Coco Gauff names five favourites for the women’s singles French Open title
Coco Gauff has given her insight as to the five favourites for the women’s singles title at the French Open, whilst acknowledging that ‘anyone’ can win the title in Paris.
The American has had a very successful clay-court season, reaching the final of both WTA 1000s – in Madrid [losing to Aryna Sabalenka] and Rome [losing to Jasmine Paolini].
Gauff’s efforts have raised her back up to the world No 2 spot, a ranking which she first achieved in the summer of 2024.
“Obviously, I hope I’m up there, but there’s Jasmine [Paolini], Aryna [Sabalenka], Iga [Swiatek], Qinwen [Zheng], Mirra [Andreeva], there are more I can name that all have the opportunity,” stated Gauff, when asked about who were the favourites for the women’s title at the French Open.
“Who knows, we’ve all seen things like the US Open when Emma [Raducanu] won, so literally anybody can win this tournament.
“I think that’s what makes women’s tennis exciting.
“I think this is why everybody should tune in because, it’s maybe not so much on the men’s side where you have maybe like the top three or four who’s going to win, I think with the women there’s so many possibilities.
“It makes each matchup equally exciting.”
Gauff has had a mostly positive relationship with the Parisian Grand Slam, with her first quarter-final at Grand Slam level arriving at the event in 2021, before reaching the final in 2022.
In the showpiece match, despite her solid form in the rounds prior, the American was simply outclassed by Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-3.
“It was a tough feeling for me, because I felt like I very much underperformed in that final,” Gauff stated, referring to the final against the Pole.
“Not necessarily game-wise, but I was very disappointed in how I approached that match mentally. I just felt like maybe I could never overcome that.
“Then I just turned it into motivation. Once I got on tour, I was, like, ‘Okay. I actually feel really comfortable on this surface.’
“I’ve noticed that when I would go from hard to clay it was pretty easy for me to transition to.
“I think especially with how heavy I hit on my forehand side, I definitely think it helps enhance that. Then obviously athleticism, I feel like it’s very hard to win on this surface if you don’t move well.”
Latest WTA News
Alex Eala makes ‘fangirling’ confession about Rafael Nadal as she recalls first meeting the Spaniard
Iga Swiatek reveals mindset and tactical shifts she has made for French Open title defence
Gauff will open her French Open campaign against Olivia Gadecki, with Anna Kalinskaya a potential third-round opponent, and either Barbora Krejcikova or Ekaterina Alexandrova likely awaiting in the fourth round.
Should the American progress, she would then come up against either Madison Keys or Emma Navarro – if seedings hold- with Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreeva being two of her projected semi-final opponents.
Defending champion Swiatek is in the other half of the draw, as is Aryna Sabalenka – who is the top seed.
Last year, Gauff reached the semi-final stage – losing to Iga Swiatek once again, 6-2, 6-4 after a hard-fought tournament at the French Open.
