Friday, July 17, 2026

Andreeva Wins French Open, Ends Drought for Russian Women at Slams

The 19-year-old Andreeva, who defeated Poland’s Maja Chwalińska, will take home $3.2 million in prize money for her feat.

REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

Mirra Andreeva is the 2026 French Open women’s singles champion, becoming the first Russian woman to win a Grand Slam since Maria Sharapova won the 2014 French Open.

Andreeva, the No. 8 seed in the tournament, defeated Poland’s Maja Chwalińska 6–3, 6–2 during Saturday’s final. At just 19 years old, the Russian is the first teenager to win a Slam since 19-year-old Coco Gauff did so at the 2023 US Open. Andreeva is also the first player born after 2005, male or female, to reach and win a Grand Slam final—paving the way for a new generation of tennis stars with her victory.

Andreeva is also the youngest to raise the Suzanne-Lenten Cup since Monica Seles in 1992. 

The roof of Philippe-Chartier Court opened right before the final kicked off, and both players dealt with wind gusts of up to 29 mph (according to the TNT broadcast of the final) throughout the match. Though Chwalińska made the match competitive to start, Andreeva pulled away toward the end of the first set and dominated most of the second.

During Andreeva’s run in Paris, she took down three other seeded players and dropped just one set—a 3–6 showing against Spain’s Marina Bassols Ribera to open her second-round match.

This French Open victory is a major milestone in Andreeva’s ascent to the WTA’s upper ranks. In 2025, she won her first and second WTA 1000-level titles at age 17. But in terms of majors, Paris is where she’s the most successful—the French Open is the only slam where she’s advanced beyond the quarterfinals. Before this year, her best result was reaching the semifinals in 2024.

For her win, Andreeva will take home $3,248,000 in prize money, an increase from the $2.9 million that Gauff earned from winning in 2025.

At the French Open, it is a tradition to play the winner’s national anthem at the trophy ceremony. However, no anthem was played on Saturday—Andreeva is considered a “neutral athlete” not playing under the Russian flag. Russian and Belarusian athletes have been playing as neutrals since March 2022, shortly after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, after the ITF banned them from representing their nations.

This hasn’t been a topic in past years, as Andreeva is the first Russian or Belarusian men’s or women’s player to win a French Open title since the war began.

Andreeva’s nationality has already been a subject of controversy at the French Open—after defeating Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk in the semifinals, Kostyuk did not shake hands with her. Kostyuk has been outspoken about the war, saying after her quarterfinal win that Russian players have “made it very clear whose side they are on.”

Chwalińska’s Notable Run

Though Chwalińska came up just short in the finals, she still made history in several ways in Paris. Ranked No. 114 overall before the tournament, she had to play three qualifying matches before going into the main draw, becoming the first qualifier and lowest-ranked player to ever reach the French Open final. For her finals run, Chwalińska earned $1,624,000, which is almost double her total career earnings of $864,030 before Paris.

Because of Chwalińska’s additional qualifying matches, she spent seven hours and 30 minutes longer on court than Andreeva coming into the final.

Chwalińska, who never played past the second round of a slam before, previously said she struggled to pay for her hotel in Paris because she didn’t expect to stay for so long—but Polish sports nutrition brand Oshee, which she signed with during the tournament, stepped in to cover her lodging costs.

Andreeva is scheduled to play the Bad Homburg Open in Germany later in June, a grass warm-up tournament for Wimbledon. Meanwhile, Chwalińska will await a possible Wimbledon main draw wild card, or else she’ll have to play qualifiers again in London.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/16/26 – World Cup Final Set, Kawhi Probe, FanDuel VIP Scandal Deepens

0:00

Featured Today

Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
ATLANTA, GA - September 05: Georgia Lottery fireworks after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park on Friday, September 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
July 2, 2026

Inside the Spectacle and Science of MLB Fireworks

Postgame fireworks are lighting up baseball for America250.

MLS Commish: ‘We’ve Got a Lot of Boats’ on Soccer’s Rising Tide

The league eyes significant growth in the wake of a massive World Cup.
May 27, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud (9) brings the ball up court against the Toronto Tempo during the first half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Exclusive
July 16, 2026

WNBA’s Cloud Calls Out Engelbert Over Sports Bettor Threats

Cloud said she constantly receives racist messages online.
Jul 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor (right) attempts a flying kick at the start of his fight against Max Holloway during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
July 16, 2026

McGregor Return Draws Nearly 16 Million Viewers on Paramount+

UFC 329 trailed Freedom 250 in total and average viewership.
Sponsored

Clase Azul Tequila Founder’s Soccer Ownership

Arturo Lomeli talks about managing a tequila brand and two soccer clubs.
July 16, 2026

NHL’s New 84-Game Schedule Brings Earlier Start, High-Profile Games

The expanded slate leans further into a series of key events.
Golf - The 154th Open Championship - Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, Britain - July 16, 2026 Spectators during the first round
July 16, 2026

For Fans at The Open, Golf and Alcohol Don’t Mix Easily

At the Open, alcohol sales start at 10 a.m. each day.
Jul 15, 2026; New York, NY, USA; A MLS and Apple TV advertisement for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
July 15, 2026

MLS Will Attempt to Seize on World Cup Momentum

The league is eyeing the opportunity but still has a long-term view.
July 15, 2026

MLB’s Stretch Run Will Be Defined By Labor, Stadiums, and Stars

The trade deadline and contending low-budget teams also loom large.