No. 5: Kei Nishikori (JAPAN)
Kei Nishikori, 25, plays with one of the best and most confounding backhands on tour, his opponents say. As the only male Japanese tennis player to ever rank in the top 10 in ATP Singles Ranking, Nishikori squeaked into the top 5 after Milos Rainic of Canada dropped two spots just prior to the French Open. Nishikori has yet to win any Grand Slam Titles, and lost in the first round of the French Open last year. (Photo credit: Getty)
Kei Nishikori, 25, plays with one of the best and most confounding backhands on tour, his opponents say. As the only male Japanese tennis player to ever rank in the top 10 in ATP Singles Ranking, Nishikori squeaked into the top 5 after Milos Rainic of Canada dropped two spots just prior to the French Open. Nishikori has yet to win any Grand Slam Titles, and lost in the first round of the French Open last year. (Photo credit: Getty)
No. 5: Caroline Wozniacki (DENMARK)
Caroline Wozniacki, 24, began playing tennis at age 7 and finished her seventh straight top 10 season in 2014. The Danish player has previously held the no. 1 spot on the WTA tour, and was the first woman from a Scandinavian country to hold the top-ranking position. Wozniacki has yet to win any Grand Slam Titles, including the French Open. (Photo credit: Getty)
Caroline Wozniacki, 24, began playing tennis at age 7 and finished her seventh straight top 10 season in 2014. The Danish player has previously held the no. 1 spot on the WTA tour, and was the first woman from a Scandinavian country to hold the top-ranking position. Wozniacki has yet to win any Grand Slam Titles, including the French Open. (Photo credit: Getty)
No. 4: Tomas Berdych (CZECH REPUBLIC)
The 29-year-old Berdych reached a career-high ranking of no. 4 on May 18, 2015, just a few days before the French Open. The top Czech player finished in the top 10 for the fifth year in a row, winning titles in Rotterdam and Stockholm with a career-best 5 finals. Berdych has yet to win any Grand Slam Titles. The furthest he’s gotten in the French Open was the semifinal round in 2010, before losing to the eventual runner-up. (Photo credit: Getty)
The 29-year-old Berdych reached a career-high ranking of no. 4 on May 18, 2015, just a few days before the French Open. The top Czech player finished in the top 10 for the fifth year in a row, winning titles in Rotterdam and Stockholm with a career-best 5 finals. Berdych has yet to win any Grand Slam Titles. The furthest he’s gotten in the French Open was the semifinal round in 2010, before losing to the eventual runner-up. (Photo credit: Getty)
No. 4: Petra Kvitova (CZECH REPUBLIC)
Petra Kvitova, 25, is known for her powerful left-handed playing style. Kvitova was a semifinalist in the 2012 French Open and has won two Grand Slam Titles, both at Wimbledon. She won her second Grand Slam last year. (Photo credit: Getty)
Petra Kvitova, 25, is known for her powerful left-handed playing style. Kvitova was a semifinalist in the 2012 French Open and has won two Grand Slam Titles, both at Wimbledon. She won her second Grand Slam last year. (Photo credit: Getty)
No. 3: Andy Murray (GREAT BRITIAN)
Andy Murray is a 28-year-old Scottish player who began playing tennis when he was 3 years old. In 2013, Murray famously became the first British man to win a Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon since Fred Perry, 77 years prior. Murray has won two Grand Slam titles and finished as a semifinalist in the French Open in 2011 and 2014. (Photo credit: Getty)
Andy Murray is a 28-year-old Scottish player who began playing tennis when he was 3 years old. In 2013, Murray famously became the first British man to win a Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon since Fred Perry, 77 years prior. Murray has won two Grand Slam titles and finished as a semifinalist in the French Open in 2011 and 2014. (Photo credit: Getty)
No. 3: Simona Halep (ROMANIA)
Simona Halep has defeated many of the world’s top players, including Serena Williams. The 23-year-old Romanian is known for her aggressive baseline play. Halep was a finalist in the French Open in 2013 but has yet to win a Grand Slam title. (Photo credit: Getty)
