What Is 2010 French Open - Women's Singles

Overview

The 2010 French Open – Women's Singles was a landmark event in tennis history, culminating in a breakthrough victory for Italy's Francesca Schiavone. Held at the clay courts of Stade Roland Garros in Paris, the tournament ran from May 23 to June 6, 2010, and featured 128 players competing in a single-elimination format.

Schiavone's triumph was historic, not only because it was her first Grand Slam title but also because she became the first Italian woman to win a major singles championship. Her path to victory included wins over top players such as Elena Dementieva, Li Na, and finally Samantha Stosur in the final, whom she defeated in straight sets.

• Francesca Schiavone won the title by defeating Samantha Stosur 6–4, 7–6(7–2) in the final on June 5, 2010, showcasing exceptional net play and mental resilience.
• Stade Roland Garros in Paris hosted the event, continuing its legacy as one of the most prestigious clay-court tournaments in the world since its inception in 1891.
• Schiavone entered the tournament as the 17th seed and became the lowest-seeded women's champion at Roland Garros since 1983, highlighting her underdog status.
• She did not lose a set until the final, defeating Elena Dementieva (6–2, 6–1) in the semifinals in dominant fashion.
• The victory elevated Schiavone's WTA ranking from No. 17 to a career-high No. 9, marking a significant milestone in her professional career.

How It Works

The French Open, also known as Roland Garros, is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments and is played annually on outdoor red clay courts. The surface slows down the ball and produces high bounce, favoring players with strong baseline games and endurance.

• Clay Court Surface: The crushed red brick surface increases rally length and favors players with heavy topspin and defensive skills, such as Rafael Nadal and Justine Henin.
• Seeding System: The top 32 players are seeded based on ATP/WTA rankings to prevent early matchups between top contenders, though upsets are common on clay.
• Best-of-Three Sets: Women play best-of-three sets, requiring consistency and stamina over long rallies, especially in later rounds under warm Parisian conditions.
• Qualifying Rounds: 128-player main draw includes 16 qualifiers who win three matches in preliminary rounds held the week before the main event.
• Ball Usage: Players use Wilson French Open balls, specially designed for clay to resist dirt and maintain bounce integrity over long points.
• Retirement Rules: A player may retire due to injury; however, in 2010, all women's singles matches were completed without mid-match withdrawals.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing Schiavone’s 2010 performance to other recent champions highlights her unique path and statistical profile.

The table shows that Schiavone was the lowest-seeded champion since 2006, yet she won all seven matches in straight sets, a rare feat on clay. Her victory stands out for its combination of underdog status and consistent performance, contrasting with higher-seeded winners in prior years.

Why It Matters

The 2010 French Open – Women's Singles had lasting implications for tennis, particularly in Italy and for the perception of veteran players on tour. Schiavone, at 29 years old, defied age norms and inspired a generation of Italian athletes.

• Historic First: Schiavone became the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title, elevating the profile of tennis in her home country.
• Age Barrier Broken: At 29, she was the oldest first-time Grand Slam winner in the Open Era, challenging assumptions about peak performance age.
• Clay-Court Legacy: Her aggressive net-rushing style was unusual for clay, proving that versatility could triumph over traditional baseline play.
• Media Attention: The win sparked widespread coverage in Italy, with Schiavone appearing on magazine covers and receiving national honors.
• Inspiration for Future Players: Young Italian talents like Camila Giorgi and Jasmine Paolini cited Schiavone as a key influence in their careers.
• Tournament Legacy: The 2010 final remains one of the most-watched women's matches in French Open history, with over 12 million viewers in Europe alone.

Ultimately, the 2010 French Open – Women's Singles was more than a personal triumph—it reshaped national expectations and expanded the strategic possibilities of clay-court tennis.