Before the tennis world tunes in for the glamour of Court Philippe-Chatrier and the high-stakes battles of Grand Slam main draws, a different kind of drama unfolds just beyond the spotlight—a test of grit, hunger, and hope on the slow-burning red clay of Paris.

Welcome to Roland Garros qualifying week. 

Here, dreams ignite on the outer courts where the clay is dusted across sneakers, the air hums with quiet intensity, and the crowd leans in a little closer. These are the proving grounds, lined with intimate seating, watchful coaches, devoted families, and die-hard tennis fans who know that some of the sport’s most unforgettable stories start far from the spotlight.

It’s a world of sweat-soaked socks, early morning warm-ups, and the unmistakable thud of a ball sinking into red clay. Over five demanding days, players grind through best-of-three matches that calls for unshakable focus and full-body precision. The clay slows everything down, making each point feel longer, harder, and heavier. Every match is a mountain to climb, and no one gets carried to the top.

Qualifying week is where underdogs become contenders, where grinders reveal their greatness, and where rising talents begin carving out their place in the game. For a handful of players with Southern California roots—shaped by sun-drenched junior tournaments, CIF championship runs, and powerhouse college programs—this week represents more than just entry into the main draw. It’s the culmination of years of belief, sacrifice, and hustle. It’s their moment to prove they belong, not just in Paris, but in the conversation.

They arrive with different stories. Some, like former University of Southern California (USC), University of San Diego (USD), and UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) standouts, are trying to take the next step in their professional careers. Others, who grew up training under the California sun, are looking to turn their local success into a global breakthrough. But what they share is the drive to fight their way into the main draw of one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world—and they’ll have to earn it, one dusty rally at a time.

Since its origins as a single-day competition in 1891, the French Open has evolved into a Grand Slam like no other; steeped in history, soaked in emotion, and defined by its clay. When the tournament opened its doors to international players in 1925, it became a global battleground. But even then, no one could have predicted the dominance of Rafael Nadal, who would go on to claim a staggering 14 titles on this surface, earning the eternal moniker, The King of Clay.

Nadal won’t compete this year, but he remains the tournament’s spiritual heartbeat. His voice, not his forehand, leads the charge this time around, narrating the tournament’s official teaser trailer, a 45-second cinematic poem that echoes across social media. As clips of sliding footwork and signature Parisian crowds flash by, Nadal delivers a line that lingers: “Only the clay where champions fight, only the glide, the power, only the endurance until the night, only where tennis and everyone rhyme… only where the clay marks passion in red, only where rituals leave a trace, only a stage for courage and fire, only here where all dreams transpire, only at Roland Garros.”

For the Southern California competitors in this year’s qualifying draw, those words hit home.

This isn’t just a chance to compete, it’s a shot at transformation. To walk through the gates as a qualifier at the French Open and walk out as a name the tennis world remembers. It’s about heart, hustle, and believing you belong, whether you grew up on the hard courts of Torrance, trained under palm trees in Palm Desert, or sharpened your game on campus courts in Westwood or South Central.

On Monday, May 19 at 10:00AM BST (3:00AM PDT), the first ball will be struck on the outer courts of Stade Roland Garros, where the echoes of effort and ambition will begin to build. The next five days will bring triumphs, heartbreak, and maybe even the rise of a new star.

And if you’re from Southern California, you’ll recognize a few of the names in the qualifying draw—familiar faces, hometown heroes, and college greats with clay-stained socks and something to prove.

Their road starts now. Their dreams are red.

As the qualifying draw unfolds on the storied red clay of Roland Garros, eight players with deep Southern California ties—whether born and raised or sharpened on college courts across the region—are ready to make their mark. From collegiate standouts to seasoned pros, each brings a distinct journey and a shared goal: to fight their way into the main draw and seize a shot at Parisian glory.

Roland Garros Men’s Qualifying

At 27 years old, Rolling Hills native and former USC Trojan Brandon Holt (No. 104 in the PIF ATP Rankings) leads the charge for Team SoCal in the men’s qualifying draw. Holt first turned heads on the Grand Slam stage with his unforgettable 2022 US Open debut where he stunned fellow Southern Californian Taylor Fritz in the opening round of the main draw. The son of Southern California tennis legend Tracy Austin, Holt has stepped confidently out of the shadow of legacy, crafting a game built on clean ball-striking, quiet intensity, and unshakable composure. 

