French Open 2023: Overview, schedule and favourites

The French Open is the second Grand Slam event of the 2023 tennis calendar, after the Australian Open in January. It will take place at his usual venue, the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, from May 28 to June 11.

Rafael Nadal is the defending champion and the most successful male player of all time with 14 singles titles. He is among the favourites again this year, but Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune will all be eyeing the trophy too.

In the women’s category, reigning champion Iga Swiatek has been heavily backed to retain her crown this summer. But Elena Rybakina, Ons Jabeur and Aryna Sabalenka are more than capable of victory if Swiatek slips up.

Here is an overview of the 2023 French Open, containing all the must-know information ahead of the hotly anticipated event, but make sure to also check out our article on the history and fun facts of the French Open.

Schedule

May 28 – May 30 – First round, 11am start time (Central European Time – CET)

May 31 – June 1 – Second round, 11am start time

June 2 – June 3 – Third round, 11am start time

June 4 – June 5 – Fourth round, 11am start time

June 6 – June 7 – Quarter-finals, 12pm start time

June 8 – June 9 – Semi-finals, 2pm start time

June 10 – Women’s singles final, 3pm start time

June 11 – Men’s singles final, 3pm start time

Men’s Singles

As mentioned above, Rafael Nadal is seeking his 15th French Open title at this year’s event. But he will face stiff competition from Novak Djokovic, who said recently that he is aiming to “peak in Paris”.

One shouldn’t ignore either of male tennis’ rising stars, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune, either. The former is ranked as the second-best player in the world at the time of writing, while the 19-year-old Rune reached the quarter-finals last year and is renowned for his ability on clay.

Women’s Singles

Iga Swiatek is the strong favourite to triumph in the women’s singles event. The current world number one has won the French Open in two of the last three seasons, and she also plays her best tennis on clay courts.

If Swiatek does not emerge victorious in June, many fans will back Elena Rybakina to claim the prize. Watch out too for Ons Jabeur, who finished as runner-up at two of the four Grand Slams in 2022.

Courts

The Stade Roland Garros has been the home of the French Open since 1928, the year it was opened. It is home to 20 clay courts, including the three main ones which we have explored in more detail below.

Court Philippe Chatrier

Built in 1928 when the venue was first opened, the Philippe Chatrier is the main court at Roland Garros. Since its renovation in 2019, it can hold 15,225 spectators. Philippe Chatrier is a former tennis player and journalist who also spent 20 years as president of the French Tennis Federation.

Court Suzanne Lenglen

The secondary court at Roland Garros is named after Suzanne Lenglen, a female tennis player who was the very first world No.1 when the rankings system was introduced in 1921 at the start of the Amateur Era. The court seats 10,068 spectators and was built in 1994.

Court Simonne Mathieu

The Court Simonne Mathieu was built in 2019 and serves as the tertiary venue at Roland Garros. It bears the name of Simonne Mathieu, a former tennis player who created and led the Corps of French Volunteers in the Free French Forces. It contains 5,000 seats.

2022 Results

Men’s Singles – Rafael Nadal won the final 6–3, 6–3, 6–0

Women’s Singles – Iga Swiatek beat Coco Gauff, 6–1, 6–3

Men’s Doubles – Marcelo Arevalo / Jean-Julien Rojer beat Ivan Dodig / Austin Krajicek, 6–7, 7–6, 6–3

Women’s Doubles – Caroline Garcia / Kristina Mladenovic beat Coco Gauff / Jessica Pegula, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2

Mixed Doubles – Ena Shibahara / Wesley Koolhof won the final 7–6, 6–2

Men’s Wheelchair Singles – Shingo Kunieda beat Gustavo Fernandez, 6–2, 5–7, 7–5

Women’s Wheelchair Singles – Diede de Groot beat Yui Kamiji, 6–4, 6–1

Men’s Wheelchair Doubles – Alfie Hewett / Gordon Reid beat Gustavo Fernandez / Shingo Kunieda, 7–6, 7–6

Women’s Wheelchair Doubles – Diede de Groot / Aniek van Koot beat Yui Kamiji / Kgothatso Montjane, 7–6, 1–6, [10–8]