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2012 French Open
2012 French Open
2012 French Open
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2012 French Open
Date27 May – 11 June 2012
Edition111
Category82nd Grand Slam (ITF)
SurfaceClay
LocationParis (XVIe), France
VenueStade Roland Garros
Attendance430,093
Champions
Men's singles
Spain Rafael Nadal
Women's singles
Russia Maria Sharapova
Men's doubles
Belarus Max Mirnyi / Canada Daniel Nestor
Women's doubles
Italy Sara Errani / Italy Roberta Vinci
Mixed doubles
India Sania Mirza / India Mahesh Bhupathi
Wheelchair men's singles
France Stéphane Houdet
Wheelchair women's singles
Netherlands Esther Vergeer
Wheelchair men's doubles
France Frédéric Cattanéo / Japan Shingo Kunieda
Wheelchair women's doubles
Netherlands Marjolein Buis / Netherlands Esther Vergeer
Boys' singles
Belgium Kimmer Coppejans
Girls' singles
Germany Annika Beck
Boys' doubles
Australia Andrew Harris / Australia Nick Kyrgios
Girls' doubles
Russia Daria Gavrilova / Russia Irina Khromacheva
Legends under 45 doubles
Spain Albert Costa / Spain Carlos Moyá
Women's legends doubles
United States Lindsay Davenport / Switzerland Martina Hingis
Legends over 45 doubles
United States John McEnroe / United States Patrick McEnroe
← 2011 ·
· 2013 →

The 2012 French Open (also known as Roland Garros, after the famous French aviator) was a tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts. It was the 111th edition of the French Open, and took place at the Stade Roland Garros from 27 May until 11 June 2012.[1]

Rafael Nadal won the tournament for the third year in succession, and the seventh time in eight years, defeating first-time Roland Garros finalist Novak Djokovic. His seventh title broke Björn Borg's record of six French Open Men's Singles titles, and equalled Chris Evert's record for most French Open titles won by a man or woman. Li Na was unsuccessful in her title defence, being defeated in the fourth round by Yaroslava Shvedova. Maria Sharapova defeated 21st seed Sara Errani in the final to win her first French Open title, to complete a career Grand Slam, and to return to the World No. 1 ranking for the first time in four years.[2]

This championship was the second time in grand slam history that two multiple slam sets were accomplished in two different disciplines, and that was Mahesh Bhupathi won his first multiple slam in Mixed Doubles, and Esther Vergeer won her second multiple slam set in Women's Wheelchair Doubles. At the 1969 US Open, Rod Laver won his first multiple slam set in Men's Singles, and his fellow countryman Ken Rosewall did in Men's Doubles for the first time. This would occur again for the third time at the 2013 French Open.

Tournament

[edit]
Court Philippe Chatrier where the Finals of the French Open take place.

The 2012 French Open was the one hundred and eleventh edition of the French Open and was held at Stade Roland Garros in Paris.[3] The Men's Singles final was won by Rafael Nadal by defeating Novak Djokovic in the final. By winning his seventh title at Roland Garros, Nadal surpassed Borg's overall titles record to become the most successful tennis player in French Open history. The tournament was an event run by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and is part of the 2012 ATP World Tour and the 2012 WTA Tour calendars under the Grand Slam category. The tournament consisted of both men's and women's singles and doubles draws as well as a mixed doubles event.[4]

There was a singles and doubles events for both boys and girls (players under 18), which is part of the Grade A category of tournaments, and singles and doubles events for men's and women's wheelchair tennis players as part of the NEC tour under the Grand Slam category. The tournament was played on clay courts and took place over a series of twenty courts, including the three main showcourts, Court Philippe Chatrier, Court Suzanne Lenglen and Court 1.

Prize money and ranking points

[edit]

For 2012, the prize money purse was increased to €18,718,000 from €17,520,000 in 2011. The prize money and points breakdown is as follows:[5]

Points

[edit]

Seniors

[edit]
Event W F SF QF Round of 16 Round of 32 Round of 64 Round of 128 Q Q3 Q2 Q1
Men's singles 2000 1200 720 360 180 90 45 10 25 16 8 0
Men's doubles 0 – – – – –
Women's singles 1400 900 500 280 160 100 5 60 50 40 2
Women's doubles 5 – – – – –

Junior

[edit]

Below is a table charting the points that are available to the boys and girls in boy singles and doubles play.

