French Open: Women’s Singles Preview

Tennis’ second grand slam of the year gets under way in Paris on Sunday as the French Open gets started at Roland-Garros. Who will finish the clay-court swing with a major victory?

One player who will be desperate to take her place in the draw is Iga Swiatek. The world number one has won this event twice in the past three years.

However, a thigh injury at the Italian Open has cast doubts over her chances in Paris. Even if Swiatek is fit to play, she won’t have it all her own way with the likes of Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur in the draw.

Ahead of the opening round at Roland-Garros, let’s take a look at who has history in Paris and who’s coming into the grand slam in the best form.

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Past champions

While the men’s tournament has been dominated by Rafael Nadal over the past decade, the women’s draw has seen eight different champions. Only Swiatek and Serena Williams have won it more than once.

Both of Swiatek’s final wins have come against Americans. She beat Sofia Kenin in 2020 and overcame Coco Gauff 6-1 6-3 12 months ago.

In-between Swiatek’s titles was a maiden grand slam triumph for Barbora Krejcikova, while Ash Barty and Simona Halep preceded the Pole.

Who’s hot?

Prior to her injury in Rome, Iga Swiatek had impressed on the red dirt. She won the title in Stuttgart, before reaching the Madrid Open final. Getting back to that form will be her main priority ahead of the first round at Roland-Garros.

Swiatek faced Aryna Sabalenka in both of her clay-court finals. The Belarussian is in great grand-slam form heading to Paris. She reached the semis at the US Open last year and kicked off 2023 by winning the Australian Open title. However, she suffered a surprise exit to Sofia Kenin in Rome.

Other clay-court champions this year include Ons Jabeur (Charleston), Sloane Stephens (Saint Malo) and Elena Rybakina (Rome). Jabeur’s preparations have been hampered by a calf injury, but she returned at the Italian Open.

2023 contenders

Iga Swiatek (8/11)

With two titles in the last three years, Swiatek is favourite heading into the tournament, even though she has struggled with rib and thigh injuries. The world number one is odds-on to lift the title for a third time.

Aryna Sabalenka (3/1)

Aryna Sabalenka is 3/1 to win the French Open title. Despite having never been past the third round at Roland-Garros, her form on clay this year is hard to ignore. She’s already beaten Swiatek, Krejcikova, Maria Sakkari and Paula Badosa on the red dirt.

Elena Rybakina (6/1)

In Swiatek’s absence it was Elena Rybakina who won the Italian Open in Rome. That title moved her into the top-five for the first time and will see her seeded fourth at Roland-Garros. Get 6/1 on the Wimbledon champion and Australian Open finalist winning in Paris.

Ons Jabeur (14/1)

Is this Ons Jabeur’s time? The Tunisian has reached two grand slam finals but has yet to win one. She’s 14/1 to break her duck in Paris. Jabeur returned from a thigh injury at the Italian Open, losing to Paula Badosa in the second round.

Barbora Krejcikova (12/1)

The French Open likes to throw up a surprise women’s champion, and that’s exactly what Barbora Krejcikova did in 2021. That run saw her beat Elina Svitolina, Sloane Stephens, Coco Gauff and Maria Sakkari. She’s 12/1 to go all the way again.

The Brits

There are no British women in the main draw. Emma Raducanu will miss this year’s event after undergoing surgery on her wrists and ankle. Meanwhile, the likes of Heather Watson, Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart all failed to get through qualifying.