Now returning to Roland Garros after a first-round qualifying exit in 2023, Holt arrives with titles from the 2024 ITF M25 Bakersfield, the Bengaluru Challenger 125, and the Nonthaburi 3 Challenger 75, and a sharpened mindset to match. “I try not to have a different mindset for any match,” Holt said. “Of course I didn’t grow up playing on clay so the surface is more unfamiliar, but I always go into a match believing I can win first and foremost. If I try my best and believe in myself there are only good outcomes.”

That belief is backed by the tenacity he developed during his college years. “Going to USC taught me how to fight for every point,” Holt reflected, “and that’s what you have to do on clay. You have to be ready to play all day long and play long points.”

With confidence rising and composure intact, Holt is poised for a breakthrough in Paris, alongside fellow members of Team SoCal chasing the same dream.

Altadena native Tristan Boyer (No. 122), isn’t just comfortable on clay, he thrives on it. A fan of the surface from a young age, Boyer began training at 12 years old with coach Zibu Ncube on Ncube’s private backyard clay courts in Woodland Hills, learning early the patience and endurance required to succeed on the red dirt. After two seasons at Stanford and a determined comeback from injury, Boyer surged in 2024 by capturing his first three ATP Challenger titles, all on clay, in Mexico, Brazil, and Uruguay. He carried that momentum into 2025, qualifying for the Australian Open and reaching the second round, followed by an impressive run at BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells where he scored his first ATP Masters 1000 win.

Now in his second appearance at Roland Garros, the 24-year-old returns to Paris with clay clearly in his comfort zone and momentum on his side. After falling in the first round of qualifying last year, he’s back with more experience, belief, and a growing list of career milestones, ready to turn lessons learned into his next breakthrough. 

“I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite surface [clay court], I feel just as comfortable on hard court,” explained Tristan. “I’m excited to be at a big event and get a chance to compete against the best! My expectations are to do the best I can and compete my hardest every match.”

Next up is another former Trojan making noise on the red clay. Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann (No. 125), a former USC standout who honed his craft on the courts of David X. Marks Tennis Stadium, brings a wealth of clay-court experience and a veteran’s poise. He has appeared in the Roland Garros main draw four times, owns a career-high ranking of No. 45, and has found form this year with deep runs at the Chile Open and BMW Open. With match fitness and familiarity on his side, Hanfmann is poised to push deeper.

UCSB alum Nicolas Moreno De Alboran (No. 149) is heading to Paris with serious momentum after winning the 2024 USTA Roland Garros Wild Card Challenge—a coveted ticket to the French Open also earned this year by Emilio Nava and teenager Iva Jovic. Known for his relentless work ethic and tactical grit, Moreno De Alboran has been building toward a breakthrough, and now he’s got the clay, the form, and the moment to make it happen.

A patient aggressor with a cerebral approach, Moreno De Alboran thrives on constructing points with precision. From farther behind the baseline, he looks to quarterback rallies by varying his shot shape mixing heavy topspin forehands with low, skidding backhand slices that disrupt rhythm and create openings on the court. This calculated blend of spin, depth, and timing allows him to control the tempo and steadily maneuver opponents out of position. It’s a style built for the clay, where shape and shot tolerance are currency, and where his steady rise may find its biggest reward yet.

August Holmgren (No. 188) brings a dynamic, all-court game built on a big serve, sharp hands at the net, a big forehand, and a signature one-handed backhand. His style brings a modern spin on the classic serve-and-volley approach, thriving on forward movement, aggressive court positioning, and smart point construction. Relentlessly assertive, Holmgren looks to take control early, using his court sense and shot weight to dictate play and finish points at the net with confidence.

Holmgren spent five years at the University of San Diego from 2017 to 2022, building his game under the guidance of head coach Ryan Keckley. During this period, he transformed from a player ranked No. 1,359 in the world in 2017 to an impressive No. 482 by the time he finished school. Holmgren’s collegiate success includes being named the 2021 West Coast Conference Player of the Year, reaching the NCAA Singles final in 2022, and earning All-American honors in both singles and doubles, cementing his place as the most decorated player in USD tennis history.

