Williams has not confirmed the reports, but she became eligible to return to competition on February 22 after completing six months back in the anti-doping testing pool. Roddick suggested that this is definitely a strong indication that the 23-time Grand Slam champion is seriously considering another comeback. “If you enter doping protocols, you’re looking to come back,” Roddick said on the podcast.

Earlier this year, a similar view was also expressed by Sascha Bajin, Serena’s former hitting partner and coach, who indicated he believed a return to competition remained a realistic possibility.

Although many believed Williams played the final match of her career at the 2022 US Open, the American has never officially embraced the word “retirement.” After losing to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round in New York, she instead described herself as “evolving away” from tennis.

Meanwhile, older sister Venus Williams has continued making occasional appearances on the WTA Tour over the last few seasons. Venus, who is 15 months older than Serena, has already played seven tournaments this year. Her most recent singles victory came in Washington last July, shortly after celebrating her 45th birthday.

Venus had also been scheduled to compete in women’s doubles at this year’s French Open alongside Hailey Baptiste, but the pair withdrew from the tournament on Thursday. Organizers did not provide an official reason for the withdrawal, although Baptiste had been forced to retire from her second-round singles match against Wang Xiyu after appearing to injure her left leg late in the opening set.

The WTA returned to Queen’s Club in 2025 for the first time since 1973, bringing women’s tennis back to the historic London venue after more than five decades. The 2026 edition of the WTA 500 HSBC Championships is scheduled to take place June 8-14. The American great would need a wildcard, but there are two available for the grass court event.

All eyes were on the start of the Osaka vs. Siegemund first-round match on Tuesday at Roland Garros, but quite frankly, the focus was less on tennis and more on the anticipated fashion extravaganza set to be served by the Japanese star. And she delivered once again, stepping onto court in a glittering black corset paired with a floor-length pleated skirt, alongside a sequined gold Nike tennis dress reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower at night.

Naomi Osaka rocking another custom-made Grand Slam dress in Paris. pic.twitter.com/WsMBxMIh0e

— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) May 26, 2026

While the world buzzed about Osaka’s catwalk-like entrance, Siegemund was absolutely unimpressed.

”I couldn’t care less,” she told TNT Sports after losing the match 6-3 7-6(3). ”I come here to play tennis, not to put on a fashion show. And if others want to put on a fashion show, then they should go ahead and do it. That’s totally fine with me.”

She added that her issue lies elsewhere in the sport’s regulations, arguing that “bigger names are treated differently”: “I find something else problematic. In our sport, at every tournament they count every second, right up until you’ve unpacked your water bottle. But she can have a minute and a half to change. I have a problem with that, because these rules simply exist and they are what they are – every second is now being watched so closely for us.”

On a hot spring day in Paris, Gauff took extra measures to keep the feel of her Head racquets consistent by cooling them between use. Former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki later explained the reasoning behind the move in response to an Instagram post shared by an Australian tennis content creator.

“String tension changes with different weather,” Lisicki wrote. “When it’s hot, tension tends to drop quicker than usual. The racquet bags are always in direct sun, so she wanted to be extra safe and put them in the fridge… I wonder how it feels when you take it out and play with it right away. I never tried it.”

Calor, nivel:

Coco Gauff guardando las raquetas en la cámara frigorífica 🤣#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/AUiNS8lVNL

— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) May 26, 2026

Higher temperatures can soften racquet strings and reduce tension more quickly, which may slightly alter control and ball response. By keeping the racquets cool, players can help maintain more consistent string performance during matches played in the heat.

Gauff, seeded fourth at Roland Garros this year, also revealed after the match that she had been involved in a minor car accident on her way to the stadium after her vehicle bumped into a pole, causing her juice to spill inside the car. Fortunately, nobody was hurt and the incident did not affect her performance on court.

The 2025 Roland Garros champion will next face Egypt’s Mayar Sherif in the second round on Thursday.

For her opening-round clash against Laura Siegemund, the Japanese star arrived in a dramatic layered look featuring a glittering black corset and a flowing pleated skirt that swept gracefully across the Paris clay. Underneath, she revealed a shimmering gold Nike dress accented with sparkling sequined stripes that caught the afternoon sunlight from every angle.

Naomi Osaka, tennis resident’s fashion icon. pic.twitter.com/QCubXEbs1l

— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) May 26, 2026

The outer black creations were designed by Kevin Germanier, the avant-garde couturier celebrated for transforming recycled materials into high-fashion statement pieces. The shimmering gold dress underneath, reminiscent of a glamorous figure skating costume, was custom made by Nike.

