Five standout athletes are being highlighted as top contenders for the women’s singles championship at this year’s French Open tournament, which kicks off on Sunday.
ELENA RYBAKINA (KAZAKHSTAN)
* World ranking: 2
The Kazakhstani player, who has reached the French Open quarterfinals twice before, began 2026 with impressive momentum after capturing her second Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open – her first major title since claiming Wimbledon in 2022.
After struggling to advance beyond the fourth round in any major tournament last year, Rybakina changed her fortunes at November’s WTA Finals by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the championship match.
The 26-year-old athlete successfully defended her Stuttgart Open championship last month to begin her clay court season, and now has the chance to overtake Sabalenka for the world’s top ranking at the French Open.
ELINA SVITOLINA (UKRAINE)
* World ranking: 7
Svitolina captured a decisive victory against defending French Open titlist Coco Gauff in last week’s Italian Open championship, positioning herself among the tournament’s leading favorites at Roland Garros.
The Ukrainian athlete, who has advanced to the French Open quarterfinals on five occasions, also defeated both Rybakina and Iga Swiatek during her Italian Open campaign, delivering a clear message to the top seeds before the year’s second Grand Slam event.
The 31-year-old competitor made it to the Australian Open semifinals in January and has recorded seven victories against top-10 opponents in 2026, as she pursues her first Grand Slam title at the French Open.
JESSICA PEGULA (UNITED STATES)
* World ranking: 5
While continuing her quest for a first Grand Slam championship, Pegula experienced disappointing near-misses in her last two major tournaments, falling in the semifinals at both the U.S. and Australian Opens.
The 32-year-old player attributed her enhanced performance to improvements in her serve, explaining to the Tennis Channel in March that she had changed her approach from emphasizing raw power to incorporating varied spins and better positioning.
The former U.S. Open finalist hopes her modified technique will prove more successful on clay courts at Roland Garros, where she advanced to the quarterfinals in 2022.
MARTA KOSTYUK (UKRAINE)
* World ranking: 15
Kostyuk hasn’t progressed past the French Open’s second round since 2021, but the 23-year-old became an unexpected contender when she claimed the Madrid Open title, securing her first WTA 1000 championship by defeating Mirra Andreeva in the final.
Hip and thigh problems caused her to pull out of the Italian Open this month, but she’s anticipated to enter the French Open healthy, well-rested, and maintaining a perfect clay court record this year with 12 victories and two championships, including the Rouen Open title last month.
MIRRA ANDREEVA (RUSSIA)
* World ranking: 6
Andreeva gained recognition through her semifinal appearance at the 2024 French Open and continued with a quarterfinal showing the following year.
The 19-year-old has demonstrated consistent progress throughout the clay season, capturing the Linz Open title and defeating Swiatek in the Stuttgart Open quarterfinals before advancing to her first WTA 1000 championship match at the Madrid Open this month.
