Paris – 02.06.2026: The 2026 French Open ended disappointingly for French tennis fans as the home players were eliminated early and none reached the quarterfinals. Ivan Ljubičić, Director of High-Performance Tennis at the Fédération Française de Tennis (FFT), nonetheless offers a nuanced assessment and looks optimistically to the future.
Ljubičić acknowledged that the results of the French players did not meet expectations: “A country like France deserves more.” He pointed to the disappointing outcomes but simultaneously praised the individual improvements, particularly of Moïse Kouamé and Diane Parry. “The performances of Diane Parry and Moïse Kouamé are very positive and show that we have young talents with potential. We need to foster this development and keep progressing.”
The 17-year-old Kouamé drew attention by defeating former world No. 3 Marin Čilić in three sets as a wildcard entrant. His victory at Roland-Garros impressed through mental resilience and tactical skill. Although Kouamé narrowly exited in the second round against Alejandro Tabilo, his performance demonstrates great potential. “He has understood that he is part of this circle,” Ljubičić praised him.
For Ljubičić, looking at the next generation is crucial: “I am not worried about the future of French tennis. There is a new generation of promising talents who will deliver positive results in the coming years.” The FFT continues to focus on targeted development and aims to support talents like Kouamé in the best possible way to bring them to the world’s top level.
Besides Kouamé and Parry, other young players are ready to make an impact during the upcoming season and future Grand Slams. A key focus is on developing mental strength, tactical understanding, and international competition experience to remain competitive at the highest level.
Despite the early exits, the 2026 French Open was a valuable experience for the French professionals and their coaches. Ivan Ljubičić emphasizes that setbacks and challenges are part of the process: “It is neither good nor bad, just normal. We accept reality, work on it, and look ahead.” Alongside supporting young players, the FFT also aims to further improve structures to see more French success at major tournaments in the long term.
French tennis fans can therefore look forward to the coming years, where talents like Moïse Kouamé will play a crucial role in becoming more prominent again on the big stage.
Sources
- Boursorama
- L’Équipe
- France Info