Champions

Today we celebrate the newest French Open champions as they conquered the clay at one of the most talked-about French Open tournaments in recent memory. The men's and women's winners were not the outright favorites, but both were good bets to go deep in the tournament.

That is one of the things that makes Roland Garros so special. Unlike the other Grand Slam tournaments, the French Open has a way of rewarding players who are willing to suffer through difficult moments with a little bit of luck.  Clay demands patience, fitness, discipline, and belief. There are no shortcuts. Players must earn every point, every game, and eventually every victory.

On the women's side, we celebrate Mirra Andreeva, the nineteen-year-old who never lost a set in the tournament.  She showcased her drive and determination to win her first grand slam, as many experts predicted.  Throughout the two weeks, she defeated established stars and rising contenders to produce a flawless display of straight-set tennis.  Match after match, she found solutions when the pressure was highest, displaying the resilience required to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen.

On the men's side, we celebrate Alexander Zverev, who finally won his first grand slam title, taking his name off the list of "best players to have never won a slam".  He overcame grueling baseline exchanges and experienced emotional victories throughout his seven matches that seemed to swing with every set. His first serving percentage of 75% was one of the primary reasons why he was able to hold the "Coupe de Mousquetaires trophy.

While much of the attention entering Paris centered on the favorites, the new champion’s built confidence round after round.  What stood out most this year was the unprecedented heatwave during the first week and the quality of competition the

second week. The gap between the top players and the rest of the field continues to shrink. Every round felt meaningful because there were very few easy matches. Players were forced to earn their place in the draw, and many of the tournament's most memorable moments came from competitors who never reached the final weekend.

As tennis fans, we often focus on the champions, but the French Open reminds us that greatness is also found in the journey. It is found in the player who fights through five sets. It is found in the young contender announcing their arrival on the sport's biggest stage. It is found in the veteran refusing to give in despite the odds.

Now that the clay court season has reached its conclusion, the tour will quickly shift to grass courts and an entirely different style of tennis. The long rallies of Paris will soon be replaced by the fast points and short exchanges of grass court tennis. Yet the lessons of Roland Garros remain the same. Success belongs to those willing to stay patient, trust their preparation, and compete when conditions become uncomfortable.

Congratulations to our 2026 French Open champions. Their names are now forever part of the history of Roland Garros, a place where champions are not simply crowned—they are forged.