Stage[6][7] Boys' singles Boys' doubles Girls' singles Girls' doubles
Champion 250 180 250 180
Runner up 180 120 180 120
Semifinals 120 80 120 80
Quarterfinals 80 50 80 50
Round of 16 50 30 50 30
Round of 32 30 – 30 –
Qualifier who loses in first round 25 25
Qualifying final round 20 20

Wheelchair

[edit]
Stage[8] Men's singles Men's doubles Women's singles Women's doubles
Champion 800
Runner up 500
Semifinals 375 100 375 100
Quarterfinals 100 – 100 –

Prize money

[edit]
Event W F SF QF Round of 16 Round of 32 Round of 64 Round of 128 Q3 Q2 Q1
Singles €1,250,000 €625,000 €310,000 €155,000 €80,000 €47,000 €28,000 €18,000 €9,000 €4,500 €2,500
Doubles * €340,000 €170,000 €85,000 €43,000 €23,000 €12,000 €8,000 – – – –
Mixed doubles * €100,000 €50,000 €25,000 €13,000 €7,000 €3,500 – – – – –
Wheelchair singles €15,000 €7,500 €4,000 €2,500 – – – – – – –
Wheelchair doubles * €5,000 €2,500 €1,500 – – – – – – – –

* per team

Singles players

[edit]

Men's singles

Women's singles

Day-by-day summaries

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Day-by-day summaries

Events

[edit]

Seniors

[edit]

Men's singles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Men's singles

Spain Rafael Nadal defeated Serbia Novak Djokovic 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5

*It was Nadal's eleventh career Grand Slam title and his 7th title at French Open. It was his 4th title of the year, 50th title overall.

Women's singles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Women's singles

Russia Maria Sharapova defeated Italy Sara Errani, 6–3, 6–2

*It was Sharapova's fourth career Grand Slam title and her 1st title at French Open.

Men's doubles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Men's doubles

Belarus Max Mirnyi / Canada Daniel Nestor defeated United States Bob Bryan / United States Mike Bryan, 6–4, 6–4

*It was Mirnyi's sixth career Grand Slam doubles title and his 4th title at French Open.
*It was Nestor's eighth career Grand Slam doubles title and his 4th title at French Open.

Women's doubles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Women's doubles

Italy Sara Errani / Italy Roberta Vinci defeated Russia Maria Kirilenko / Russia Nadia Petrova, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2

*It was Errani and Vinci's first career Grand Slam doubles title.

Mixed doubles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Mixed doubles

India Sania Mirza / India Mahesh Bhupathi defeated Poland Klaudia Jans-Ignacik / Mexico Santiago González, 7–6(7–3), 6–1

*It was Mirza's second career Grand Slam mixed doubles title and her 1st title at French Open.
*It was Bhupathi's eight career Grand Slam mixed doubles title and his 3rd title at French Open.

Juniors

[edit]

Boys' singles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Boys' singles

Belgium Kimmer Coppejans defeated Canada Filip Peliwo 6–1, 6–4

Girls' singles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Girls' singles

Germany Annika Beck defeated Slovakia Anna Karolína Schmiedlová, 3–6, 7–5, 6–3

Boys' doubles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Boys' doubles

Australia Andrew Harris / Australia Nick Kyrgios defeated Czech Republic Adam Pavlásek / Czech Republic Václav Šafránek, 6–4, 2–6, [10–7]

Girls' doubles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Girls' doubles

Russia Daria Gavrilova / Russia Irina Khromacheva defeated Paraguay Montserrat González / Brazil Beatriz Haddad Maia, 4–6, 6–4, [10–8]

Wheelchair events

[edit]

Wheelchair men's singles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Wheelchair men's singles

France Stéphane Houdet defeated Japan Shingo Kunieda, 6–2, 2–6, 7–6(8–6)

Wheelchair women's singles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Wheelchair women's singles

Netherlands Esther Vergeer defeated Netherlands Aniek van Koot, 6–0, 6–0

Wheelchair men's doubles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Wheelchair men's doubles

