French Open 2026 Qualifying: Dimitrov, Goffin lead men's draw; Andreescu, Pliskova in women's
Synopsis
Two former top-10 stars — Dimitrov and Goffin — are back in Grand Slam qualifying, a rare sight at Roland Garros. Meanwhile, the women's draw reads like a who's who of fallen champions: Andreescu, Pliskova, Stephens, and Badosa all fighting just to reach the main draw. The 2026 French Open qualifying, starting 18 May, is a story about careers at a crossroads.
Key Takeaways
French Open 2026 qualifying runs from 18 to 22 May at Stade Roland-Garros, Paris ; main draw begins 24 May .
Grigor Dimitrov plays Grand Slam qualifying for the first time since the 2011 Australian Open ; opens against Jaime Faria .
David Goffin , a former World No.
7 , faces Chun-Hsin Tseng and is bidding for his 14th Roland Garros main-draw appearance.
Women's qualifying features Bianca Andreescu , Karolina Pliskova , Sloane Stephens , and Paula Badosa ; 16 qualifiers plus 8 wildcards advance to the main draw.
Players must win three matches to secure a main-draw spot; matches are held on Court Suzanne-Lenglen and Courts 2–15 .
Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin headline the men's singles qualifying draw for the French Open 2026, with both former top-10 players bidding for spots in the main draw when qualifying gets underway at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris from 18 May. The qualifying rounds run through 22 May, ahead of the main draw commencing on 24 May.
Dimitrov and Goffin Lead the Men's Field
Grigor Dimitrov, a former World No. 3, enters qualifying for a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2011 Australian Open — a notable step down that underscores how far his ranking has slipped from its peak. He carries a 21-15 career record at Roland Garros and will open against Jaime Faria. His best result at the clay-court major remains a quarter-final run in 2024.
David Goffin, a former World No. 7 and 2016 quarter-finalist, faces Chun-Hsin Tseng in the opening round. The Belgian has a storied history at Roland Garros — he debuted here as a qualifier in 2012, reaching the fourth round before losing to Roger Federer in four sets. He has since competed in the Paris main draw 13 times, aiming to make it 14. Last year, Goffin fell to Alexander Zverev in the second round. Notably, Goffin has received a wild card into qualifying, alongside several teenagers, reflecting Roland-Garros' stated emphasis on youth development.
Other Notable Men's Contenders
Andrea Pellegrino, who recently reached the third round at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome, is bidding for his first Grand Slam main-draw appearance in Paris. The field also includes Hugo Gaston, Pedro Martinez, Otto Virtanen, Daniel Mérida, Jesper de Jong, Emilio Nava, Sho Shimabukuro, and Coleman Wong. Several French players — Florent Bax, Robin Bertrand, and Sascha Gueymard Wayenburg — are also in the draw, consistent with the tournament's tradition of supporting home talent. Players must win three matches to earn a main-draw berth.
Women's Qualifying: Former Champions in the Mix
The women's qualifying section is equally competitive. Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, ex-World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, former US Open winner Sloane Stephens, Paula Badosa, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Martina Trevisan are all in the field. A total of 16 players from qualifying will advance to the women's main draw, supplemented by eight wildcards. Women's qualifying wildcards include Kristina Mladenovic, Tahlia Kokkinis, Daniel Jade, and Daphnée Mpetshi Perricard, along with other young French talents.
Schedule and Venue
Qualifying matches will be played on Court Suzanne-Lenglen and Courts 2 through 15 at Stade Roland-Garros. The five-day qualifying window — 18 to 22 May 2026 — precedes the main draw start on 24 May. With the mix of former Grand Slam champions, clay-court grinders, and emerging talent, the qualifying rounds are shaping up as a compelling prelude to one of tennis' most storied majors.
Point of View
Pliskova, and Stephens were all Grand Slam champions or finalists within the last decade, yet find themselves in qualifying. Roland Garros' decision to hand Goffin a qualifying wild card alongside teenagers reflects a dual agenda: preserve marquee names for broadcast value while nurturing the next generation. Whether that is sporting generosity or commercial calculus is a question worth asking.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does French Open 2026 qualifying start?
French Open 2026 qualifying begins on 18 May 2026 and runs through 22 May at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris. The main draw then starts on 24 May.
Who are the top players in the French Open 2026 men's qualifying draw?
Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin headline the men's qualifying draw. Dimitrov, a former World No. 3, opens against Jaime Faria, while Goffin faces Chun-Hsin Tseng. Other notable entrants include Andrea Pellegrino, Hugo Gaston, and Pedro Martinez.
Who is in the French Open 2026 women's qualifying draw?
The women's qualifying field includes former Grand Slam champions Bianca Andreescu and Sloane Stephens, ex-World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, Paula Badosa, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Martina Trevisan. Sixteen qualifiers and eight wildcards will advance to the main draw.
How many matches must a player win to qualify for the French Open main draw?
Players must win three consecutive qualifying matches to earn a spot in the French Open main draw. Qualifying takes place over five days, from 18 to 22 May 2026.
Why is Grigor Dimitrov playing in French Open qualifying?
Dimitrov's current ranking requires him to go through qualifying rather than receiving direct entry into the main draw. This is his first Grand Slam qualifying appearance since the 2011 Australian Open, highlighting the decline from his peak ranking of World No. 3.
