Aryna Sabalenka’s dominance on clay has shown cracks. World number one holds over 1,000 ranking points but aims higher than her runner-up finish in Paris last year.
Jannik Sinner also hunts first Roland Garros title. Sabalenka swept WTA 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami, winning three of four tournaments this season.
Quarter-final exit at Madrid and third-round loss at Italian Open followed. “My body was limiting me,” she said after a quarterfinal loss to Hailey Baptiste.
The draw looks wide open. Rybakina, who beat Sabalenka last year’s WTA Finals and Melbourne final, will be main contender despite never progressing beyond the eighth round at Roland Garros.
Iga Swiatek, once ‘queen of clay’, shows form for deep run after struggling recently but new coach Francisco Roig could help her rediscover best tennis on surface she dominated early 2020s.
Defending champion Coco Gauff enters with strong Rome run but will not cede title lightly. Elina Svitolina won two titles this year, including first 1000-level crown in eight years at Italian Open, and is confident for deep run after fifth-place finish last year.
But tough players are there to beat. “There are really tough players,” Svitolina said.