The Players With Most French Open Titles: The French Open, also known as Roland Garros, is a big tennis tournament. It’s one of the four most important tennis tournaments. They play it at a Stade Roland Garros in Paris every year, from mid-May to early June. They’ve been doing this since 1891.
This tournament is named after a famous pilot named Roland Garros, who lived from 1888 to 1918.
The French Open is different from the other big tennis tournaments because they play on clay courts. This makes the game slower compared to hard courts. So, the matches take longer to finish.
Rafael Nadal from Spain has won this tournament 14 times, and Chris Evert from the United States has won it 7 times. They’ve won it more times than anyone else.
French Open Story
The first “Championnat de France international de Tennis” (which means the international tennis championships of France) happened in Paris back in 1891. A British guy named H. Briggs won the first men’s singles competition. Women got to compete for the first time in 1897.
Until 1925, only French and a very few foreign players could join the tournament. In those early years, they played on grass courts, and they took turns between two clubs, the “Racing Club de France” and the “Stade Français.”
Then, in 1928, they built a new tennis stadium near Porte d’Auteuil, and they named it after a famous pilot, Roland Garros, who was a hero in World War I. They chose a special kind of court for the first time, which is still used today – it’s called “terre battue,” a slow surface made of crushed bricks. It makes the game unique and challenging because players have to be patient and net attacks are harder.
The Stade Roland Garros opened on May 19, 1928, with a women’s international match.
At the beginning, only amateur players could participate, similar to the Olympic Games. But in 1968, they started what’s called the “Open Era,” where all players, amateurs, and professionals could play.
In 2000, Mary Pierce was the last French woman to win the French Open. Since 2006, the tournament begins on a Sunday. They increased the number of games on that Sunday from 16 in 2006 to 24 in 2007 and finally to 32 in 2008.
In 2010, they showed the French Open in 3D for the first time, and people could watch it in 3D in public places.
In 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they moved the tournament from its usual time in May-June to September-October. It was played in cooler weather and some rain, but they still managed to have the event, even though the prize money for the players was less than usual.
In 2023 Djokovic French Open won it by beating Casper Ruud in the final with scores of 7–6, 6–3, 7–5. This victory marked his third French Open win and his 23rd major men’s singles title, breaking his tie with Rafael Nadal for the most major titles ever won by a male player.
The 28 Players With Most French Open Titles (Men’s Singles)
Rafael Nadal is the best tennis player at Roland-Garros with 14 championships. He won his first title in 2005, and after a loss in 2009, he won five times in a row from 2010 to 2014. He also had a streak of four wins earlier. He faced challenges from players like Robin Söderling and Novak Djokovic.
In 2016, he lost to Novak Djokovic and had to withdraw due to injury. He came back strong in 2017 and won for the next four years. In 2021, he lost in the semifinals to Djokovic, who is now considered a legend.
Now, Nadal aims to win the title again, but Novak Djokovic, who has beaten Nadal twice before, is a tough competitor. Djokovic won in 2016, 2021 and 2023 wants to add another trophy.
Although Nadal has the most titles recently, players from before 1968, when only amateur players competed, hold the overall record. French players like Max Decugis and Henri Cochet were dominant back then, with Decugis winning 8 times and Cochet winning 5 times.
Players With Most French Open Titles (Men’s Singles)
These are the Players With the Most French Open Titles.
1. Rafael Nadal
| Country | (ESP) |
|---|---|
| Amateur Era | 0 |
| Open Era | 14 |
| Total Titles | 14 |
| Year | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 |
Rafael Nadal has been incredibly dominant at the French Open for almost 20 years. He’s won it 14 times and has an outstanding record of 112 wins and only 3 losses in Paris. Nadal’s remarkable achievements include winning the title five consecutive times from 2010 to 2014 and four consecutive times twice (2005-2008 and 2017-2020).
Bjorn Borg is the only other player to have won the French Open four times in a row, achieving this from 1978 to 1981. No one else has managed to win it more than two times consecutively.
When people debate who the greatest tennis player of all time (GOAT) is, it often comes down to Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer. In the context of the French Open, Nadal has a superb record against Djokovic (14 wins to 2) and Federer (6 wins to 0).
2. Max Decugis
| Country | (FRA) |
|---|---|
| Amateur Era | 8 |
| Open Era | 0 |
| Total Titles | 8 |
| Year | 1903, 1904, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1912, 1913, 1914 |
Max Decugis was a very successful tennis player at the French Open. He won the tournament 8 times, first from 1903 to 1904 and then from 1907 to 1914. He’s the second most successful player in the French Open’s history, with Rafael Nadal holding the record with 14 titles.