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Commenting on the look, Osaka compared herself to Paris’ most famous landmark: “It’s very couture and also funny enough, I feel like I’m, you know, the Eiffel Tower at night when it’s sparkly? I kind of think I look like that a little bit.”

Naomi Osaka rocking another custom-made Grand Slam dress in Paris. pic.twitter.com/WsMBxMIh0e

— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) May 26, 2026

The four-time Grand Slam champion backed up her eye-catching entrance with a solid performance on court, overcoming Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-3 7-6(3) to move into the second round. Next up, she will meet Donna Vekic, as she targets a return to the Roland Garros third round for the first time since 2019.

🎾 Dominante do primeiro ao último ponto, Aryna Sabalenka entrou com tudo em Roland-Garros e celebrou a vitória desta forma 💃 pic.twitter.com/FVxllgs5xL

— Eurosport Portugal (@EurosportTV_Por) May 26, 2026

Sabalenka defeated Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4 6-2 to extend her remarkable streak of first-round Grand Slam victories to 22 in a row. The top seed dictated play from the opening games, surging to dominant leads in both sets (4-0 in the first and 5-0 in the second). Yet alongside the tennis, fans couldn’t stop talking about the glamorous details of her Roland Garros look.

The conversation surrounding Russian player Oksana Selekhmeteva debuting the same “exclusive” Nike dress earlier in the tournament quickly faded once Sabalenka stepped onto the court dripping in diamonds and commanding the spotlight. The centerpiece of Sabalenka’s outfit was a layered necklace suite created by Material Good, the New York luxury jeweler she has collaborated with since the 2026 Australian Open.

 

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A post shared by Aryna Sabalenka (@arynasabalenka)

According to details surrounding the piece, the jewelry included an extraordinary 23 carats of diamonds alongside 200 carats of rich crimson garnets chosen specifically as a tribute to the famous Paris clay courts. This latest fashion statement continues a growing trend of luxury jewelry moments in Sabalenka’s life. Earlier this year, after getting engaged to Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis, the Belarusian star unveiled a striking 12-carat oval-cut engagement ring designed by ISA Grutman Jewelry, with estimates placing its value at at least $500,000.

Sabalenka herself admitted after Tuesday’s win at Roland Garros that opening rounds at Grand Slams are always tricky, regardless of the scoreline. She typically becomes more relaxed and dangerous as the event progresses, even if there are no truly easy matches at the highest level.

Before Monday’s upset, the 23-year-old Zheng held a perfect 4-0 record at Roland Garros, highlighted by a fourth-round breakthrough on her 2022 debut and a quarterfinal run last season. In fact, outside of Wimbledon, where she suffered three first-round exits, she had never previously lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam.

World No. 114 Chwalinska arrived at Roland Garros riding strong momentum after capturing the WTA 125 title in Oeiras last month, and the qualifier carried that form into Paris by defeating Zheng for just the second Grand Slam main-draw victory of her career.

Wearing a light pink Nike tank-and-skirt combination that evoked a ballet-inspired look, Zheng found herself quickly on the back foot, falling 4-1 behind in the opening set. She briefly recovered to draw level at 4-4, but momentum shifted again as Chwalinska closed out the match by taking every remaining game.

Zheng has been working her way back after elbow surgery last July, briefly attempting a return two months later before not competing again until February 2026. This season, she has posted a 7-6 win-loss record as she continues to regain rhythm on tour.

Before Roland Garros, the 2024 Australian Open finalist expressed clear excitement about returning to the tournament, describing it as a “dream place” for her:

“I feel coming back here is like coming back to my dream place. Because I had the best experience so far in 2024, and really good experience as well last year. Like I said, I’m trying to keep my concentration as long as I can in practice, and I’m also curious to see what I’m going to do this year after coming back from injury. Because I really love to play here in Roland Garros, and as I always say, I want to stay as long as I can.”

And she is the only who got this problem. Jannik, Carlos and even Qinwen, nobody wears their kit . https://t.co/KdbPgE5tdJ

— SandrineKem🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@SandrineK92) May 24, 2026

Facing Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk on Day 1 of the French Open, Selekhmeteva raised eyebrows by taking the grand dress debut from Sabalenka. The dress, which brings the fluid lines of ballet costumes onto tennis courts, was believed to be reserved only for the top seed. At least, that’s what everyone thought.

