French Open Roland Garros WTA 2026: Draw, Schedule, Entry List and Predictions

From 24 May to 7 June, 2026, we transition to the French Open, the second Grand Slam tournament of the year. Coco Gauff is the 2025 champion and will return aiming to defend that.

She is joined in the running by Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros. Also there is the added subplot of the race to the World No.1. Sabalenka must reach the quarterfinals to have a chance at retaining the No. 1 ranking. If Rybakina reaches the quarterfinals, Sabalenka can only retain the No. 1 ranking by winning the title.

Played in Paris, it is seen as one of the best majors on the calendar and heralds the run-in then towards Wimbledon and the US Open.

(as per ticktocktennis.com)

The men's and women's singles draws are expected to take place on May 21.

The schedule is confirmed before play begins Sunday but it all begins on Sunday with the first round with the top names not expected until Wednesday.

Samuel Gill, Head Editor for TennisUpToDate sees a surprise winner emerging from the pack.

Two winners have emerged from my bag of tricks ready for the French Open with a new major winner crowned in that case as I see Iva Jovic or Victoria Mboko winning it.

Both have made insane strides in the past 18 months and Mboko now works with Wim Fissette so I see good things there. Jovic less so but she has shown that she has the game on clay, it's just about snapping the poor comeback losses.

Elina Svitolina I also see up there after winning Rome and of course the leading lights of Sabalenka, Swiatek and Rybakina. Also a word for Karolina Muchova who should in theory be quality again in Paris.

*** Victoria Mboko

** Iva Jovic, Elina Svitolina

* Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Karolina Muchova

Cristhian Avila, Editor for TennisUpToDate picks the Queen of Clay to resume her reign.

At Roland Garros, the favourite is always Iga Swiatek. With four titles in Paris, she has shown that she is the best player of her generation on clay courts, and she seriously enters the discussion of the greatest players ever on the surface alongside Chris Evert, Steffi Graf and Justine Henin. The Pole still has many years ahead to continue winning the French Open, and she will always be spoken about as the favourite. Although she does not arrive with the same top confidence as in other seasons, she remains inside the top three and showed a renewed level in Rome – despite the semi-final defeat.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Elena Rybakina have been the most consistent players of the season by some distance and appear best positioned. Although both feel more comfortable on hard courts or grass courts, they have proven level on clay courts. More natural on the surface is Coco Gauff, the defending champion, who also brings confidence from Rome to be a contender.

Outside the names leading the rankings, Karolina Muchova – former finalist of the tournament – has looked renewed in confidence in recent months and there will not be a rival who wants to have her in front of them in Paris. I am also paying attention to Zheng Qinwen, who this time as an unseeded player will be a dark horse in the draw. Nothing would prevent seeing any top-five player facing Zheng in the first round and perhaps generating an early surprise and an opening in the draw. I see the Chinese player going far if she is physically fit.

***Iga Swiatek

** Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff

* Karolina Muchova, Zheng Qinwen

Lucas Michael, Editor for TennisUpToDate sees Coco Gauff winning it again.

Unlike the men’s tournament, the winner of the women’s Roland Garros could come from anywhere. The second Grand Slam of the year poses a huge opportunity for everyone competing on the big stage with a huge title on the line.

The main challengers will be in the fray. Aryna Sabalenka was an overwhelming favourite after her Sunshine double caught the eye of many. However, two early exits for the world number one in Madrid and Rome have been tough to take. She will not have the best momentum coming into Roland Garros but will always be a threat as she looks to claim a first major title away from hardcourt.

Iga Swiatek has also thrown her name into the cauldron after a recent positive showing in Rome. However, the four-time champion is still struggling against the best in the world, as shown against Elina Svitolina in the semi-final at Foro Italico. The Ukrainian also defeated Elena Rybakina. If the Kazakh’s serve is working in the latter stages of the tournament at its brilliant best, then she could be a force to be reckoned with.

Then we come to the reigning champion Coco Gauff. Not always convincing on court when it comes to the performances and results, but she has been winning. Two WTA 1000 finals from the last three events at that level are very promising, and she is brilliant on clay. So is Svitolina. As forementioned, she is currently soaring after an amazing run in Rome. Whether she can continue that in Paris is a different story.

For me, one of those names will win the title. Mirra Andreeva’s clay swing has been stunning, but I doubt her getting over the line at the end and keeping her emotions in check. That could be tinted by the Madrid Open final, in which Marta Kostyuk burst back onto the scene. Jessica Pegula, Victoria Mboko and former finalist Karolina Muchova deserve special mentions

So, who will win the title? If I was a betting man, I would lean towards a repeat from 12 months ago. Exceptional on clay, Gauff has been finding a way to win on a regular basis. I think she will do that again.

*** Coco Gauff

** Aryna Sabalenka, Elina Svitolina

* Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva