New Delhi, April 14 (NationPress) The entry list for the main draw of this year's French Open has been released, showcasing an impressive lineup of the globe's top tennis talents, with 100 out of the top 101 players in the WTA rankings confirming their participation in this prestigious clay-court event.

The defending champion, Coco Gauff, makes her return to Paris after clinching her second Grand Slam title at this very venue last year. She is accompanied by former titleholders Jelena Ostapenko, Iga Swiatek, and Barbora Krejcikova, ensuring a formidable presence of past winners.

Swiatek, a four-time winner in Paris, seeks to enhance her legacy by aiming for an unprecedented fifth title, a milestone previously only reached by legends Chris Evert and Stefanie Graf during the Open Era.

Among those vying for their first Roland Garros trophy are Grand Slam champions like World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, reigning Australian Open victor Elena Rybakina, alongside notable names such as Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, Emma Raducanu, Marketa Vondrousova, and Sofia Kenin. Notably, Sabalenka, Vondrousova, and Kenin have all reached the finals in Paris previously.

Recent finalists like Karolina Muchova and Jasmine Paolini are also in the mix, each looking to elevate their performance this year. They are joined by other Grand Slam contenders, including Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Leylah Fernandez, and Zheng Qinwen.

The depth of talent is underscored by the presence of leading players such as Elina Svitolina, Mirra Andreeva, Belinda Bencic, and Elise Mertens among the top entrants.

Among the younger competitors, 18-year-old Austrian Lilli Tagger stands out, making her direct entry into the main draw following her recent rise into the top 100. This marks a significant achievement as she becomes the first girls’ singles champion at Roland Garros to earn a direct main-draw spot the following year since Fernandez.

Completing the direct entries is Ukraine’s Daria Snigur, ranked No. 101, who will participate in all four Grand Slams. The only notable absence from the top 101 is Varvara Gracheva from France, who is currently sidelined due to a leg injury.

Several players are entering via protected rankings, including Anhelina Kalinina, Jil Teichmann, Sara Sorribes Tormo, and Danka Kovinic.

The main draw, consisting of 128 players, will be finalized with the addition of eight wild cards and 16 qualifiers, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive second Grand Slam of the season.