The 2026 French Open features top tennis stars with points to prove. The Athletic provides live coverage of Day 1 at Roland Garros in Paris, where the men’s and women’s draws are divided differently this year.
On the men’s side, there’s one clear favorite, while challengers aim to unseat him. For the women, the top four players in the world rankings are seeking to distinguish themselves from those below them. However, surprises may be more likely in the women’s draw compared to their ATP Tour counterparts.
Beyond the tournament’s final winner, there are multiple compelling storylines. These include players thriving on home turf, rising talents making their mark on major stages, and seasoned athletes enjoying their final moments.
Here are 30 notable players at this year’s French Open, split into 15 men and 15 women. Some are title contenders, some are dark horses, and some are making their last major appearances. One of them includes Corentin Moutet.
Prominent Women Players
Aryna Sabalenka is a strong world No. 1, regularly reaching Grand Slam finals, yet she arrives at Roland Garros needing to affirm her dominance. Despite playing only a few clay-court matches as preparation and suffering recent losses to lower-ranked players, Sabalenka is a consistent performer in majors.
Her refined gameplay, which includes effective drop shots, boosts her chances for success. However, she struggles when she reaches finals, having lost three of her last four.
- 2026 Results: World ranking: No. 1 Grand Slams: 6-1 Clay: 4-2 Overall: 27-3
- French Open CV: Career: 22-8 Best Finish: Runner-up (2025) Appearances: 8
Elena Rybakina, a Grand Slam champion this year, is among the top contenders for the French Open title, though she’s never reached past the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. Her brilliant serving and strategic play on critical points enhance her chances this year.
- 2026 Results: World ranking: No. 2 Grand Slams: 7-0 Clay: 9-2 Overall: 30-7
- French Open CV: Career: 16-6 Best Finish: Quarterfinal (2024) Appearances: 7
Iga Świątek, aiming for a fifth French Open title, shows promise with her rejuvenated form on clay under new coach Francisco Roig. With a dominant track record in Paris, Świątek looks to capitalize on her strong serving.
- 2026 Results: World ranking: No. 3 Grand Slams: 4-1 Clay: 6-3 Overall: 18-9
- French Open CV: Career: 40-3 Best Finish: Winner (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024) Appearances: 7
Coco Gauff tries to defend her title amid inconsistent performance. Her forehand has been under scrutiny, but clay helps her set it up better. Despite challenges, her competitive spirit makes her a strong contender.
- 2026 Results: World ranking: No. 4 Grand Slams: 3-1 Clay: 8-3 Overall: 24-9
- French Open CV: Career: 27-5 Best Finish: Winner (2025) Appearances: 6
Jessica Pegula, known for her consistency, seeks to improve her French Open record, aiming to pass the quarterfinals for the first time, relying on her consistent late-stage tournament presence.
- 2026 Results: World ranking: No. 5 Grand Slams: 5-1 Clay: 9-2 Overall: 28-6
- French Open CV: Career: 11-6 Best Finish: Quarterfinal (2022) Appearances: 6
Prominent Men Players
Jannik Sinner stands as the men’s top contender for the French Open title, wielding dominating groundstrokes that fuel high expectations for success. His multi-faceted gameplay and strategic improvements make him nearly invincible.
- 2026 Results: World ranking: No. 1 Grand Slams: 5-1 Clay: 17-0 Overall: 36-2
- French Open CV: Career: 22-6 Best Finish: Runner-up (2025) Appearances: 6
Alexander Zverev aims to claim his first Grand Slam title, with a strong showing at the French Open potentially being one of his best chances, considering a competitive field. His backhand and baseline strategy make him a difficult opponent.
- 2026 Results: World ranking: No. 3 Grand Slams: 5-1 Clay: 13-4 Overall: 28-9
- French Open CV: Career: 38-10 Best Finish: Runner-up (2024) Appearances: 11
Novak Djokovic, despite recovery from an arm injury, remains a formidable presence, hoping to clinch yet another Grand Slam title. The absence of Carlos Alcaraz opens a path for Djokovic’s skill on clay to shine.
- 2026 Results: World ranking: No. 4 Grand Slams: 6-1 Clay: 0-1 Overall: 7-3
- French Open CV: Career: 101-17 Best Finish: Winner (2016, 2021, 2023) Appearances: 21
Ben Shelton exhibits a promising clay game filled with agility and intriguing play. His past performances signal potential, but he needs to enhance his current form to advance beyond prior achievements.
- 2026 Results: World ranking: No. 6 Grand Slams: 4-1 Clay: 7-4 Overall: 18-8
- French Open CV: Career: 4-3 Best Finish: Round of 16 (2025) Appearances: 3
As the tournament unfolds, the excitement and challenges of the French Open continue with every game.
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