Decugis was born in Paris in 1882 and passed away in 1978. He played for the Racing Club de France and was known as one of the world’s top tennis players during his era.
In addition to his 8 French Open victories, Decugis also won the Wimbledon Championships in doubles once. His achievement of 8 French Open titles in just 11 years was a record that stood for more than 50 years until Nadal surpassed it. Max Decugis is remembered as one of the greatest French tennis players ever.
3. Björn Borg
| Country | (SWE) |
|---|---|
| Amateur Era | 0 |
| Open Era | 6 |
| Total Titles | 6 |
| Year | 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 |
Bjorn Borg did something remarkable at the French Open. First, in 1975, he became the third man ever to win consecutive titles, beating Guillermo Vilas in straight sets. Then, he achieved an incredible four consecutive French Open wins from 1978 to 1981.
In 1978, Borg had an amazing run. He didn’t lose a single set in the entire tournament and only lost 32 games on his way to winning the title again, defeating Vilas once more. This record of losing just 32 games still stands as a French Open record.
Borg, known as “the Iceman” due to his cool demeanor on the court, successfully defended his title for the next three years. He was also the world No. 1 player for most of that time, from 1976 to 1980.
4. Henri Cochet
| Country | (FRA) |
|---|---|
| Amateur Era | 5 |
| Open Era | 0 |
| Total Titles | 5 |
| Year | 1922, 1926, 1928, 1930, 1932 |
Henri Cochet was a successful French tennis player who won 5 French Open singles titles in 1922, 1926, 1928, 1930, and 1932. He’s the 4th most successful French player in French Open history.
Cochet was part of the famous “Four Musketeers” from France, a group of tennis players who dominated the sport in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The other three Musketeers were René Lacoste, Jean Borotra, and Jacques Brugnon.
He was a versatile player comfortable on all surfaces, known for his precise touch and timing. Cochet was also an aggressive player who made extensive use of the volley and was skilled at coming to the net. In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1976.
5. André Vacherot
| Country | (FRA) |
|---|---|
| Amateur Era | 4 |
| Open Era | 0 |
| Total Titles | 4 |
| Year | 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901 |
André Vacherot was a successful French tennis player who achieved four French Open victories in 1894, 1895, 1896, and 1901. He’s the 5th most successful male French player in the history of the French Open.
Vacherot was born in Paris in 1877 and passed away in Rouen in 1924. He was a member of the Racing Club de France and was recognized as one of the top tennis players in France during his era.
While it’s important to note that the competition was less intense in the late 19th century, Vacherot’s accomplishment of winning four French Open titles remains impressive, particularly on clay courts where he excelled and dominated his opponents.
6. Paul Aymé
| Country | (FRA) |
|---|---|
| Amateur Era | 4 |
| Open Era | 0 |
| Total Titles | 4 |
| Year | 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900 |
Paul Aymé was a remarkable French tennis player who achieved a unique feat by winning the French Open four times in a row, from 1897 to 1900. He holds the distinction of being the only player to have accomplished this before the Open Era, which began in 1968. Björn Borg matched his record in the 1970s, but Rafael Nadal has since surpassed it with an astonishing 14 titles.
Aymé, born in Paris in 1876 and passing away in 1945, was a member of the Racing Club de France and was widely regarded as one of France’s finest tennis players during his era.
His achievement of winning four consecutive French Open titles is a testament to his exceptional skill and dominance on the tennis court. Aymé played a pioneering role in French tennis, and his legacy continues to inspire players even today.