Transitioning to the pro circuit in 2022, Holmgren’s momentum accelerated as he swept the singles and doubles titles at the inaugural SoCal Pro Series (formerly the SoCal Pro Circuit) stop in San Diego and made a finals run at Barnes Tennis Center. By 2023, he had climbed further to No. 296, and in August 2024, he reached a career-high ranking of No. 163.

Since college, Holmgren has continued to build on his success, representing Denmark in the Davis Cup, collecting three ITF singles titles, and adding two ATP Challenger trophies to his growing list of achievements. Now the No. 3 Danish player, he arrives in Paris with confidence, experience, and a fearless game perfectly suited for the big stage: “I feel good physically. I expect to compete with a lot of discipline and put myself in situations of opportunity. If I can do that, then the result of the matches will just come down to execution in the moment.”

When asked about what he was most excited for, the 27-year-old Dane explained: “I’m most looking forward to competing at that stage with my coach, Jonas Svendsen, with me. Jonas is one of the two coaches that help me right now along with Frederik Nielsen, but he is the one I have been working with longer than anyone else. Jonas started coaching me when I was 10, so this feels like a culmination in the work that we have put in over these past 17 years.”

The final player representing Southern California is Zachary “Zach” Svajda (No. 227), a 22-year-old from Pacific Beach. A two-time USTA Boys’ 18s National Champion, Svajda turned pro in 2019 and has since captured four ATP Challenger titles and three ITF crowns, including the M15 Fountain Valley and M15 Los Angeles events during the 2022 SoCal Pro Series. Known for his clean ball-striking and composure, he achieved a career-high ranking of No. 102 in August 2024. Now, Svajda aims to advance to his first Roland Garros main draw, seeking to add a new milestone to his promising career.

Roland Garros Women’s Qualifying

Rancho Palos Verdes native and former UCLA All-American Ena Shibahara (No. 139), representing Japan, knows what it takes to win on the storied clay of Roland Garros. In 2022, she etched her name into Grand Slam history by capturing the Mixed Doubles title alongside Wesley Koolhof. Long known for her sharp instincts and net prowess, Shibahara has spent the past two years redefining her career trajectory, shifting her focus to singles with impressive results. 

She has steadily climbed the ranks, showcasing grit and growth at every step. She qualified for her first Grand Slam singles main draw at the 2024 US Open, battling through two intense three-setters and stunning former world No. 45 Daria Saville in a thrilling opening-round win. 

In 2025, Shibahara reached her first WTA singles quarterfinal at the WTA Austin Open, displaying improved movement, mental toughness, and a more aggressive baseline game. Her upward momentum has also carried into team competition, where she’s contributed in both singles and doubles for Japan in the Billie Jean King Cup which was highlighted by a clutch doubles win with Shuko Aoyama against Canada that helped secure Japan’s place in the 2025 Finals. Now, Shibahara returns to Paris with confidence and championship pedigree, bringing Southern California grit and Olympic-honed resilience to the singles qualifying draw at Roland Garros.

“I am really excited to be back in Roland Garros! One of my best career achievements was, of course, winning the Mixed Doubles here so I always love coming back,” exclaimed Shibahara. “I am especially excited this year because I will be playing singles qualifying for the first time. It’s just another one of these moments where I am so proud of all of the hard work and belief that I put in myself to make these experience happen.”

Fontana’s Hanna Chang (No. 180) enters Roland Garros qualifying with a solid résumé and a hunger to take the next step. A nine-time ITF singles champion, Chang broke new ground last year by reaching her first WTA 125 final at the 2024 Fifth Third Charleston, where she battled through a strong field before falling to top seed Renata Zarazúa. She also made a statement closer to home, capturing the singles title at the 2023 SoCal Pro Series in Lakewood—further proof of her growing consistency and competitive edge. After making her Roland Garros qualifying debut in 2022, she returns to the Paris clay more seasoned, more dangerous, and ready to push for a long-awaited breakthrough.

As the sun rises in SoCal and sets in Paris, seven players from our backyard are chasing the dream—point by point, match by match. Whether they make the main draw or not, their fight already speaks volumes.

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* PIF ATP Rankings and PIF WTA Rankings are as of May 5, 2025