Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one and top seed, arrives at the 2026 French Open with doubts over her claycourt form and injury concerns after suffering lower back and hip problems during the clay season in May 2026, which limited her movement and rotation on court [1, 2, 3, 4]. Sabalenka won 26 of her first 27 matches this year before the clay season, but has only recorded four wins and two losses on clay so far, without reaching a semi-final [1, 2]. She called for physio during her third-round loss at the Italian Open, saying, "It's my lower back, connected to the hip, which (was) kind of limiting me from the full rotation. We're just going to have some days off. We're going to spend it on recovery, that's the plan for now" [1].
Sabalenka said on May 21-22 she is now "100% ready" and physically healed after focusing on recovery, adding, "I struggled in the beginning of the claycourt (swing) physically, but right now I feel 100%. We did a great recovery. We focused on recovery and made sure that I'm healed everywhere and I'm ready to go. Right now, physically I'm ready to go" [3]. The 28-year-old also emphasised her improved emotional composure, stating, "My emotions were destroying my game and my level was dropping dramatically when I would just start over-reacting on everything. And also, at the same time, my opponents would see that and they would step in and play better" [4]. Sabalenka reached the 2025 French Open final but lost to Coco Gauff despite winning the first set [1, 2, 3, 4].
Iga Swiatek, ranked world number three and 24 years old, targets a fifth French Open crown and her seventh Grand Slam title overall at Roland Garros 2026 [5, 6]. The Polish star won three consecutive French Open titles from 2022 to 2024, joining Justine Henin and Monica Seles as the only women to achieve this feat [5, 6]. Swiatek served a one-month doping ban that ended December 4, 2024, after a positive test was accepted by the International Tennis Integrity Agency due to contamination of her melatonin medication [5, 6].
Swiatek won Wimbledon in 2025 with a 6-0, 6-0 final win over Amanda Anisimova but struggled in 2025 with early losses and coaching changes [5, 6]. She parted ways with coach Wim Fissette and hired Francisco Roig in 2026. While showing gradual improvement on clay this season, Swiatek has yet to win a title [5, 6]. She retired in tears from the Madrid Open with a gastrointestinal illness and lost to Elina Svitolina in the Rome semi-finals [5, 6].
At the 2026 French Open, Swiatek will face tough competition including Sabalenka and world number two Elena Rybakina [5, 6]. Sabalenka stressed her readiness to compete, saying, "All I can say that I'm ready to fight. Of course, I hope to do a little bit better than I did last year" [3] and "I think all of us are here just for one reason... it's all about being physically and mentally healthy, to go for it, and to be ready to fight" [4].
With Sabalenka's recovery confirmed and Swiatek regaining form amid health and coaching challenges, attention now turns to the opening matches at Roland Garros, where both will seek to advance and challenge for the title [1, 5, 3, 2, 6, 4].