The moment quickly went viral on X, where fans reacted strongly to the unexpected kit debut. “Nike has to stop making Aryna dirty like that…” one user wrote, while another posted in disbelief: “Why did they give Sabalenka’s ‘custom’ kit to Oksana Selekhmeteva????”

Interestingly, this is not the first time Selekhmeteva has done something like this. It also happened at the 2025 US Open, when she ended up unveiling Sabalenka’s dress during qualifying. I don’t remember the Belarusian complained or commented on it.

Speaking ahead of the French Open, Osaka, who has often described herself as shy and introverted, opened up about why fashion has become such an important form of self-expression for her. She addressed the question many people find puzzling: how someone who considers themselves reserved can still enjoy wearing bold, attention-grabbing outfits.

Naomi Osaka at Grand Slams: Absolute cinema, every time. pic.twitter.com/G4bpH0WD0g

— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) January 20, 2026

“I feel like fashion, for me, I don’t talk a lot, so that way I can talk through my clothes. That means I can be as loud with colours or patterns or fabric as I want,” the former world No. 1 said in Paris.

“I definitely would say I’m doing something here too. But I think that’s the fun part. I feel like we lost that a little in tennis. I always tell people I grew up with [about] Serena’s and Venus’ grand reveals. I literally can look at a picture and probably tell you what year that outfit came from.

“I know there are some kids or some people that are similar to me that hopefully feel that same way about my outfits. I am a little dramatic when it comes to my fashion sense.”

The four-time Grand Slam champion begins her French Open campaign on Tuesday against world No. 47 Laura Siegemund in the first round, which is when fans will get to see her latest fashion spectacle unveiled on the Paris clay.

Osaka’s Nike apparel is available for purchase at Tennis Warehouse.

 

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A post shared by Zheng Qinwen (@zhengqinwen_tennis)

The Chinese star, who will face Poland’s Maja Chwalinska in the first round on Monday, is set to debut the light magenta version of the Nike Summer Slam Tank and matching Summer Slam Woven Skirt in Paris. The look draws subtle inspiration from ballet costumes, featuring lightweight fabrics, body-skimming silhouettes, and a wrap-style skirt that enhances its graceful movement.

The tank features a breathable mesh overlay and an open back panel for added ventilation, while the skirt is designed with an overlapping front panel and a flouncy cut that adds fluidity on court. The same design also comes in a mint colorway.

In her photo carousel, Zheng also gives a closer look at her coordinated accessories, including a pink bow, pearl details, and a white “ballet shoe” pendant on her tennis bag. A glimpse of her Nike Vapor shoes completes the set.

In 2025, Baptiste reached her first WTA Tour quarterfinal in Auckland and her maiden Grand Slam Round of 16 at Roland Garros, breaking into the Top 50. This season, she sent shockwaves through Madrid as she saved six match points to stun world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on clay to reach her first WTA 1000 semifinal. Before this career-defining moment, Baptiste also scored a statement win over 2025 Roland Garros champion Jasmine Paolini in the third round of the Madrid tournament. Her rapid rise is reflected in her current ranking of world No. 26.

The 24-year-old opens her Roland Garros campaign today against former champion Barbora Krejcikova, a proven force in both singles and doubles. Baptiste is part of a strong American contingent in Paris, with 37 players in the singles draw, the most since 1995.

@alex.eala

I’m 21.🥹

♬ original sound – Lucas 🦇

While in town for the French Open, Eala shared a TikTok on Saturday showing the Eiffel Tower glowing in the background, captioned simply “I’m 21.”

 

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A post shared by Alexandra Eala (@alex.eala)

Eala’s rise on the WTA Tour has been rapid. In 2025 she produced a breakout season highlighted by a Miami Open semifinal run, a WTA 125 title at Guadalajara, a maiden WTA final at Eastbourne, and a historic US Open victory where she became the first Filipino player to win a Grand Slam main-draw singles match.

At Roland Garros, the world No. 38 is still gaining experience on clay, having recorded a first-round singles exit and a second-round doubles appearance in 2025 as she continues to develop consistency on the surface. This year in Paris she opens her campaign against American teenager Iva Jovic, the 17th seed in the draw.

The brand’s latest promo image shows the Australian athlete in the Penguin Summer Racer Tank Polo and Penguin Summer Asymmetrical Pleat Skirt. The top updates a classic silhouette with a sporty V-neck design, ribbed striped collar, piping accents, a modest racerback cut, contrast armhole binding, and printed side panels. The matching skirt features a pleated stripe panel at the front, an elastic waistband, and built-in shorts with side pockets.

