A run at Roland-Garros can transform a player’s ranking, but the number of points depends on more than whether they win or lose a particular match. The round they reach matters, so does the result they are replacing from the year before, and the men’s and women’s tours do not award exactly the same points at every stage.
How many ranking points does the French Open award?
The French Open awards ranking points according to how far a player advances in the singles draw. The champion receives 2,000 points on both the ATP Tour and the WTA Tour. Points for the rounds before the final differ between the tours:
| French Open result | ATP singles points | WTA singles points |
|---|---|---|
| Champion | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Finalist | 1,300 | 1,300 |
| Semifinalist | 800 | 780 |
| Quarterfinalist | 400 | 430 |
| Round of 16 | 200 | 240 |
| Round of 32 | 100 | 130 |
| Round of 64 | 50 | 70 |
| Round of 128 | 10 | 10 |
These are the points for the singles main draw. The men’s and women’s competitions award the same points to their champions and finalists, but the lower-round values differ. Qualifying points are handled separately, and doubles use separate ranking systems.
Why last year’s result matters
Tour rankings are rolling totals, not a fresh scorecard that begins at the French Open each year. A result generally stays in a player’s ranking calculation for about 52 weeks. When the next edition of the tournament comes around, the old result comes off and the new one takes its place.
That is why commentators talk about a player “defending” points. Suppose an ATP player reached the quarterfinals last year, earning 400 points, then makes the semifinals this year, earning 800. All else being equal, that French Open result adds 400 points to the player’s total. If the player instead loses in the first round, the new 10 points replace the old 400, a net decrease of 390.
The swings can be much larger for a defending champion. A player who earned 2,000 points by winning last year and exits in the quarterfinals this year replaces those 2,000 with 400. That is a 1,600-point drop from the tournament, even though the player still had a strong run.
“Defending points” does not mean a player has to repeat the same result to remain in the rankings. It simply describes the change between last year’s points and this year’s. Their overall ranking can also be affected by results at other tournaments falling out of the calculation or being added.
When do the points affect a player’s ranking?
The tournament result determines the points, but the ranking is an overall total built from eligible results under the relevant tour’s rules. A French Open performance can move a player up or down, but it does not guarantee a particular ranking. The effect depends on the player’s existing total and what other players do at the same time.
Rankings and the Race are related but answer different questions. The rolling ranking reflects results over roughly the previous year. The ATP Race and WTA Race track results within the calendar year and are used in the race to qualify for the season-ending championships. French Open points contribute to both systems, but a player’s position in the Race is not the same as their regular ranking.
Points earned at Roland-Garros also do not change a player’s seed in the tournament already underway. Seeds are set before the draw. A strong run can improve a player’s position for later events once the ranking update is applied, which may help them receive a higher seed or gain direct entry to tournaments.
What the points mean for players and fans
For players, the French Open is one of the biggest opportunities of the season to build a ranking total. A champion earns 2,000 points, while even a first-round main-draw appearance is worth 10. Players who come through qualifying may also earn qualifying points under tour rules, in addition to points for their main-draw progress.
For fans, the points help explain why two players can have very different ranking stakes in the same match. One might be trying to add to a modest total after an early exit the previous year; another could be trying to replace a deep run or a title. The score on court decides who advances, but the ranking impact depends on that comparison with last year.
The points are not prize money. A player’s ranking points determine their place in the rankings; tournament prize money is awarded separately. And although a great French Open can boost a player’s standing, it cannot by itself tell you exactly how many places they will climb. That depends on the rest of the field and the player’s other counted results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points does the French Open winner get?
The singles champion receives 2,000 ranking points on both the ATP and WTA Tours.
Do ATP and WTA players get the same points at every round?
No. Both tours award 2,000 points to the champion and 1,300 to the finalist, but the points differ in several earlier rounds. For example, a semifinalist receives 800 ATP points or 780 WTA points.
Do players earn points for losing in the first round?
Yes. A player who loses in the first round of the singles main draw earns 10 points. Qualifying points, where applicable, are separate.
Why can a player lose ranking points after reaching a later round?
The ranking calculation replaces the player’s result from the previous French Open with the new one. If last year’s result was worth more points than this year’s, their total can fall despite advancing further than in some other years.
Final Thoughts
French Open ranking points are awarded by round, with a 2,000-point prize for the singles champions and different lower-round allocations on the ATP and WTA Tours. The key detail is that the new result replaces the previous year’s result, so a player’s ranking gain or loss depends on both performances. That makes the points table useful on its own, but the year-to-year comparison explains what a Roland-Garros run really means for a player’s ranking.
