Roland-Garros 2026 qualifying got underway on Monday May 18 with a field packed with former Grand Slam champions and ex-Top 10 players, all fighting for 32 spots in the main draw.
Grigor Dimitrov headlines the men's section. The former world No. 3, now 35, has not played Grand Slam qualifying since the 2011 Australian Open. Fifteen years later, the Bulgarian is determined to earn his place in Paris, where he reached the quarter-finals in 2024. He opens against Portugal's Jaime Faria in what promises to be a stern first test.
David Goffin, a former quarter-finalist at Roland-Garros, is another high-profile name in the men's draw. The Belgian is chasing a 14th appearance in the main draw and faces Chinese Taipei's Chun-Hsin Tseng in the opening round.
The women's qualifying is equally loaded with pedigree. US Open champions Bianca Andreescu and Sloane Stephens, along with former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, are all vying for a place in the main draw. Paula Badosa, once ranked as high as No. 2 in the world, adds further star power to the women's field.
Daily attendance has been raised to 20,000 for qualifying week, reflecting growing fan interest in these early rounds where former champions rub shoulders with rising talent. Qualifying runs through Friday May 22, with the main draw starting on Saturday May 24.
