As the era dominated by the male tennis "Big Three" – Roger Federer (44, Switzerland, retired), Rafael Nadal (39, Spain, retired), and Novak Djokovic (38, Serbia, world No. 5) – fades into memory, the women's circuit appears to be solidifying into a new "Big Four" after eight years of intense competition. Following the retirement of Serena Williams (44, USA, retired), the 23-time Grand Slam champion who defined an era, four players have risen to prominence: Aryna Sabalenka (28, Belarus, world No. 1), Iga Świątek (24, Poland, world No. 2), Jessica Pegula (31, USA, world No. 3), and Coco Gauff (21, USA, world No. 4). These four players, currently occupying the top four spots in the world rankings, are the leading contenders for the upcoming French Open title, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments alongside the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
Aryna Sabalenka has shed her "perennial runner-up" label with a formidable surge in performance. Having consistently ranked second behind Świątek for nearly three years since 2022, she finally ascended to the top spot after a stellar 2024 season that saw her clinch two Grand Slam titles: the Australian Open and the US Open. Known to her fans as the "Tiger" due to the large tiger tattoo on her left forearm – a symbol she adopted at 18, signifying a fierce fight until the last moment on the court – Sabalenka's playing style mirrors the tenacity of her moniker. Standing tall at 1.82 meters with broad shoulders, her powerful serve is a significant weapon. Following her runner-up finish at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Germany on April 22nd, Sabalenka is poised to challenge for her fourth Grand Slam title at the French Open. The Porsche Grand Prix, held on clay courts, serves as a key warm-up tournament for Roland Garros.
Iga Świątek, despite recently relinquishing her world No. 1 ranking to Sabalenka, remains widely regarded as the strongest player in the game today. She holds the most Grand Slam titles (5) among active female players, with four of those victories coming at the French Open (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024). Her dominance on clay courts has earned her the nickname "Female Nadal," drawing comparisons to Rafael Nadal, the record 14-time French Open champion. Many experts predict Świątek will reclaim the world No. 1 ranking after the French Open. An avid enthusiast of mathematics and reading, Świątek's game is characterized by intelligent court management rather than brute force, leading to remarkable consistency in her performance. In her native Poland, she is considered a national icon alongside football star Robert Lewandowski (37, FC Barcelona), often referred to as the "national siblings."
Jessica Pegula's rise to the top echelon of tennis is a testament to her relentless dedication and perseverance. Her journey can be described as a late bloomer's success story. Until 2020, she hovered around the world's 60-70 rankings but experienced a significant breakthrough in her late twenties. By 2022, at the age of 28, she had established herself as a top-three player. Pegula is well-known for her Korean heritage; her mother, Kim (56), is a Korean adoptee who married American businessman Terry (74) in 1993. Terry and Kim Pegula are billionaire entrepreneurs with vast holdings in natural gas, real estate, and sports. Forbes estimates their net worth to exceed $6.7 billion (approximately ₩8.7 trillion).
The Pegulas are prominent figures in the sports world, having acquired the NHL's Buffalo Sabres in 2011 for $189 million (approximately ₩250 billion) and subsequently the NFL's Buffalo Bills in September 2014 for $1.4 billion (approximately ₩1.87 trillion), serving as joint owners of both franchises. Pegula has faced criticism suggesting her privileged background facilitated her athletic career. However, having achieved independent success since 2014, Pegula acknowledges the challenges that came with her family's wealth but has come to terms with it. She states, "There were definitely times where it was tough because of that, but I decided that I just need to accept it." She even recognizes the advantages, admitting, "I think in the beginning of my career, my parents definitely helped me a lot and accelerated my growth, so I am lucky for that." Among the "Big Four," Pegula is the only one yet to win a Grand Slam title, with her runner-up finish at the 2024 US Open being her best result. She aims to break this barrier at the upcoming French Open.
Coco Gauff, born in 2004, is the "supernova" of the new generation. She stunned the tennis world by reaching the final of the French Open in 2022 at just 18 years old. The following year, she cemented her status as a teenage superstar by winning the US Open. Gauff is often touted as the heir to Serena Williams, and her inspiration to take up tennis stemmed from watching Williams play during the 2009 Australian Open broadcast. Inheriting athletic genes from her father, a former basketball player, and her mother, a track and field athlete, Gauff was recognized as a tennis prodigy from a young age. Numerous American corporations have eagerly sought sponsorship deals with her.
According to Forbes, Gauff earned over $10 million in 2022 through endorsement contracts alone. Standing at 1.75 meters, her strengths lie in her exceptional speed and stamina. She employs precise shots and relentless endurance to pressure her opponents. Representing the Gen Z demographic, Gauff embraces competition and enjoys playing card games and exploring local restaurants during tournaments. Notably, she indulges in chocolate cake, a treat many athletes avoid. As the French Open approaches, the tennis world eagerly anticipates whether this new "Big Four" will solidify their dominance and who among them will emerge victorious on the Parisian clay.
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