Announcement: Roland Garros Qualifying Continues
Today, the final qualifying matches for the French Open will take place on the courts of Paris. Tennis players are vying for the last spots in the main draw of the season's second Grand Slam tournament.
The last tickets are being contested on the Parisian courts: conclusion of Roland Garros 2026 qualifying
Main Event
On Friday, May 22, 2026, the decisive qualifying matches for the season's second Grand Slam tournament are underway on the clay courts of the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Today, the final 16 lucky players—8 men and 8 women—will earn coveted spots in the main draw, where the stars of world tennis await them.
The qualifying tournament started on Monday, May 18, and will last five days. The main draw ceremony took place the day before, on May 21, at 2:00 PM local time. This coming Sunday, May 24, the first-round matches of the main tournament will begin on the Parisian courts, concluding with the women's final on June 6 and the men's final on June 7.
Details and Statistics
Key Results from Qualifying Finals
According to reports from the Parisian courts, the final qualifying round produced several standout results:
Women:
- Sloane Stephens (USA) — former Roland Garros finalist (2018) and US Open champion, confirmed her class by defeating Spain's Leyre Romero Gormas 2-1 in sets. The American's experience proved decisive in a tense match.
- Mayar Sherif (Egypt) confidently dispatched Greet Minnen (Belgium) 2-0, leaving her opponent no chance.
- Ashlyn Krueger (USA) — the 19-year-old American, considered the future of women's tennis, battled past Mary Stoiana 2-1 in a hard-fought match.
- Alina Korneeva also secured her place in the main draw, routing Julia Riera 2-0.
Men:
The men's final matches are taking place on May 21-22. Among the contenders are promising Australians, French hopes, and seasoned fighters.
Latest Semifinal Sensations
Special attention goes to the performance of Katarina Zavatska, who caused a real sensation on her way to the qualifying final. The Ukrainian tennis player (world No. 268) defeated Daria Semenistaya (Latvia, WTA ranking 112) in a three-hour semifinal battle, 6-7, 7-5, 6-2.
Zavatska led 5-2 in the second set but allowed her opponent to level the score before pulling away in the decisive set. This result is a true upset, given the difference in class and ranking.
Context and Significance
Stakes Are Huge: 2026 Prize Money
Roland Garros set a record prize fund in 2026 — €61.723 million. For players coming through qualifying, each round passed means serious money:
| Round | Prize Money (in Euros) |
|-------|------------------------|
| First qualifying round (Q1) | €24,000 |
| Second qualifying round (Q2) | €33,000 |
| Third qualifying round (Q3/Final) | €48,000 |
| First round of main draw | €87,000 |
Thus, just one win separates a qualifying finalist from nearly doubling their prize money (from €48,000 to €87,000).
The singles champions will each receive €2.8 million — 9.8% more than in 2025.
"Last Chance" for Seeded Stars?
Roland Garros qualifying is not only a field for young talents and tour journeymen. It is also a "last train" for former stars whose rankings have fallen below the direct entry threshold. Sloane Stephens' participation in qualifying is a vivid example of how competitive modern tennis is. Just a few years ago, the American played in the final of this very tournament; now she must prove herself through three rounds of qualifying.
What's Next / Next Match Preview
Today, May 22, all qualifying final matches are expected to conclude. Immediately afterward, the names of all 16 lucky players joining the main draw will be announced.
The main Roland Garros tournament starts on Sunday, May 24, 2026. First-round matches will take place on Court Philippe Chatrier, Court Suzanne Lenglen, and the outer courts.
Schedule for the coming days:
- May 24-26: First round (men and women)
- June 6: Women's final
- June 7: Men's final
Editorial Forecast
As qualifying draws to a close, all eyes are already on the main draw ceremony, which took place on May 21. Among the qualifiers, experienced fighters like Sloane Stephens, for whom the Parisian clay has always been a special surface, likely have the best chances of success in the main draw. However, one cannot discount the young "lucky losers," for whom reaching the first round of a major is already a huge achievement and a career springboard. The main intrigue in the coming days is whether the qualifiers can spring surprises against seeded opponents who have lacked match practice this week.
— Editorial Team
