Aryna Sabalenka enters the 2025 French Open as the top-ranked woman in the world and the most successful singles player of the season so far. The 27-year-old has already claimed three WTA titles this year—more than any other player, male or female.
She arrives in Paris fresh off a powerful performance in Madrid, where she lifted her ninth career WTA 1000 trophy and the 20th singles title of her career. Sabalenka has proven she can dominate on any surface. But one big achievement still eludes her: a French Open final.
Despite her power and aggressive baseline game, Sabalenka holds only a 33% win rate in clay-court finals and has never reached the final at Roland-Garros. Still, she has adapted well to clay in recent seasons and is seen as the player to beat. Her goal in Paris is clear—win a third career Grand Slam.
Standing in her way is Iga Swiatek, the three-time defending champion and widely known as the “queen of clay.” Swiatek has the best clay-court stats on the WTA Tour and is chasing her fourth straight French Open crown. If she wins, she would match a historic achievement not seen in over a century.
However, Swiatek has struggled this season, with early exits in Stuttgart and Rome. While she hasn’t found her best form on clay yet, she remains the most dangerous player at Roland-Garros when at her best.
One of the most confident players heading into Paris is Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. A finalist here in 2024, Paolini recently won the Italian Open and now sits at world No. 4 with a strong 10-2 clay record this year. She also won doubles gold at the Olympics and is in top form.
Another player to watch is Zheng Qinwen. The world No. 8 has had a tough season but hopes to bounce back on clay. Olympic silver medallist Mirra Andreeva, now the sixth seed, is also a strong contender.
And don’t count out Coco Gauff. The American star made the French Open final at just 18 in 2022. Now 21, Gauff reached back-to-back finals in Madrid and Rome and is hungry for her first major clay title.
With Sabalenka in peak form and a field full of proven champions and rising stars, the 2025 French Open women’s draw is set for high drama on the red clay.
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