The French Open draw is closing in, and while the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are set to dominate headlines, there are plenty of big stars among the unseeded players at Roland Garros.
Here, we look at five big-name unseeded players the leading title contenders will hope to avoid early on in the tournament.
Ons Jabeur
Current ranking: No 35
A string of injury issues and inconsistent results means that Jabuer finds herself just outside the seeded positions in Paris, though her danger is undeniable.
The Tunisian is a former world No 2, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, and has reached back-to-back quarter-finals at Roland Garros, showcasing her danger on the clay.
It took three sets to beat Jabeur in both her French Open quarter-finals in three sets and she remains a player that the top guns will want to avoid.
Belinda Bencic
Current ranking: No 39
The return of Bencic has been one of the biggest stories of 2025 so far, with the Swiss star defying expectations following her comeback from maternity leave.
Since her return in November 2024, Bencic has triumphed at the Abu Dhabi Open and reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, alongside a quarter-final run at Indian Wells.
Already back in the top 40 of the WTA Rankings, the Swiss has never quite found her best tennis at Roland Garros, but approaches the tournament pressure-free and full of confidence.
Emma Raducanu
Current ranking: No 43
Having withdrawn due to injury in 2023 and for scheduling reasons in 2024, Raducanu will return to the main draw at Roland Garros for the first time in three years.
Attention undoubtedly follows the 22-year-old wherever she goes, but after an uptick in form in recent months, with strong runs in Miami and Rome, expectations may be slightly higher for the Brit.
There is no reason why clay cannot be a good surface for Raducanu, a strong all-court mover on any surface, and the former US Open champion will be one to watch when the unseeded players are placed.
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Naomi Osaka
Current ranking: No 49
After a stop-start comeback since her return from maternity leave at the start of 2024, Osaka appears to have rediscovered some of her best tennis on a surface that has not always been too kind to her.
The Japanese’s run to the title at the WTA 125 event in Saint-Malo was her first title at any level since the 2021 Australian Open, and she backed that up with a solid campaign in Rome.
Osaka so nearly beat eventual champion Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros twelve months ago, and, despite never making it past round three, there is a sense she is growing in confidence on this surface.
Alex Eala
Current ranking: No 69
The stage is set: Alex Eala will make her Grand Slam main draw debut at the French Open this coming fortnight.
Eala has been a name on everyone’s lips since her stunning run at the Miami Open earlier this season, and she has slowly been navigating her way into WTA Tour life since.
A tough loss at the Italian Open should not deter the Filipina heading into the French Open, where she will become the first woman from her nation to play a major main draw match.
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