40 next month, continues to defy time. Though overshadowed by his contemporaries like Andy Murray, the Swiss veteran’s passion for the sport remains undeniable. His first-round match against Nuno Borges is a tough one, but if he advances, a quarterfinal against Hubert Hurkacz looms.
Meanwhile, Richard Gasquet begins his final run in Marseille before retiring at the French Open. The former World No. 7 and fan favorite opens against Alexander Bublik, a flamboyant shot-maker who will test the Frenchman’s patience. If Gasquet survives, defending champion Ugo Humbert awaits in the Round of 16—a monumental challenge for the veteran in his home farewell.
Hurkacz, Humbert, and Dark Horses to Watch
Beyond the big names, the draw is filled with players capable of shaking things up.
- Hubert Hurkacz (No. 4 seed), one of the best servers on tour, could be a major threat if he finds rhythm on Marseille’s slick courts.
- Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the unseeded Frenchman with one of the biggest serves in the game, is a nightmare matchup for anyone—even Medvedev, who could face him in the quarters.
- Luca Nardi, who shocked Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells in 2024, is always capable of an upset.
- Hamad Medjedovic, Serbia’s rising star, has raw firepower that could cause problems for Khachanov in the second round.
What’s at Stake? The Race for ATP Points & Momentum
While ATP 250 events don’t drastically shift the rankings, the 500 points at stake (for the champion) could be crucial for players looking to build momentum ahead of Indian Wells and Miami.
For Medvedev, it’s about proving he’s still a dominant force.
For Korda and Khachanov, it’s a chance to go deep and build confidence.
For Wawrinka and Gasquet, it’s about leaving one last mark on the tournament they’ve given so much to.
And for the fans? It’s about watching a loaded field battle it out on one of the ATP Tour’s fastest surfaces.
Buckle up—Marseille 2025 is about to deliver some serious fireworks.