France Frédéric Cattanéo / Japan Shingo Kunieda defeated France Michaël Jérémiasz / Sweden Stefan Olsson, 3–6, 7–6(7–3), [10–6]

Wheelchair women's doubles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Wheelchair women's doubles

Netherlands Marjolein Buis / Netherlands Esther Vergeer defeated Germany Sabine Ellerbrock / Japan Yui Kamiji, 6–0, 6–1

Other events

[edit]

Legends under 45 doubles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Legends under 45 doubles

Spain Albert Costa / Spain Carlos Moyá defeated Sweden Thomas Enqvist / Australia Todd Woodbridge, 6–2, 6–1

Legends over 45 doubles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Legends over 45 doubles

United States John McEnroe / United States Patrick McEnroe defeated France Guy Forget / France Henri Leconte, 7–6(7–5), 6–3

Women's legends doubles

[edit]
Main article: 2012 French Open – Women's legends doubles

United States Lindsay Davenport / Switzerland Martina Hingis defeated United States Martina Navratilova / Czech Republic Jana Novotná, 6–4, 6–4

Singles seeds

[edit]

The following are the seeded players and notable players who withdrew from the event. Seedings based on ATP and WTA rankings are as of 21 May 2012, Rankings and Points are as of 28 May 2012.

Because the tournament takes place one week later than in 2011, points defending includes results from both the 2011 French Open and tournaments from the week of 6 June 2011 (Halle and London for men; Birmingham and Copenhagen for women).

Men's singles

[edit]
Seed Rank[9] Player Points before Points defending Points won Points after Status
1 1 Serbia Novak Djokovic 11,800 720 1,200 12,280 Runner-up, lost to Spain Rafael Nadal [2]
2 2 Spain Rafael Nadal 10,060 2,000+45 2,000+45 10,060 Champion, defeated Serbia Novak Djokovic [1]
3 3 Switzerland Roger Federer 9,790 1,200 720 9,310 Semifinals lost to Serbia Novak Djokovic [1]
4 4 United Kingdom Andy Murray 7,500 720+250 360+90 6,980 Quarterfinals lost to Spain David Ferrer [6]
5 5 France Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4,965 90+150 360+145 5,230 Quarterfinals lost to Serbia Novak Djokovic [1]
6 6 Spain David Ferrer 4,640 180 720 5,180 Semifinals lost to Spain Rafael Nadal [2]
7 7 Czech Republic Tomáš Berdych 4,515 10+90 180+90 4,685 Fourth round lost to Argentina Juan Martín del Potro [9]
8 8 Serbia Janko Tipsarević 3,110 90+20 180+20 3,200 Fourth round lost to Spain Nicolás Almagro [12]
9 9 Argentina Juan Martín del Potro 2,910 90+20 360+20 3,180 Quarterfinals lost to Switzerland Roger Federer [3]
10 11 United States John Isner 2,620 10 45 2,655 Second round lost to France Paul-Henri Mathieu [WC]
11 12 France Gilles Simon 2,615 180+10 90+10 2,525 Third round lost to Switzerland Stan Wawrinka [18]
12 13 Spain Nicolás Almagro 2,255 10 360 2,605 Quarterfinals lost to Spain Rafael Nadal [2]
13 15 Argentina Juan Mónaco 1,945 10 180 2,115 Fourth round lost to Spain Rafael Nadal [2]
14 16 Spain Fernando Verdasco 1,765 90+45 90+45 1,765 Third round lost to Italy Andreas Seppi [22]
15 17 Spain Feliciano López 1,725 10+10 10+10 1,725 First round retired against France Florent Serra [Q]
16 19 Ukraine Alexandr Dolgopolov 1,665 90+20 10+20 1,585 First round lost to Ukraine Sergiy Stakhovsky
17 20 France Richard Gasquet 1,600 180 180 1,600 Fourth round lost to United Kingdom Andy Murray [4]
18 21 Switzerland Stan Wawrinka 1,505 180+10 180+10 1,505 Fourth round lost to France Jo-Wilfried Tsonga [5]
19 22 Canada Milos Raonic 1,460 10+45 90+45 1,540 Third round lost to Argentina Juan Mónaco [13]
20 23 Spain Marcel Granollers 1,385 45 180 1,520 Fourth round lost to Spain David Ferrer [6]
21 24 Croatia Marin Čilić 1,380 10+45 90+45 1,460 Third round lost toArgentina Juan Martín del Potro [9]
22 25 Italy Andreas Seppi 1,355 45+20 180+20 1,490 Fourth round lost to Serbia Novak Djokovic [1]
23 27 Czech Republic Radek Štěpánek 1,340 10+20 10+20 1,340 First round lost to Belgium David Goffin [LL]
24 26 Germany Philipp Kohlschreiber 1,345 10+250 45+45 1,175 Second round lost to Argentina Leonardo Mayer
25 29 Australia Bernard Tomic 1,240 10 45 1,275 Second round lost to Colombia Santiago Giraldo
26 30 United States Andy Roddick 1,225 0+90 10+45 1,190 First round lost to France Nicolas Mahut
27 31 Russia Mikhail Youzhny 1,210 90 90 1,210 Third round lost to Spain David Ferrer [6]
28 28 Serbia Viktor Troicki 1,325 180+45 45+45 1,190 Second round lost to Italy Fabio Fognini
29 32 France Julien Benneteau 1,190 45 90 1,235 Third round lost to Serbia Janko Tipsarević [8]
30 33 Austria Jürgen Melzer 1,182 45 10 1,147 First round lost to Germany Michael Berrer [Q]
31 34 South Africa Kevin Anderson 1,170 45+20 90+20 1,215 Third round lost to Czech Republic Tomáš Berdych [7]
32 35 Germany Florian Mayer 1,150 45+45 45+115 1,230 Second round lost to Argentina Eduardo Schwank [Q]

