Roland-Garros 2023: Ruud leads Team Yonex in Paris

PARIS, FRANCE — Former men's singles finalist Casper Ruud leads Team Yonex at Roland-Garros, with the second Grand Slam tournament of the year starting on Sunday.

Yonex's ambassadors in Paris also include three of the top five women in the WTA Rankings, in Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina and Caroline Garcia, along with a former men’s singles champion in Stan Wawrinka.

Ruud looking for a first Grand Slam
Casper Ruud (NOR) is driven by his ambition to win the sport's biggest prizes. The Norwegian, who reached his first major final at Roland-Garros last season, and then his second at last season's US Open, returns to Paris in search of his maiden Grand Slam. The World No. 4 has the game, as well as the self-belief, to achieve a breakthrough.

Pegula's American dream
Jessica Pegula (USA) will be trying to become the first American women's singles champion in Paris for eight years. The World No. 3 reached the last eight at Roland-Garros last season, her longest run yet at the most physically demanding of the four majors.

Rybakina's perfect preparation
Elena Rybakina (KAZ) had the ideal preparation for Roland-Garros with a victory at Rome's Foro Italico that brought her a first WTA 1000 singles title on clay. Now at a career high of No. 4 in the WTA Rankings, the Wimbledon champion will be striving to show the tennis world she can win a Grand Slam title on clay as well as on grass. 

New head-to-toe look for Garcia
Caroline Garcia (FRA) has switched from a racquet contract to a comprehensive contract with Yonex that includes racquets, apparel, shoes and more. Showcasing this new head-to-toe look, the World No. 5 is going for glory at her home Grand Slam. 

Tiafoe ready to break new ground
For the first time, Frances Tiafoe (USA) plays Roland-Garros having won an ATP singles title on clay, with that victory coming in Houston this season. The American, who is No. 12 in the ATP Rankings, will be attempting to break new ground by reaching the second week.

Pole position for Hurkacz
Hubert Hurkacz (POL), who last year reached the fourth round at Roland-Garros for the first time, will believe he can progress even further into the draw this spring. The Pole, who is currently No. 13 in the ATP Rankings, also made the last 16 at this year’s Australian Open and is best known for making the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 2021.

Shelton hoping to make a good first impression once again
Ben Shelton (USA), a debutant at Roland-Garros this spring, knows how to make a good first impression. When the 20-year-old American travelled to Melbourne for this January’s Australian Open, it was the first time in his life he had been on a trip outside the United States and yet he played some outstanding tennis to reach the quarterfinals.

 Former champion Wawrinka 
Eight years after Stan Wawrinka (SUI) won the men’s singles title at Roland-Garros in 2015, he remains an electrifying presence on the Parisian clay. The Swiss, who is known for the power and the majesty of his single-handed backhand, was also a finalist in 2017. 

2023 Paris Collection
Casper Ruud, Caroline Garcia, Hubert Hurkacz, Stan Wawrinka and others will be wearing the Yonex 2023 Paris Collection at Roland-Garros. Inspired by the elegance of Roland-Garros, the collection has a stylish color palette that includes rose pink and navy blue, while the Japanese innovation ensures that the players will stay cool and comfortable when competing on the clay. For effortless head to toe style, shoes from the Yonex footwear range can be easily matched with the Paris Collection.

Casper Ruud (NOR) | EZONE 100 / POLYTOUR SPIN / POLYTOUR PRO 130 / ECLIPSION / Paris Collection
Jessica Pegula (USA) | EZONE 98
Elena Rybakina (KAZ) | VCORE 100 / POLYTOUR FIRE 125
Caroline Garcia (FRA) | VCORE 100 / POLYTOUR STRIKE 125 / Paris Collection
Frances Tiafoe (USA) | VCORE PRO 97 /POLYTOUR PRO 125
Hubert Hurkacz (POL) | VCORE PRO 97 / ECLIPSION / Paris Collection
Ben Shelton (USA) | EZONE 98 / POLYTOUR REV 125
Stan Wawrinka (SUI) | VCORE PRO 97 / ECLIPSION / Paris Collection