The 28 Players With Most French Open Titles
| # | Player | Amateur Era | Open Era | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Maurice Germot (FRA) | 3 | 0 | 1905, 1906, 1910 |
| 8 | René Lacoste (FRA) | 3 | 0 | 1925, 1927, 1929 |
| 9 | Mats Wilander (SWE) | 0 | 3 | 1982, 1985, 1988 |
| 10 | Ivan Lendl (TCH) | 0 | 3 | 1984, 1986, 1987 |
| 12 | Gustavo Kuerten (BRA) | 0 | 3 | 1997, 2000, 2001 |
| 13 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 0 | 3 | 2016, 2021, 2023 |
| 14 | André Gobert (FRA) | 2 | 0 | 1911, 1920 |
| 15 | Jean Borotra (FRA) | 2 | 0 | 1924, 1931 |
| 16 | Gottfried von Cramm (GER) | 2 | 0 | 1934, 1936 |
| 17 | Frank Parker (USA) | 2 | 0 | 1948, 1949 |
| 18 | Jaroslav Drobný (EGY) | 2 | 0 | 1951, 1952 |
| 19 | Ken Rosewall (AUS) | 1 | 1 | 1953, 1968 |
| 20 | Tony Trabert (USA) | 2 | 0 | 1954, 1955 |
| 21 | Nicola Pietrangeli (ITA) | 2 | 0 | 1959, 1960 |
| 22 | Manuel Santana (ESP) | 2 | 0 | 1961, 1964 |
| 23 | Rod Laver (AUS) | 1 | 1 | 1962, 1969 |
| 24 | Roy Emerson (AUS) | 2 | 0 | 1963, 1967 |
| 26 | Jan Kodeš (TCH) | 0 | 2 | 1970, 1971 |
| 27 | Jim Courier (USA) | 0 | 2 | 1991, 1992 |
| 28 | Sergi Bruguera (ESP) | 0 | 2 | 1993, 1994 |
French Open Champions By Country (Men’s Singles)
France has been the most successful country at the French Open, winning 38 men’s singles titles. Spain is the second most successful country with 22 men’s singles titles.
France and Spain are the top two countries in terms of success at the French Open. Australia and the United States have also performed well, each winning 11 titles.
In the Open era, which began in 1968, Spain has been dominant in the Roland Garros men’s singles, largely thanks to players like Rafael Nadal. The reputation of Spanish players excelling on clay courts remains strong, although other countries have also become more competitive on clay over time.
| TOTAL TITLES | Country | Amateur Era | Open Era |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | France (FRA) | 37 | 1 |
| 22 | Spain (ESP) | 2 | 20 |
| 11 | Australia (AUS) | 9 | 2 |
| 11 | United States (USA) | 7 | 4 |
| 10 | Sweden (SWE) | 1 | 9 |
| 5 | Czechoslovakia (TCH) | 0 | 5 |
| 3 | Germany (GER) | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | Italy (ITA) | 2 | 1 |
| 3 | Brazil (BRA) | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Serbia (SRB) | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | Great Britain (GBR) | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | Egypt (EGY) | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | Argentina (ARG) | 0 | 2 |
| 2 | Switzerland (SUI) | 0 | 2 |
| 1 | Hungary (HUN) | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | Romania (ROU) | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | Ecuador (ECU) | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | Austria (AUT) | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | Russia (RUS) | 0 | 1 |
The 28 Players With Most French Open Titles (Women’s Singles)
The French Open is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments, and winning it is a significant achievement for any tennis player. Below is a list of female tennis players with the most French Open singles titles during both the Open era and the Amateur era:
1. Chris Evert
| Country | (USA) |
|---|---|
| Amateur Era | 0 |
| Open Era | 7 |
| Total Titles | 7 |
| Year | 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986 |
Chris Evert was really good at tennis, especially at the French Open. She won the French Open seven times between 1974 and 1986. That’s more than anyone else in the Open Era.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Evert was one of the best women’s tennis players. She won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, which is the third-most ever. She was also good at playing doubles and won three Grand Slam titles in that.
People think Chris Evert is one of the best tennis players ever. She got into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987.
2. Suzanne Lenglen
| Country | (FRA) |
|---|---|
| Amateur Era | 6 |
| Open Era | 0 |
| Total Titles | 6 |
| Year | 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926 |
Suzanne Lenglen was a really good tennis player a long time ago. She won the French Open six times between 1920 and 1923, and then again in 1925 and 1926.
Lenglen was super good at tennis in the early 1920s. People liked watching her play because she had a strong serve, played really nicely, and had a flashy personality. She also did cool things with her tennis outfits, which were quite bold for her time.
But when she was 27 years old, Lenglen stopped playing tennis in 1926. Sadly, she passed away in 1938 when she was 39. She was one of the best tennis players ever.
3. Steffi Graf
| Country | (GER) |
|---|---|
| Amateur Era | 0 |
| Open Era | 6 |
| Total Titles | 6 |
| Year | 1987, 1988, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999 |
Steffi Graf was really good at playing tennis, and she won the French Open six times in the years 1987 to 1999.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Graf was a really strong player in women’s tennis. She won a total of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, which is the second most ever. She was also great at doubles and mixed doubles, winning 10 and 2 Grand Slam titles in those events.
