Spanish tennis found a way to celebrate again at Roland Garros. Without Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning men's singles champion and absent due to injury, the day brought two Spanish joys. First,Marcel Granollerswon the doubles title alongside the Argentine Horacio Zeballos. Then,Conchita Martínezachieved from the bench a glory that had eluded her as a player.
The former Spanish tennis player, a finalist in Paris in 2000, watched her protégé, the Russian Mirra Andreeva, lift the women's title after defeating Maja Chwalinska by 6-3 and 6-2 in 82 minutes. The victory also had a symbolic weight: the trophy was presented by Mary Pierce, the same player who defeated Conchita in that 2000 final.
Andreeva cuts short Chwalinska's great story
The final pitted two very different trajectories against each other. Andreeva,19 years old, world number eight and sixth from Monday, arrived as one of the circuit's great realities. Chwalinska, a24-year-oldPole and world number 114, had been the great revelation of the fortnight after qualifying from the preliminary phase.
Her run exposed a good part of the WTA elite and placed her in an unexpected final. However, Andreeva controlled the match with tactical solidity, patience, and the ability to adapt to the Pole's uncomfortable tennis.
Conchita's second Grand Slam as a coach
The title marks Conchita Martínez's second Grand Slam as a coach. The first came at Wimbledon 2017, when she accompanied Garbiñe Muguruza to the title. Muguruza, incidentally, was present in the stands during the Paris final.
That same year, another Spaniard,Anabel Medina, was part of the technical team that led the Latvian Jelena Ostapenkoto victory at Roland Garros. Andreeva's success once again places the Spanish training model at the center of international tennis, not only for its players but also for the influence of its coaches.
A meticulously prepared final
Andreeva became the fourth Russian champion at Roland Garros, after Anastasia Myskina in 2004,Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2009, and Maria Sharapova, winner in 2012 and 2014.
From the outset, it was clear that the match had been meticulously prepared with Conchita Martínez. The Russian accepted playing in the uncomfortable territory proposed by Chwalinska, based on high balls, constant drop shots, and a two-handed slice backhand that sought to break the rhythm.
Andreeva did not lose her patience. She defended when she had to, accepted long rallies and high balls when the match demanded it, and attacked decisively at the right moments. After a first set with back-and-forth action and service breaks, the second set was much clearer for the Russian, who only suffered one interruption when she was serving to close out the match at 5-1.
The youngest champion since Monica Seles
With her victory, Andreeva became the youngest Roland Garros champion since Monica Seles, who won her third consecutive title in Paris at 18 years old in 1992.
The triumph confirms her rise in the circuit. The Russian is now first in the Race to the WTA Finals, has already won six titles in her career, and achieved her third trophy of 2026, after those won in Adelaide and Linz, equaling Aryna Sabalenka in number of titles this season.
Furthermore, Andreeva leads the circuit in victories in 2026, with 36, and closes the clay court season with the best record of the year: 22 wins and three losses. France, where she resides in Cannes, is consolidated as one of her most favorable territories.
Andreeva's speech
After the final, Andreeva had words for Chwalinska, whom she described as a very difficult opponent. The Russian admitted she would not want to face her again, although she corrected herself humorously to wish that they both play many finals in the future.
She also addressed Mary Pierce, jokingly recalling that she had defeated Conchita Martínez in the 2000 final. She then thanked her team for their work and specifically mentioned her coach. Andreeva highlighted Conchita's advice and experience, as well as the effort of those who have accompanied her throughout the season.
The champion also thanked her parents and her psychologist for their support. In closing, she referred to the phrase on her sweatshirt and thanked herself for maintaining her confidence, working hard, and continuing to try to improve as a person and a player.
Chwalinska leaves Paris with her life changed
Maja Chwalinska acknowledged Andreeva's superiority after the final and regretted not being able to offer a more even match. Nevertheless, her tournament completely changes her position in the circuit.
The Polish player will leave Paris as the world number 21, will occupy the 14th position in the Race, and will take home a prize of 1.4 million euros before taxes. Despite this leap, if Wimbledon does not grant her a wildcard, she would still have to play the qualifying rounds.
A title with a double Spanish reading
Andreeva's triumph is also a victory for Conchita Martínez, who from the bench achieves the title she could not win as a player at Roland Garros. Her role in the Russian's evolution reinforces a trend already seen in recent years: the presence of Spanish coaches in great successes on the international circuit.
In an edition without Alcaraz, Spanish tennis once again had a leading role in Paris through the doubles of Granollers and Zeballos and, especially, Conchita, who guided Andreeva towards one of the most important titles of her career.