A long list of WTA icons went through their entire careers without winning a Grand Slam title, with many current players now aiming to avoid that fate.
Another opportunity has now arrived at Roland Garros, where a handful of players can clinch their maiden major success.
The likes of Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Elina Svitolina, Mirra Andreeva and Jasmine Paolini all find themselves in that WTA category.
And it is a debate that has now been had by former players Chanda Rubin and Jimmy Arias, who named two different players when picking the best current woman yet to win a major.
Who is your dark horse for the Roland Garros title this year?
Chanda Rubin picks the best current WTA player without a Grand Slam title
Sharing her verdict, Rubin said on Tennis Channel: “I think in terms of current players and form, I’d go with Anisimova, of course.
“24 years old, in terms of the runway that’s in front of her as well. I had Svitolina, I picked her to maybe win Roland Garros, so I think she’s right there.
“But in terms of the runway and what she’s accomplished recently, getting to major finals, I’d say Anisimova.”
Also sharing his take, former ATP player Arias said: “I mean I feel a little bit like Chanda in that I picked Andreeva to win this title, so obviously I should pick her.
“But, it’s more of… first of all I’m from Buffalo, I’ve worked a little bit with Jess Pegula, and I feel that Buffalo needs somebody to win something.
“They lose… the Bills can make it to the finals. Pegula made it to the finals of the US Open. The Sabres have made it to the finals of the Stanley Cup before.
“Pegula is the one who’s going to finally win it for Buffalo.”
Should women play best-of-five sets at Grand Slams?
What is Amanda Anisimova’s record at Grand Slams?
Pegula has indeed come close to winning a Grand Slam, having lost the 2024 US Open final to Aryna Sabalenka.
But her fellow American Anisimova has two near misses to her name, having suffered the exact same fate against the Belarusian the following year in New York.
And shortly before losing the 2025 US Open final to Sabalenka, she was beaten 6-0, 6-0 by Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final.
| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
| Loss | 2025 | Wimbledon | Grass | Iga Swiatek | 0–6, 0–6 |
| Loss | 2025 | US Open | Hard | Aryna Sabalenka | 3–6, 6–7(3–7) |
Elsewhere, Anisimova made it to the semifinals of Roland Garros in 2019, while this year she reached the Australian Open quarterfinals, her best result in Melbourne.
The world number six has now turned her focus back to Paris, where she meets Julia Grabher in round two after beating Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-3, 6-1.
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