The following players would have been seeded, but they withdrew from the tournament.

Rank Player Points before Points defending Points won Points after Reason
10 United States Mardy Fish 2,625 90 0 2,535 Cardiac Catheter Ablation[10]
14 France Gaël Monfils 2,165 360+90 0+90 1,805 Right knee injury[11]
18 Japan Kei Nishikori 1,690 45 0 1,645 Stomach injury[12]

Women's singles

[edit]
Seed Rank[13] Player Points before Points defending Points won Points after Status
1 1 Belarus Victoria Azarenka 9,020 500 280 8,800 Fourth round lost to Slovakia Dominika Cibulková [15]
2 2 Russia Maria Sharapova 8,390 900 2,000 9,490 Champion, defeated Italy Sara Errani [21]
3 3 Poland Agnieszka Radwańska 7,350 280 160 7,230 Third round lost to Russia Svetlana Kuznetsova [26]
4 4 Czech Republic Petra Kvitová 6,275 280 900 6,895 Semifinals lost to Russia Maria Sharapova [2]
5 5 United States Serena Williams 5,695 0 5 5,700 First round lost to France Virginie Razzano
6 6 Australia Samantha Stosur 5,440 160 900 6,180 Semifinals lost to Italy Sara Errani [21]
7 7 China Li Na 4,965 2,000 280 3,245 Fourth round lost to Kazakhstan Yaroslava Shvedova [Q]
8 8 France Marion Bartoli 4,870 900 100 4,070 Second round lost to Croatia Petra Martić
9 9 Denmark Caroline Wozniacki 4,586 160+280 160+60 4,366 Third round lost to Estonia Kaia Kanepi [23]
10 10 Germany Angelique Kerber 3,560 5 500 4,055 Quarterfinals lost to Italy Sara Errani [21]
11 11 Russia Vera Zvonareva 3,440 280 0 3,160 Withdrew because of shoulder injury[14]
12 13 Germany Sabine Lisicki 3,012 160+280 5+125 2,697 First round lost to United States Bethanie Mattek-Sands
13 14 Serbia Ana Ivanovic 2,975 5+130 160+75 3,070 Third round lost to Italy Sara Errani [21]
14 12 Italy Francesca Schiavone 3,160 1,400 160 1,920 Third round lost to United States Varvara Lepchenko
15 16 Slovakia Dominika Cibulková 2,685 5 500 3,180 Quarterfinals lost to Australia Samantha Stosur [6]
16 17 Russia Maria Kirilenko 2,475 280 100 2,295 Second round lost to Czech Republic Klára Zakopalová
17 19 Italy Roberta Vinci 2,320 160 5 2,165 First round lost to Sweden Sofia Arvidsson
18 20 Italy Flavia Pennetta 2,315 5 160 2,470 Third round lost to Germany Angelique Kerber [10]
19 21 Serbia Jelena Janković 2,260 280 100 2,080 Second round lost to United States Varvara Lepchenko
20 22 Czech Republic Lucie Šafářová 2,215 100+200 100+70 2,085 Second round lost to Spain María José Martínez Sánchez
21 24 Italy Sara Errani 2,050 100+30 1,400+30 3,350 Runner-up, lost to Russia Maria Sharapova [2]
22 25 Russia Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 2,021 500 160 1,681 Third round lost to Czech Republic Klára Zakopalová
23 23 Estonia Kaia Kanepi 2,179 160 500 2,519 Quarterfinals lost to Russia Maria Sharapova [2]
24 26 Czech Republic Petra Cetkovská 1,955 70+110 100+70 1,945 Second round lost to France Mathilde Johansson
25 27 Germany Julia Görges 1,945 160 160 1,945 Third round lost to Netherlands Arantxa Rus
26 28 Russia Svetlana Kuznetsova 1,931 500 280 1,711 Fourth round lost to Italy Sara Errani [21]
27 29 Russia Nadia Petrova 1,860 5 160 2,015 Third round lost to Australia Samantha Stosur [6]
28 30 China Peng Shuai 1,800 160+130 160+60 1,730 Third round lost to Russia Maria Sharapova [2]
29 31 Spain Anabel Medina Garrigues 1,775 100 160 1,835 Third round lost to Croatia Petra Martić
