8 Things to Know About Roland-Garros 2026
The French Open is here, and for tennis fans, Roland-Garros always feels a little different.
The clay. The sliding. The long rallies. The momentum shifts. The players having to solve problems point by point. It is one of the best tournaments in the world for showing how small improvements, patience and confidence can build into something much bigger.
Here are eight things to know about Roland-Garros 2026.
1. Roland-Garros runs from 18 May to 7 June
The 2026 edition of Roland-Garros takes place from 18 May to 7 June, with Opening Week beginning with qualifying before the main draw starts. The tournament schedule lists qualifying from Monday 18 May, with the main draw beginning on Sunday 24 May. The women’s singles final is scheduled for Saturday 6 June, followed by the men’s singles final on Sunday 7 June.
For players, this is three weeks of pressure, problem-solving and opportunity. For fans, it means plenty of tennis to follow before the biggest matches even begin.
2. Qualifying is more than a warm-up
Opening Week is where the tournament starts to take shape.
This year, 128 men and 128 women are chasing 16 qualifying spots in each draw. The official Roland-Garros site notes that fans will also have access to qualifying matches, practice sessions and Court Suzanne-Lenglen during Opening Week.
That makes qualifying one of the best parts of the tournament for tennis lovers. You get rising players, returning names and experienced competitors fighting for a chance to step into the main draw.
It is a great reminder for players at every level: progress often starts before anyone else is really watching.
3. The top men’s names are led by Jannik Sinner
The official men’s singles entry list has Jannik Sinner listed at No.1, followed by Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Ben Shelton.
That gives the men’s draw a strong mix of experience and new momentum. Djokovic brings Grand Slam history. Zverev is listed as a major contender after being a finalist in 2024, while Sinner enters as the world No.1. The Roland-Garros entry list article also notes that Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion, has withdrawn from the 2026 edition due to a wrist injury.
Top five men listed:
- Jannik Sinner
- Alexander Zverev
- Novak Djokovic
- Felix Auger-Aliassime
- Ben Shelton
4. Aryna Sabalenka leads the women’s field
In the women’s singles entry list, Aryna Sabalenka is listed at No.1, followed by Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula.
There are plenty of storylines here. Coco Gauff returns as the defending champion, while Sabalenka is described by Roland-Garros as last year’s finalist and the current world No.1. Iga Swiatek, a four-time champion in Paris, is also named as one of the leading contenders after being stopped in the semi-finals last year.
Top five women listed:
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Elena Rybakina
- Coco Gauff
- Iga Swiatek
- Jessica Pegula
5. The men’s qualifying players to watch
Roland-Garros has named five men to watch in qualifying, but three stand out straight away.
Grigor Dimitrov is the biggest name in the men’s qualifying field. The former world No.3 is working his way back after a lingering pectoral tear suffered at Wimbledon last year. Roland-Garros notes that he has fallen outside the top 100 for the first time since 2012, making his qualifying campaign one of the strongest comeback stories of the week.
Henrique Rocha is another one to follow. Last year, he came through qualifying and then won his first two five-set matches in the main draw. The official site says his 2025 run to the third round was a season highlight, and he returns with good clay-court form after strong ATP Challenger results.
David Goffin is also worth watching. The former world No.7 begins his 14th and final Roland-Garros campaign in qualifying, which adds a special layer to his week in Paris.
Top three men to watch in qualifying:
- Grigor Dimitrov
- Henrique Rocha
- David Goffin
6. The women’s qualifying players to watch
The women’s qualifying draw is packed with big names.
Karolina Pliskova is one of the major comeback stories. Roland-Garros reports that the former world No.1 did not play a tour-level match between the 2024 US Open and the 2026 Australian Open because of left ankle surgery and an infection that delayed her return. She has rediscovered form in 2026, winning nine of 12 matches on clay across the last two months.
Bianca Andreescu is another player to watch. The former world No.4 and 2019 US Open champion is trying to get her Grand Slam season moving in Paris after steadily climbing the rankings in 2026.
Sloane Stephens brings serious Roland-Garros history. The former finalist has a 35-13 career main draw record on the Paris clay and has reached the second week in Paris nine times.
Top three women to watch in qualifying:
- Karolina Pliskova
- Bianca Andreescu
- Sloane Stephens
7. The comeback stories are worth following
Every Grand Slam has players trying to win the trophy, but Roland-Garros also gives us players trying to win their way back.
On the men’s side, Grigor Dimitrov is the clear comeback story. A former world No.3, he is now trying to rebuild after injury and regain momentum through qualifying. That makes his first week in Paris more than just a pathway into the main draw. It is a test of belief, patience and resilience.
On the women’s side, Karolina Pliskova is one of the most interesting returns. After ankle surgery and a delayed comeback, she has found form again on clay. For any tennis player, junior or adult, that is a powerful reminder that progress does not always come in one straight line. Sometimes the win is simply getting back on court and building again.
8. Roland-Garros is the perfect tournament for small wins
Clay-court tennis rewards patience.
You do not always win by hitting harder. You often win by staying in the rally, adjusting your position, making one better decision, and finding a way to keep the ball in play one more time.
That is why Roland-Garros connects so well with this week’s Ready for Tennis theme: small improvements, real progress.
At every level, from beginner lessons to Grand Slam matches, tennis is built on small wins. A better contact point. A smarter rally. A calmer response after a mistake. A little more confidence in the next shot.
At Roland-Garros, those small moments can become match-changing moments.
And for our own players at Ready for Tennis, the same lesson applies. Small wins build big confidence.