 

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A post shared by Original Penguin (@originalpenguin)

Predominantly white with subtle purple accents, the look stands out as an unconventional choice for Roland Garros, a tournament typically associated with navy palettes or tones that echo the red clay courts.

Navarro remains unbeaten in WTA singles finals with a perfect 3-0 record, having previously lifted titles at 2024 Hobart International and 2025 Merida Open.

After an unexpectedly difficult start to the season, marked by illness and multiple withdrawals over recent months, Navarro rediscovered her form in Strasbourg. The tournament marked her first-ever run beyond the quarterfinals at a tour-level clay-court event, and she capitalized fully by storming to the WTA 500 crown. Along the way, she earned the 100th tour-level win of her career with a second-round victory over third seed Iva Jovic.

Promoting FP Movement apparel, the world No. 39 Navarro dominated the opening set with aggressive shot placement and near-error-free tennis before weathering a strong response from wildcard Mboko, who used effective drop shots to force a deciding set after saving a championship point in the second. Navarro regained control in the third behind dominant serving and composure under pressure, capitalizing on Mboko’s growing unforced errors to secure the title in her best form of the season.

With the title run, Navarro is projected to climb 14 spots to No. 25 in the WTA rankings. (source: WTA)

 

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The “Get the Glow” campaign encourages a shift away from purchasing beauty products and toward investing in physical and emotional well-being through fitness, redefining “glow” as something achieved from the inside out.

As players prepare for Roland Garros, Bencic attended Asics’ gathering in Paris, wearing the Summer Match Tank and Summer Match Woven Short, styled with a matching navy jacket. Turkish WTA player Zeynep Sonmez was also there.

 

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Besides sharing behind-the-scenes photos from Asics’ Paris get-together on Instagram, world No. 11 Bencic also posted new photoshoot images featuring a fresh navy tennis dress, distinct from her previously revealed Paris look — the Summer Match Pleat Dress. In addition, she showcased the Asics Solution Speed FF 4, highlighting the latest footwear from her on-court setup.

“It felt natural to return to a sport that’s so deeply rooted in our DNA,” Greg Korbas, Reebok’s director of product marketing for performance footwear, told Forbes. “This wasn’t about entering something new, it was about re-engaging with a space we helped shape, with a more modern point of view.”

Reebok famously became the first brand to outfit Venus Williams professionally when it signed the future tennis legend to a reported $12 million deal in 1995. Williams was just 15 years old at the time, and the groundbreaking agreement marked the first eight-figure endorsement deal for a Black female athlete. Jelena Jankovic and Amelie Mauresmo, both former WTA world No. 1 players, were among the last top-tier athletes to compete in Reebok apparel on tour, still wearing the brand in the late 2000s.

 

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The brand’s long-awaited tennis comeback officially began earlier this year when world No. 49 Magdalena Frech debuted Reebok apparel and footwear on court in late February, introducing the Phase Evo in competition for the first time. Reebok has now formally unveiled the partnership across social media, while also confirming that the Phase Evo will launch on July 10.

According to Korbas, the shoe is designed to support real match play and athletes of all levels. Drawing from the company’s experience across other athletic categories, the brand refined its technology specifically for tennis while still honoring the sport’s heritage.

“Having an athlete at the center of this return ensures the product is grounded in real insight and credibility, not assumption,” Korbas said. “It also signals intent, that we’re not just participating in tennis, we’re committed to it and ensuring top performance innovation is at the heart of everything we do.”

Playing Rome for the fifth time, with her previous best result being a quarterfinal run in 2021, Pegula added another career first by dismantling Swiss qualifier and world No. 160 Masarova without losing a game, in just 61 minutes.

The fifth seed opened the match with a love break and closed the opening set with a love hold. Although the games in the second set were more competitive, Pegula never faced a break point and comfortably sealed victory in the pair’s first career meeting.

For a place in the Rome quarterfinals, Pegula will face qualifier Anastasia Potapova, who reached her maiden WTA 1000 semifinal at the recent Mutua Madrid Open. So far, the American has dominated their head-to-head, beating Potapova in all of their previous five meetings.

Currently on 112 WTA 1000 career wins, Pegula has drawn level with Venus Williams for the second-most WTA 1000 victories by an American woman since the format was introduced in 2009. Only Serena Williams, with 148 wins, stands ahead of them on the list.

When she announced in December 2025 that the 2026 season would be her last on tour, Cirstea wrote: “I still have lots of things I want to improve, I have goals and ambitions, so I hope to be able to achieve some of them next year and finish this wonderful career on a high note and on my terms.” Saturday’s 2-6 6-3 7-5 triumph over Sabalenka may stand as the perfect high point of the Romanian’s 20-year professional career.

