A player can win three matches at Roland-Garros and still not be in the main draw—unless those wins come in qualifying. The qualifying tournament is a short, high-pressure route into the French Open, with its own entry list, draw and place in the tournament schedule. Here’s how players get in, what they must win, and what happens when a spot opens up.
How French Open qualifying works
Singles qualifying is held separately for men and women. Each qualifying draw has up to 128 players, and the 16 players who win three consecutive matches earn places in that event’s 128-player main draw.
That means a player who qualifies must win three best-of-three-set matches. There is no extra playoff after the final qualifying round: win that match and you are in. Lose, and your chance may be over, although a player who loses in qualifying can sometimes enter the main draw as a lucky loser if a place becomes vacant.
The 16 qualifiers fill 16 of the main draw’s 128 places. The rest are generally made up of direct acceptances, based on rankings, and wildcards awarded by the tournament. Qualifying is not a separate tournament with a different scoring system; players follow the standard match rules for the event.
Who can enter qualifying?
Players enter using their professional rankings, with the relevant ATP or WTA ranking taken into account for the tournament’s entry process. The ranking needed to get into qualifying is not a permanent number. It changes from year to year depending on who enters, how many eligible players apply and whether anyone withdraws.
It helps to distinguish the qualifying cutoff from the main-draw cutoff. A player whose ranking is not high enough for direct entry into the main draw may still be ranked high enough to enter qualifying. Players below the qualifying cutoff may be listed as alternates and move into the field if places become available.
Rankings are not the only route into the qualifying draw. Roland-Garros can award qualifying wildcards, allowing selected players to enter without meeting the usual ranking cutoff. These are separate from wildcards into the main draw. A qualifying wildcard gives a player a place in the qualifying tournament—not a guaranteed main-draw spot.
Rankings and protected rankings can affect entry, while withdrawals can change the field before play begins. For that reason, an announced entry list may not be identical to the final qualifying draw.
Match format and scoring
Every qualifying singles match is best of three sets. Players need to win two sets to advance; men do not play best-of-five matches in qualifying, even though men’s main-draw singles at the French Open is best of five.
At 6-6 in a set, players play a tiebreak. If a match reaches 6-6 in the deciding set, it is settled by a 10-point match tiebreak: the first player to reach 10 points with a margin of at least two wins. For example, 10-8 ends the match, but at 9-9 a player must win two points in a row to finish it.
The format can make a qualifying match feel especially unforgiving. A player might dominate for an hour, lose a close second-set tiebreak, and then have to regroup quickly for a deciding-set match tiebreak. On clay, where long rallies and momentum swings are common, staying patient can matter as much as producing a burst of winners.
What does qualifying mean for the main draw?
Qualifiers enter the main draw on the same terms as other players. They are not given a handicap or a separate bracket, and they can be drawn against any main-draw opponent. Their ranking still informs the draw process, but getting through qualifying does not guarantee an easy first-round match or a protected seed.
A qualifying run also demands more matches than a direct entry. A qualifier may have played three matches before the main draw’s first round begins, while a directly accepted player starts in the main draw. The extra match practice can help a player settle on the clay, but it also adds physical work. That trade-off is part of the challenge.
Marco Trungelliti’s 2018 run offers a memorable example of how unpredictable the route can be. He lost in the final round of qualifying, then was called into the main draw as a lucky loser after another player withdrew. After driving back to Paris from Barcelona, he won his first-round match. His story shows that qualifying losses do not always close every door—but lucky-loser places are limited and should never be treated as a second guaranteed chance.
Qualifiers, wildcards and lucky losers
| Route | How it works | What the player receives |
|---|---|---|
| Direct acceptance | Entry based on ranking and the tournament’s entry rules | A place in the main draw |
| Qualifying | Win three qualifying matches | A place in the main draw |
| Wildcard | Selected by tournament organizers for either qualifying or the main draw | A place in the draw for which the wildcard is awarded |
| Lucky loser | Lose in qualifying, then take an available main-draw place after a withdrawal | A main-draw place if selected and available |
A lucky loser is not simply any player who lost in qualifying. The tournament uses its applicable selection procedure, and a player generally needs to remain available when a vacancy arises. If a main-draw player withdraws after qualifying is complete, an eligible qualifying loser may be brought in. The exact selection details can depend on the regulations and the circumstances of the withdrawal.
In practical terms, players who lose in the final qualifying round are the first group to watch, but a lucky-loser spot is never certain until the tournament confirms it. A player who has already left Paris or is unavailable may not be able to take an offered place.
What players earn from qualifying
Qualifying has its own prize-money rounds, and a player’s earnings depend on how far they advance. Players who reach the main draw then compete for the main-draw prize money associated with their result. Ranking points are also governed by the relevant tour’s points system and the player’s progress; the precise allocations can change, so check the current ATP or WTA information for a particular year.
For a lower-ranked player, qualifying can be valuable even without a deep main-draw run. Three wins can mean a place on one of tennis’s biggest stages, more ranking opportunities and a chance to face a top player. But the standard is high: with only 16 places available in each singles qualifying draw, every round is effectively a knockout.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many matches must a player win to qualify for the French Open?
Three. Players must win three best-of-three-set matches in the qualifying draw to earn a main-draw place.
Do men play best-of-five matches in qualifying?
No. Men’s and women’s singles qualifying matches are best of three sets. Men’s best-of-five format applies in the main draw.
Can a player who loses in qualifying still play in the main draw?
Yes, potentially. A qualifying loser may be selected as a lucky loser if a main-draw place opens up and the player is eligible and available. It is not guaranteed.
Does a qualifying wildcard put a player straight into the main draw?
No. A qualifying wildcard gives the player entry to qualifying. They still need to win three matches to reach the main draw.
Final Thoughts
French Open qualifying is a three-round test: win three matches, and a player earns a place in the main draw; lose, and only a possible lucky-loser opening may offer another route. Rankings determine much of the entry list, while wildcards give organizers another way to fill the qualifying field. The format is straightforward, but the margin for error is small—and getting through can require both strong tennis and the stamina to play an extra three matches on clay.
