French Open women’s singles wide open as Iga Swiatek struggles
Swiatek’s slump and rising stars set the stage for one of the most unpredictable French Opens in years.
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| Employees set up the net on Court Philippe-Chatrier ahead of the French Open 2025 at the Roland Garros complex in Paris on May 21, 2025. Photo by Julien De Rosa/AFP |
By Adila Ghina and Randy Ahmad
The French Open women’s singles competition is shaping up to be one of the most open and competitive in recent memory. Unlike previous years where Iga Swiatek entered Roland Garros as a dominant force, the Polish star’s recent slump has opened the door for a growing list of contenders to vie for the prestigious clay-court crown. The 2025 French Open women’s singles tournament kicks off this weekend in Paris without a clear front-runner.
Iga Swiatek, once dubbed the ‘Queen of clay’, has not reached a single tour-level final since her third straight Roland Garros title nearly a year ago. The four-time champion’s drop in form has been accompanied by the rise of several players, including Aryna Sabalenka, Jasmine Paolini, and teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva, who are each looking to seize the moment in Paris.
Jasmine Paolini leads the charge of new contenders
Jasmine Paolini stunned the tennis world last week by winning the Italian Open in Rome, defeating Coco Gauff to clinch her first WTA 1000 title. The 28-year-old Italian became the eighth different player this season to reach a WTA 1000 final, highlighting the increasing parity in the women's game. Her victory on home soil has elevated her confidence heading into the French Open, where she is seeded fourth.
Paolini’s run in Rome was not only a career milestone but also an indication of the shifting landscape at the top of the WTA. Her strong clay-court game and tactical intelligence make her a legitimate threat in Paris, particularly in the absence of a dominant Swiatek.
Aryna Sabalenka rises to world number one
Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka has solidified her status as the world’s top-ranked player after bouncing back from a disappointing loss in the Australian Open final to Madison Keys. Since then, she has captured titles in Miami and Madrid, showcasing her resilience and hunger to improve.
“I got really hungry and angry — angry in a good way,” Sabalenka said of her response to the Australian Open setback. “It kind of explained to me that you have to really work hard in finals and you have to earn your victories. It was a good push for me.”
Yet despite her recent form, Sabalenka has never reached a final at Roland Garros. Her quarter-final loss to Zheng Qinwen in Rome has left questions about her consistency on clay. Should the draw play out as expected, she could face Swiatek in the quarter-finals — a match that could prove pivotal in shaping the women’s draw.
Coco Gauff aims to break final hoodoo
Coco Gauff’s deep runs in Madrid and Rome have restored her to the world number two ranking and secured her the second seed in Paris. The 21-year-old American, a finalist at Roland Garros in 2022, is still searching for her first title since last year’s WTA Finals. Her powerful baseline game and growing experience make her a dangerous opponent, and she enters the tournament eager to break her runner-up streak in big events.
“Hopefully I can get to the final in Roland Garros and maybe the ‘Third time lucky’ thing is a real thing,” Gauff remarked following her loss to Paolini in Rome.
Andreeva and the youth movement
Teenage prodigy Mirra Andreeva has quickly emerged as one of the sport’s brightest talents. Now 18, the Russian became the youngest-ever winner of a WTA 1000 title with her Dubai triumph in February, followed by an even more impressive performance at Indian Wells. With deep runs in Madrid and Rome and a semi-final appearance in last year’s French Open, Andreeva enters Paris with high expectations.
Her compatriot Diana Shnaider, 21, is another rising Russian player poised for a breakout. On the verge of breaking into the world’s top 10, Shnaider has shown a steady progression that could culminate in a deep Roland Garros run.
Zheng Qinwen and Alexandra Eala present major threats
Zheng Qinwen, who defeated Sabalenka en route to the Rome semi-finals, is seeded eighth and arrives in Paris brimming with confidence. The 22-year-old Chinese star, who captured Olympic gold on clay last summer, is now aiming to add a Grand Slam title to her résumé.
Meanwhile, Alexandra Eala of the Philippines has emerged as a true dark horse. At just 19, she became the first Filipino to crack the top 100, thanks in large part to her stunning Miami Open run that included victories over Keys and Swiatek. Although unseeded, Eala’s aggressive style and giant-killing instincts make her a player top seeds will want to avoid early in the draw.
Jessica Pegula and other veterans hope to challenge
American Jessica Pegula has quietly returned to her career-high ranking of world number three. While she has only once progressed beyond the third round at Roland Garros, her consistency and maturity could prove advantageous in a chaotic women’s draw.
Former Roland Garros finalist Barbora Krejcikova — the last woman other than Swiatek to win the title — will also look to rekindle her form on the clay. Though not among the top seeds this year, her all-court game and experience make her a potential sleeper pick.
Swiatek faces tough road to redemption
Despite her recent slump, Swiatek cannot be discounted. The 23-year-old has a formidable record on clay and remains one of the game’s best returners. However, her lack of recent finals appearances suggests something is amiss. If she can overcome early-round nerves and rediscover her rhythm, Swiatek could still be a major factor in the latter stages of the tournament.
Yet for the first time since 2020, the Polish star enters Roland Garros without the aura of invincibility. Should she falter again, the French Open women’s singles title will be up for grabs, potentially ushering in a new Grand Slam champion and further reshaping the WTA hierarchy.
A wide-open battle for the clay crown
The 2025 French Open women’s singles tournament is more unpredictable than it has been in years. With Swiatek’s struggles, Sabalenka’s inconsistency on clay, and a new generation of players surging toward the top, the stage is set for a dramatic fortnight in Paris. Whether it’s an established star returning to form or a young gun making a breakthrough, the women’s draw promises intrigue, surprises, and potentially a new name etched on the Roland Garros trophy.
As the red clay of Paris awaits, all eyes will be on the first few rounds to see who seizes the momentum in this high-stakes, open-ended tournament.
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