With six French Open wins, Steffi Graf became one of the greatest players in the history of this tournament.
4. Adine Masson
| Country | (FRA) |
|---|---|
| Amateur Era | 5 |
| Open Era | 0 |
| Total Titles | 5 |
| Year | 1897, 1898, 1899, 1902, 1903 |
Adine Masson won the French Open five times when it was just for amateurs, from 1897 to 1899 and then again from 1902 to 1903. So, if we only count the times when professionals couldn’t play in the tournament, she’s the best ever at the French Open.
Masson stopped playing tennis in 1904 and passed away in 1933 when she was 60 years old. Even though it’s been a long time, what she accomplished is still really impressive, and she’s still the top player in the history of the French Open.
She’s also one of the people who helped start women’s tennis, so she’s a pioneer in that sport.
5. Margaret Court
| Country | (AUS) |
|---|---|
| Amateur Era | 2 |
| Open Era | 3 |
| Total Titles | 5 |
| Year | 1962, 1964, 1969, 1970, 1973 |
Margaret Court was a really great tennis player. She won three French Open singles titles when it was open to professionals, from 1969 to 1973. She also won it twice when only amateurs could play, in 1962 and 1964. So, in total, she won the French Open five times, which is the fifth-most in the history of the tournament.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Court was one of the best players in women’s tennis. She won a total of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, which is more than anyone else in history. She was also awesome at doubles.
That’s why Margaret Court is considered one of the greatest tennis players ever.
| All-time Titles | Player | Amateur Era | Open Era | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Kate Gillou (FRA) | 4 | 0 | 1904, 1905, 1906, 1908 |
| 4 | Jeanne Matthey (FRA) | 4 | 0 | 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912 |
| 4 | Helen Wills (USA) | 4 | 0 | 1928, 1929, 1930, 1932 |
| 4 | Justine Henin (BEL) | 0 | 4 | 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| 3 | Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling (GER) | 3 | 0 | 1935, 1936, 1937 |
| 3 | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (ESP) | 0 | 3 | 1989, 1994, 1998 |
| 3 | Monica Seles (YUG) (SCG) | 0 | 3 | 1990, 1991, 1992 |
| 3 | Serena Williams (USA) | 0 | 3 | 2002, 2013, 2015 |
| 3 | Iga Świątek (POL) | 0 | 3 | 2020, 2022, 2023 |
| 2 | Marguerite Broquedis (FRA) | 2 | 0 | 1913, 1914 |
| 2 | Margaret Scriven Vivian (GBR) | 2 | 0 | 1933, 1934 |
| 2 | Simonne Mathieu (FRA) | 2 | 0 | 1938, 1939 |
| 2 | Margaret Osborne duPont (USA) | 2 | 0 | 1946, 1949 |
| 2 | Doris Hart (USA) | 2 | 0 | 1950, 1952 |
| 2 | Maureen Connolly (USA) | 2 | 0 | 1953, 1954 |
| 2 | Ann Haydon Jones (GBR) | 2 | 0 | 1961, 1966 |
| 2 | Lesley Turner Bowrey (AUS) | 2 | 0 | 1963, 1965 |
| 2 | Martina Navratilova (USA)[l] | 0 | 2 | 1982, 1984 |
| 2 | Maria Sharapova (RUS) | 0 | 2 | 2012, 2014 |
French Open Champions By Country (Women’s Singles)
France has won the most women’s singles titles at the French Open, with 30 champions. After France, the United States has 29 champions, Australia has 9 champions, and Belgium has 4 champions.
| All-time Titles | Country | Amateur Era | Open Era |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | France (FRA) | 29 | 1 |
| 29 | United States (USA) | 14 | 15 |
| 9 | Australia (AUS) | 4 | 5 |
| 8 | Great Britain (GBR) | 7 | 1 |
| 8 | Germany (GER)[h] | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | Russia (RUS) | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Belgium (BEL) | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Spain (ESP) | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | Yugoslavia (YUG) ¤ | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Poland (POL) | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | West Germany (FRG) ¤[h] | 0 | 2 |
| 2 | Romania (ROU) | 0 | 2 |
| 1 | Netherlands (NED) | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | Hungary (HUN) | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | Czechoslovakia (TCH) ¤[k] | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | Serbia and Montenegro (SCG) ¤ | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | Croatia (CRO) | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | Serbia (SRB) | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | Italy (ITA) | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | China (CHN) | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | Latvia (LAT) | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | Czech Republic (CZE) | 0 | 1 |