30 32 Germany Mona Barthel 1,762 160+146 5+55 1,511 First round lost to United States Lauren Davis [Q]
31 34 China Zheng Jie 1,730 100 100 1,730 Second round lost to Canada Aleksandra Wozniak
32 33 Romania Monica Niculescu 1,745 5+40 5+30 1,735 First round lost to Russia Nina Bratchikova

The following players would have been seeded, but they withdrew from the tournament.

Rank Player Points before Points defending Points won Points after Reason
15 Germany Andrea Petkovic 2,921 500 0 2,421 Right ankle injury[15]
18 Slovakia Daniela Hantuchová 2,355 280+200 0+75 1,950 Left foot injury[16]

Main draw wildcard entries

[edit]

Qualifiers

[edit]

Protected ranking

[edit]

The following players were accepted directly into the main draw using a protected ranking:

Men's singles

Withdrawals

[edit]

The following players were accepted directly into the main tournament, but withdrew with injuries or personal reasons.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2012 French Open

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2012 French Open was the second Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year, held on outdoor red clay courts at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France, from 27 May to 11 June 2012. It featured the world's top players competing for titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles across multiple categories. In the men's singles, Spain's Rafael Nadal captured a record seventh title, defeating world No. 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5 in a final delayed by rain and completed on Monday, marking the first time the men's final extended to a second day. In the women's singles, Russia's Maria Sharapova defeated Italy's Sara Errani 6–3, 6–2 to win her first French Open title and complete a career Grand Slam, becoming the 10th woman to achieve the feat. The tournament showcased intense competition and historic moments beyond the finals. Nadal's victory extended his unbeaten streak at Roland Garros to 21 matches and solidified his dominance on clay, while Djokovic, seeking his first title, fought valiantly despite the interruption. Sharapova's win propelled her back to the world No. 1 ranking, ending a four-year absence from the top spot. In doubles events, Belarus's and Canada's defended their men's title with a 6–4, 6–4 victory over American twins Bob and , securing their second consecutive crown. Italy's and claimed the women's doubles title, rallying past Russia's and 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 for their first Grand Slam as a pair. The mixed doubles was won by India's and , who defeated Poland's Klaudia Jans and Mexico's Santiago Gonzalez 7–6(3), 6–1 to earn their second major together. Several upsets and marathon matches defined the event's drama. In one of the biggest shocks, France's Virginie Razzano, ranked No. 111, stunned 13-time Grand Slam champion in the first round, 4–6, 7–6(7–5), 6–3, her first first-round loss in a Grand Slam tournament and earliest career exit at a major. Another highlight was Paul-Henri Mathieu's grueling five-set win over , 6–7(2–7), 6–4, 6–4, 3–6, 18–16, lasting 5 hours and 41 minutes—the second-longest match in history at the time. The tournament also launched "Roland Garros in ," an initiative that engaged 93,000 participants in , expanding the event's global reach.