Cirstea had never previously won a set in six matches against a top-ranked player, including a 6-3 6-3 loss to Sabalenka at the Brisbane International in January. Today in Rome, after cruising through the opening set and moving ahead by a break in the second, Sabalenka appeared firmly on course for another routine win.

However, the match turned sharply as the top seed’s level dropped and Cirstea capitalized on the opportunity. The Romanian completed the comeback after 2 hours and 14 minutes, reeling off six of the final seven games of the second set after trailing 2-0, before breaking serve three times in the tense decider.

This is Sabalenka’s earliest exit from a tournament in more than a year.

Currently ranked No. 27, Cirstea is enjoying one of the best seasons of her career, compiling a 25-7 record and moving within six spots of her career-high ranking of No. 21, which she first achieved 13 years ago. Although this was her first victory over a reigning world No. 1, it was not her first win against Sabalenka. Cirstea previously defeated the Belarusian in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Miami Open, when Sabalenka was ranked No. 2 in the world.

One of Cirstea’s four career WTA singles titles came on clay, at the 2021 Istanbul Cup, where she defeated Elise Mertens in the final. (via: WTA, photos: Jimmie48)

 

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On a clay court and holding her Yonex racquet, Lys showcases one of the standout looks from the new collection: a lime green zip-front tank featuring a ribbed bomber-style collar and athletic detailing. The vivid top is paired with a coordinating dark green skirt crafted from woven diamond taffeta with micro pleating, built-in shorts, and practical side pockets. The tonal green palette pops visually against the warm clay surface.

In addition to the green version featured in the campaign imagery, the Lacoste skirt is also available in classic navy and white colorways.

For players and fans who prefer a more streamlined silhouette, the collection also includes a lime green dress inspired by the same design lines as the separates.

As always, Lacoste blends elegance and performance, offering a subtle modern take on a timeless sporty aesthetic. The collection includes signature branding and design details tied to the clay-court season.

This article is an independent editorial feature and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the French Open (Roland Garros). Some links are affiliate links.

 

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In a transition from an elegant black satin night ensemble to her on-court outfit, the Belarusian leaned fully into the same sultry vibe. “My Nike supersuit for Roland Garros,” she wrote in the caption. The Nike Summer Slam Dress features a bold red leotard layered beneath a black mesh dress.

Nike says the design “balances the grittiness of France’s biggest tournament with power and grace,” bringing “fluid lines of ballet costumes to center court.” Stretchy undershorts with pockets keep the piece practical and comfortable.

Recently engaged and stacking WTA titles and Grand Slams from the top ranking position, Sabalenka is fully embracing her seductive, feminine energy, and now her tennis outfit exudes the same vibe.

Shop the Nike Paris collection at Tennis Warehouse.

Playing her first WTA 1000 final, Kostyuk took control early, breaking serve to lead 4–2 in the opening set and eventually closing it despite a brief stumble on her first set point. The second set proved more competitive, with both players trading breaks and momentum shifting multiple times. After saving two set points at a critical moment, Kostyuk regained control when Andreeva double-faulted late in the set, giving her the opportunity to serve for the match. She needed three championship points to seal the win, with Andreeva ultimately sending the final shot long.

Marta Kostyuk celebrates winning her 1st WTA 1000 title in Madrid by doing a BACKFLIP on court

AURA. pic.twitter.com/pg3fBIN1xC

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 2, 2026

Celebrating her victory, Kostyuk entertained the crowd by doing a backflip on court, while a disappointed Andreeva struggled to hold back tears during the trophy ceremony.

Reflecting on the moment, Kostyuk pointed to the persistence behind her success, stressing that consistency and daily commitment made the difference, describing it as “showing up every day no matter how hard it is, no matter how much you love or hate what you do.” 

The win continues a remarkable run of form for Kostyuk. She is now on an 11-match winning streak, her longest on tour, and remains unbeaten on clay this season. This title is her third overall on the WTA Tour and her second in recent weeks, following her triumph in Rouen.

Earlier in the year, she also reached the final in Brisbane, where she finished runner-up. Notably, she has now beaten Andreeva twice in 2026, having previously defeated her in Brisbane quarterfinals.

With this result, Kostyuk is projected to climb to world No. 15, which would mark a new career-high ranking, surpassing her previous best of No. 16 achieved in mid-2024.