French Open 2026: Top Contenders, Rising Stars, and Farewell Tours at Roland Garros

The 2026 French Open is set to commence on Sunday at the iconic Roland Garros in Paris, promising a compelling blend of established dominance, emerging talent, and poignant farewells. This year's tournament presents distinct narratives for both the men's and women's draws, as reported by The Athletic. On the men's side, a clear favorite is expected to set the benchmark, with the rest of the field aiming to challenge his supremacy. The women's competition, however, appears more open at the very top, with the world's top four players vying to assert their dominance over a strong contingent of challengers who hold realistic chances of causing upsets.

Beyond the outright title contenders, Roland Garros always serves as a stage for diverse player stories. Home-court favorites will look to thrive, rising stars will make their mark on the grandest stage, and seasoned veterans may be embarking on their final Grand Slam appearances. This preview delves into 30 players, 15 men and 15 women, who are poised to capture attention, examining their prospects as title favorites, potential dark horses, or as figures bidding adieu to the sport, according to The Athletic.

Women's Title Contenders Set to Battle

Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning world No. 1, arrives at Roland Garros with a point to prove despite her consistent presence in Grand Slam finals. Her clay-court preparation has been limited, with only six matches played leading up to the tournament, including two losses to players outside the top 25. A recent third-round exit at the Italian Open, where she received treatment for a lower-back injury, marked her earliest tournament departure in 15 months. Nevertheless, Sabalenka's major-tournament record remains formidable, with semifinals or better in 12 of her last 13 Grand Slams, her only significant blip being a stomach upset at the 2024 French Open. Her evolving game, incorporating greater finesse beyond sheer power, makes her less susceptible to upsets when her primary strategy falters. Last year, she reached her first non-hard court Slam final at Roland Garros, and if she can maintain fitness, she is a strong favorite to go one step further in 2026, provided she can overcome her recent struggles in final matches, having lost three of her last four.

Elena Rybakina, a Grand Slam champion already this year, is firmly among the title favorites. While her best result at Roland Garros has been the quarterfinals, her current season form positions her as a significant threat. Rybakina is known for her powerful hitting and formidable serve, but she is far from a one-dimensional player. Her bravery and precision on crucial points, coupled with an unflappable demeanor, allow her to neutralize opponents who excel at the net or in transition play, often pinning them to the baseline. Her 2025 season concluded with an 11-match winning streak, including a WTA Finals victory. Her momentum has continued into 2026, highlighted by a close final loss to Sabalenka at Indian Wells and a WTA title on indoor red clay in Stuttgart. Despite previous quarterfinal exits at Roland Garros in 2024 and 2025, this year appears to be a prime opportunity for her to advance further.

Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff's Form

Iga Świątek, a four-time French Open champion, is showing signs of recapturing her dominant clay-court form at an opportune moment. After a somewhat inconsistent start to the season, Świątek parted ways with coach Wim Fissette in March and brought in Francisco Roig, a former long-time coach of Rafael Nadal. Having idolized Nadal growing up, Świątek has often been compared to the Spaniard in her WTA dominance. She was the first woman since Justine Henin in 2007 to win three consecutive French Open titles, but her clay-court title drought has extended since then. Last year's semifinal exit saw her lose the final set 6-0 against Sabalenka after sustained pressure on her serve. However, her performance at last week's Italian Open indicated a return to comfort on clay, demonstrating greater patience in point construction and a more potent forehand. Despite a recent dip in form, she enters Paris as the reigning Wimbledon champion and with more French Open titles than any other player in the women's field. The effectiveness of her remodeled serve, which was a liability against Sabalenka in the 2025 semifinals but a weapon at Wimbledon, will be crucial for her pursuit of a fifth Roland Garros crown.

Coco Gauff, the defending women's singles champion at Roland Garros, has rounded into form over the past month, reaching the Italian Open final for the second consecutive year. Her serve has been notably stable, and it would come as no surprise if she were to lift the trophy again. However, the nature of clay-court tennis, with its higher, slower bounce, can be a double-edged sword for Gauff. While it allows her more time to set up her forehand, which is central to her game, it has also sometimes left her out of position. Opponents will continue to target her forehand, but if they cannot effectively do so, Gauff's backhand, foot speed, and defensive skills can frustrate them into making errors.

Key Player Outlook for 2026 French Open

• Aryna Sabalenka: Belarusian | World No. 1, Multiple Grand Slam Finalist | Title Favorite, fitness concerns after recent injury.
• Elena Rybakina: Kazakhstani | Grand Slam Winner, Powerful Serve | Strong Contender, seeking first Roland Garros breakthrough.
• Iga Świątek: Polish | Four-time French Open Champion | Resurgent form on clay, aiming for a record fifth title.
• Coco Gauff: American | Defending French Open Champion | In good form, forehand remains key target for opponents.

Dark Horses and Emotional Farewells

The field is also populated with players who could spring surprises or are making their final appearances at a major. The Athletic's preview will highlight 30 players in total, exploring their unique journeys and potential impact at Roland Garros. This includes those who excel on home soil, emerging talents making their mark, and veteran players potentially taking their last lap of honor. Corentin Moutet is specifically mentioned as one such player to watch, suggesting a potential for a deep run or a memorable performance on his home courts.

The significance of these storylines extends beyond individual matches. For fans, it represents the ebb and flow of professional tennis, the crowning of new champions, the continuation of legendary careers, and the emotional farewells that punctuate the sport. The 2026 French Open promises to deliver all of these elements, making it a must-watch event for enthusiasts of the game.

Source: The Athletic, https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7301879/2026/05/23/french-open-2026-preview-favorites-upsets-players-to-watch/