Background and Overview

Dates and Venue

The 2012 French Open, the 111th edition of the tournament and the second Grand Slam event of the year, was held from 27 May to 11 June at in , . The men's singles final extended to 11 June due to rain delays, marking the first time since 1973 that it was played on a . Stade Roland Garros, the traditional home of the since 1928, spans 8.5 hectares and featured 20 courts during the 2012 tournament, including three main stadium courts. Court Philippe-Chatrier, with a capacity of approximately 15,000, served as the primary show court for high-profile matches. The event drew a total attendance of 430,093 spectators over its duration, reflecting strong public interest in the clay-court major.

Surface and Tournament Format

The 2012 French Open was played on outdoor red clay courts at in , a surface renowned for its slower pace compared to grass or hard courts, which allows the ball to skid less and produce a higher bounce upon landing. This clay composition, made from crushed , promotes longer rallies and rewards defensive play, endurance, and topspin-heavy strokes, as the reduces ball speed by up to 20-30% relative to faster surfaces. The tournament followed standard Grand Slam formats, with men's singles matches contested as best-of-five sets and women's singles, as well as all doubles events (men's, women's, and mixed), played as best-of-three sets. Tiebreaks were employed in all sets reaching 6-6, using a first-to-seven-points format with a two-point margin required to win, except in the deciding fifth set of men's singles, where no tiebreak was used and play continued as an advantage set until one player led by two games. This no-tiebreak rule in the final set emphasized stamina on the demanding clay surface. Draw sizes adhered to Grand Slam conventions, featuring 128 players in each singles main draw (64 men and 64 women) and 64 teams in each doubles draw. Matches were scheduled across multiple courts, including the main Philippe-Chatrier Court (capacity around 15,000) and Suzanne-Lenglen Court (around 9,000), plus several outer courts, with daily play typically starting at 11:00 or 12:00 local time and continuing until dusk, accommodating over 500 total matches across all events including qualifiers.

Administration

Prize Money

The total prize pool for the 2012 French Open amounted to €18.7 million, equivalent to approximately $24.6 million USD at prevailing exchange rates. This represented a 7% increase from the previous year, with a focus on boosting payouts for early-round participants to better cover travel and accommodation costs. In the singles events, both men's and women's champions received €1.25 million each, maintaining the tournament's policy of equal for top finishers in these categories since 2006. First-round losers in singles earned €18,000, a 20% increase from €15,000 in , reflecting efforts to support lower-ranked players. Subsequent rounds scaled upward progressively, with runner-ups receiving €625,000. For doubles competitions, winning teams split €340,000, while runner-ups shared €170,000, with amounts per player depending on team splits. followed a similar structure at a lower tier, with winners earning €100,000 per team. events offered reduced purses, such as €15,000 for singles champions, and legends exhibitions provided modest awards scaled to participation. Junior tournaments did not distribute , prioritizing ranking points instead. All prizes were disbursed in euros, subject to French tax regulations, including withholding taxes on earnings for non-resident players, which varied by nationality and treaties but could reach up to 33% in some cases.

Ranking Points Distribution

The 2012 French Open awarded ranking points according to the established systems of the ATP for men's events, the WTA for women's events, the ITF for junior and competitions, and shared ATP/WTA allocations for , reflecting the tournament's status as a Grand Slam with the highest point values among professional events. These points contributed to players' 52-week rolling rankings, emphasizing deep advancement in the draw as a key driver for career progression and qualification for subsequent tournaments. Unlike lower-tier events such as ATP 250s (up to 250 points for winners) or WTA Internationals (up to 280 points), Grand Slams provided exponentially higher rewards to incentivize top performance on clay at Roland Garros.