Simona Halep has defeated many of the world’s top players, including Serena Williams. The 23-year-old Romanian is known for her aggressive baseline play. Halep was a finalist in the French Open in 2013 but has yet to win a Grand Slam title. (Photo credit: Getty)
No. 2: Roger Federer (SWITZERLAND)
Many across the tennis world, from Andre Agassi to Ivan Landi, regard 33-year-old Roger Federer as the best player of all time. The Swiss player finished in the top 2 players in the world for the 10th time last year. Federer has 17 Grand Slam titles to his name and won the French Open in 2009. (Photo credit: Getty)
Many across the tennis world, from Andre Agassi to Ivan Landi, regard 33-year-old Roger Federer as the best player of all time. The Swiss player finished in the top 2 players in the world for the 10th time last year. Federer has 17 Grand Slam titles to his name and won the French Open in 2009. (Photo credit: Getty)
No. 2: Maria Sharapova (RUSSIA)
Maria Sharapova celebrated her equal-best tournament last year, finishing no. 2. She’s one of the world’s best players on clay, so even though she isn’t no. 1 going into the French Open, look for her to dominate on this surface. She has four career Grand Slams and has won the French Open twice, in 2012 and 2014. (Photo credit: Getty)
Maria Sharapova celebrated her equal-best tournament last year, finishing no. 2. She’s one of the world’s best players on clay, so even though she isn’t no. 1 going into the French Open, look for her to dominate on this surface. She has four career Grand Slams and has won the French Open twice, in 2012 and 2014. (Photo credit: Getty)
No. 1: Novak Djokovic (SERBIA)
Novak Djokovic, the top-ranked men’s player, is coming off a win in Rome (besting Roger Federer), extending his winning streak to 22 matches. The 27-year-old Belgrade native has won eight Grand Slam titles and is known for his consistent and quick play. Djokovic has won 8 Grand Slam titles, but has never won a French Open. He was a finalist in 2012 and 2014. (Photo credit: Getty)
Novak Djokovic, the top-ranked men’s player, is coming off a win in Rome (besting Roger Federer), extending his winning streak to 22 matches. The 27-year-old Belgrade native has won eight Grand Slam titles and is known for his consistent and quick play. Djokovic has won 8 Grand Slam titles, but has never won a French Open. He was a finalist in 2012 and 2014. (Photo credit: Getty)
No. 1: Serena Williams (UNITED STATES)
Powerhouse Serena Williams has dominated the tennis world since she turned pro in 1995, and is the reigning Australian Open, US Open, WTA Tour Championships and Olympic ladies singles champion. However, an elbow injury caused her to withdraw from the most recent tournament in Rome. Williams has 19 Career Grand Slams and has won the French Open twice, in 2002 and 2013. (Photo credit: Getty)
Powerhouse Serena Williams has dominated the tennis world since she turned pro in 1995, and is the reigning Australian Open, US Open, WTA Tour Championships and Olympic ladies singles champion. However, an elbow injury caused her to withdraw from the most recent tournament in Rome. Williams has 19 Career Grand Slams and has won the French Open twice, in 2002 and 2013. (Photo credit: Getty)
SURPRISE OF THE TOURNAMENT
No. 7: Rafael Nadal (SPAIN)
Rafael Nadal of Spain is the surprise storyline going into this year’s French Open tournament. Nadal has won almost every French Open in the past 10 years, but recently dropped out of the top 5 ranked players for the first time in a decade. Nadal has won 14 Career Grand Slams and has won the French Open nine times: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. He has a 92% career win rate on clay surfaces. (Photo credit: Getty)
No. 7: Rafael Nadal (SPAIN)
Rafael Nadal of Spain is the surprise storyline going into this year’s French Open tournament. Nadal has won almost every French Open in the past 10 years, but recently dropped out of the top 5 ranked players for the first time in a decade. Nadal has won 14 Career Grand Slams and has won the French Open nine times: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. He has a 92% career win rate on clay surfaces. (Photo credit: Getty)