The world’s best start to arrive in Paris ahead of the second major of the year
It’s a treat for lucky Opening Week ticket holders to sit just a few metres from the stars of the sport as they begin their preparations ahead of Sunday's first round matches at the second Grand Slam of the season.
From the moment visitors were allowed through the gates at 9.30am, a stream of major champions, title contenders and top 10 players were going through their practice routines on the Roland-Garros show courts.
Ten years on from his first of three men's singles trophies at Roland-Garros, Novak Djokovic arrived to a hero’s welcome.
Tapping his heart as he strode onto Court Philippe-Chatrier, the 38-year-old was evidently delighted to be back inside the stadium where he also secured Olympic gold two years ago.
The Serbian was joined by world No.3 Alexander Zverev. Going through an extensive resistance band routine with fitness trainer Jez Green, it appears 2024 finalist Zverev has shrugged off the back issue that kept him out of Hamburg this week.
Chants of 'Nole, Nole, Nole!' rang around the stands as Djokovic and Zverev clattered the ball with such clean and crisp precision, dialled in from the very first strikes.
Earlier women's reigning champion Coco Gauff returned to Roland-Garros to get ready for her title defence.
The American noticed a photo of herself lifting Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen on the walls backstage and posted it to her Instagram account with a simple message 'back.'
Gauff did her training over on the greenhouse-surrounded Court Simonne-Mathieu, fine-tuning her game following Saturday’s thrilling Rome final, when she lost narrowly 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2 to to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina.
Back on Chatrier and four-time Roland-Garros champion Iga Swiatek was given a raucous reception by fans for her high-intensity hit with American Hailey Baptiste.
Swiatek is about to enter her opening major under the tutelage of Francisco Roig, who was an integral figure in the coaching setup of the Pole’s idol Rafael Nadal for two decades.
The groundstaff finished sweeping the court (and Nadal’s glorious on-court celebratory plaque installed last year) before the American-Polish duo began trading during some mesmerising rallies.
One particular exchange had Swiatek sending Baptiste, a recent Madrid semi-finalist, side-to-side until the world No.3 carved away a sumptuous angled volley.
Next it was Baptiste’s turn to dazzle with some rocket return winners and a spectacular attempt to laser a single-handed backhand through the narrow gap between the umpire’s chair and net post. It was mightily close – the American is looking sharp!
Roland-Garros will forever be a sacred place for China's Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen. The Chinese superstar hit with world No.6 Amanda Anisimova, breaking for chats with coach and Spanish Roland-Garros 2002 champion Albert Costa.
Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina delighted fans by smacking a selection of balls into the stands at the end of a businesslike session.
ROLAND-GARROS
18 May - 7 June 2026