Men's Singles (ATP)

Points were distributed based on round reached in the 128-player draw, with the winner earning the maximum allocation to reflect the event's prestige.
Round ReachedPoints
Winner2000
Runner-up1200
Semifinals720
Quarterfinals360
Round of 16180
Round of 3290
Round of 6445
First round (Round of 128)10

Women's Singles (WTA)

The WTA system in 2012 mirrored the ATP's top allocation but featured a distinct scale for intermediate rounds in the 128-player draw, awarding 2000 points to the champion.
Round ReachedPoints
Winner2000
Runner-up1400
Semifinals900
Quarterfinals500
Round of 16280
Round of 32160
Round of 64100
First round (Round of 128)5

Doubles and (ATP/WTA)

Men's and women's doubles followed a 64-player draw with points scaled similarly to singles but adjusted for fewer rounds, awarding 2000 to winners; used the same distribution, contributing to both ATP and WTA doubles rankings. No points were awarded for the legends exhibition events.
Round ReachedPoints (per player)
Winners2000
Runners-up1200
Semifinals720
Quarterfinals360
Round of 16180
Round of 3290
First round (Round of 64)10

Junior Events (ITF)

Junior singles and doubles operated under the separate ITF World Junior Rankings, with the French Open Junior Championships classified as a Grade A event offering elevated points compared to lower grades (e.g., Grade 1 winners receive 375). The 64-player singles draw awarded points as follows, focusing on under-18 development.
Round Reached (Singles)Points
Winner250
Runner-up180
Semifinals120
Quarterfinals80
Round of 1650
Round of 3230
Doubles points followed a similar scale to singles, awarded per player for rounds reached, with no bonus for multiple titles in 2012.

Wheelchair Events (ITF)

rankings were managed by the ITF, with the French Open as a Grand Slam-level event providing the maximum points (800 for singles winners, higher than the 400 for quad singles). Draws were smaller (8-player singles), emphasizing elite competition.
Round Reached (Singles)Points
Winner800
Runner-up500
Semifinals300
Quarterfinals150
First round75
Doubles awarded comparable points (800 to ), while quads used a reduced scale (400 maximum), all contributing to year-end ITF world championships selection.

Entry and Qualification

Qualifiers

The qualifying rounds for the 2012 French Open took place from 21 to 26 May 2012 at the Roland Garros stadium in , . These pre-tournament events determined 16 spots each in the men's and women's singles main draws. Both the men's and women's singles qualifying draws featured 128 players competing in a three-round format, with all matches played as best-of-three sets on clay courts. Sixteen players were seeded in each draw to protect higher-ranked competitors from early matchups against one another. The qualifiers were held on the outer courts of Roland Garros, providing players an opportunity to acclimate to the tournament's conditions ahead of the main draw. In the men's singles, 16 players advanced to the main draw, including notable entrants such as Estonia's Jürgen Zopp, who earned his first Grand Slam main draw appearance, and France's Kenny de Schepper, a home favorite who progressed through the rounds. Other successful qualifiers included Germany's Cedrik-Marcel Stebe and Slovakia's Martin Kližan. The women's singles qualifiers also saw 16 players advance, with standout performances from the ' Kiki , who navigated the draw convincingly, and Kazakhstan's , marking a significant step in her career. Additional qualifiers included Chinese Taipei's Chan Yung-jan and the ' Alexa Glatch, highlighting the competitive depth of the field.

Wildcard Entries

The 2012 French Open, organized by the French Tennis Federation, allocated eight wildcards for the men's singles main draw and eight for the women's singles main draw, consistent with Grand Slam protocols to provide discretionary entries beyond direct qualification or ranking. Four wildcards were also granted each for men's doubles, women's doubles, and , typically favoring national teams or promising pairs. These invitations aimed to balance competitive integrity with opportunities for emerging talents, veterans, and local representation. In men's singles, wildcards went to French players including , returning from injury, and other recipients such as veterans and , along with Éric Prodon, Guillaume Rufin, and Jonathan Dasnières de Veigy. Additional wildcards were awarded to American Brian Baker, who secured his spot via the inaugural USTA Roland Garros Wild Card Challenge after seven years sidelined by injuries, and former world No. 1 of . For women's singles, French recipients featured Pauline Parmentier, a consistent performer on clay, along with young prospects like and , while Melanie Oudin earned the U.S. wildcard through the same challenge format, rewarding her strong showings on the USTA Pro Circuit. Criteria emphasized —prioritizing French athletes to enhance crowd engagement—and rehabilitation cases, such as Baker's comeback narrative. These wildcards injected diversity into the draws by including players outside the top 100 rankings, such as unranked Baker and lower-ranked French hopefuls, fostering a mix of experience, youth, and international flavor that highlighted the tournament's role in nurturing global talent pipelines.

