Top five oldest women's singles champions at French Open

American great Serena Williams is the oldest French Open winner.

The French Open stands as the ultimate test for any female tennis player aiming to prove her prowess on clay. The courts of Roland Garros demand exceptional intensity, refined skill, and unwavering stamina to endure grueling rallies.

Unlike other Grand Slams, winning at Roland Garros demands patience and endurance. While some shine early, others achieve glory later in their careers, drawing on experience, resilience, and determination to triumph on the Parisian clay. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top five oldest women’s singles champions at the French Open:

5. Francesca Schiavone – 29 years, 347 days (2010)

Francesca Schiavone’s 2010 French Open run was a fairytale for Italian tennis. Nearly 30, she defied the odds as an unseeded player, using her creative shot-making and deft single-handed backhand to outplay higher-ranked opponents.

A straight sets victory over Samantha Stosur in the final made her the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title and inspired a new wave of enthusiasm for tennis in Italy.

4. Steffi Graf – 29 years, 356 days (1999)

Steffi Graf’s final Grand Slam victory at Roland Garros in 1999 was a dramatic and emotional swansong. Just shy of her 30th birthday, Graf became the first player to defeat the world’s top three-ranked women in a single major, culminating in a memorable comeback win over Martina Hingis in the final.

3. Margaret Court – 30 years, 321 days (1973)

Margaret Court’s last French Open triumph came in 1973 after an epic battle against Chris Evert. Nearly 31 years old, Court’s physical strength and mental tenacity were on full display as she edged out her younger opponent in a three-set thriller.

The win was her fifth in Paris and contributed to her all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, which still stands today.

2. Chris Evert – 31 years, 168 days (1986)

Chris Evert’s seventh and final French Open title in 1986 was a testament to her enduring excellence on clay. At 31, she outlasted her longtime rival Martina Navratilova in a three-set final, showcasing her trademark consistency and tactical mastery.

Evert’s dominance in Paris remains unmatched, as she still holds the record for most Roland Garros women’s singles titles in the Open Era, a feat built on her remarkable poise and relentless baseline play.

1. Serena Williams – 33 years, 253 days (2015)

Serena Williams became the oldest women’s singles champion at Roland Garros in 2015, winning the title at 33 years and 253 days old. Battling illness and enduring five three-set matches during the tournament, Serena defeated Lucie Safarova in the final to claim her third French Open and 20th Grand Slam singles title.

The American’s resilience and champion’s mentality were on full display, as she called time on a legendary career with 23 Grand Slam singles titles under her belt.

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