Seeds

The seeds for the 2012 French Open singles competitions were assigned according to the official ATP and WTA rankings released on May 21, 2012, the Monday prior to the tournament draw. A total of 32 players were seeded in both the men's and women's singles draws to help distribute top-ranked competitors evenly and minimize early-round clashes among favorites. No seeds were designated for the doubles or mixed doubles events. In the men's singles, world No. 1 of received the top seed, followed by of at No. 2, reflecting their strong performances earlier in the clay-court season. The full list of top seeds highlighted a mix of established stars and rising contenders, as shown below.
SeedPlayerNationality
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
For the women's singles, of , the world No. 1, was awarded the No. 1 , with of at No. 2 after her strong showings on clay leading into the event. The seeding emphasized recent form on the surface, with several former champions included among the top ranks.
SeedPlayerNationality
1
2
3Poland
4Czech Republic
5United States
6Australia
7Denmark
8China
Seeds were positioned in the 128-player draw using the standard Grand Slam formula, where the No. 1 seed was placed at the top, the No. 2 seed at the bottom, and subsequent top seeds (Nos. 3–32) distributed across quarters and eighths of the bracket; the exact slots for seeds 9–32 were determined by random draw to maintain competitive balance.

Protected Rankings and Withdrawals

In the 2012 French Open, protected rankings allowed players who had been sidelined by long-term injuries to enter the main draw based on their pre-injury standings, provided they met the ATP and WTA criteria of at least six months out of competition. In the men's singles, two players utilized this provision: Germany's Benjamin Becker, who had missed significant time due to a wrist injury and entered at his protected ranking of No. 68, and Uruguay's , returning from a hip issue with a protected ranking of No. 54. These entries ensured that experienced players could compete without needing to qualify, though neither advanced beyond the first round. Pre-tournament withdrawals significantly altered the field, with eight players pulling out before the main draw began on May 27. On the men's side, top-10 seed Mardy Fish of the United States withdrew due to ongoing fatigue issues, opening his spot to Canadian qualifier Frank Dancevic as an alternate; former finalist Robin Söderling of Sweden cited his recovery from mononucleosis; and Gael Monfils of France, a strong clay-court contender, withdrew on May 24 with a right knee injury that sidelined him for three weeks. In women's singles, No. 15 seed Andrea Petkovic of Germany withdrew because of a right ankle injury sustained earlier in the season, replaced by Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko; other absences included No. 18 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, Agnes Szavay of Hungary, and Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland, primarily due to injuries. These changes had a notable impact on the draw and seeding. Fish's withdrawal as the highest-ranked absentee shifted seeding positions, promoting lower-ranked players like No. 11 into a higher seed and creating opportunities for qualifiers and to fill gaps. Similarly, Petkovic's exit adjusted the women's top half, easing paths for unseeded players like , who ultimately reached the final. Alternates such as Dancevic and Tsurenko entered directly but faced tough early matchups, highlighting how such disruptions introduced unpredictability to an already competitive field on clay.

Senior Events

Men's Singles

The men's singles competition at the 2012 French Open culminated in securing his seventh title at Roland Garros, defeating world No. 1 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5 in a rain-delayed final played over two days. This victory marked Nadal's record-extending seventh French Open crown, surpassing Björn Borg's previous men's record of six, and extended his career Grand Slam titles to 12. The match, lasting over four hours on court, highlighted Nadal's dominance on clay, where he improved his head-to-head record against Djokovic to 19–14 overall and 4–1 at Roland Garros. In the final, Nadal committed 29 unforced errors compared to Djokovic's 53, while both players landed 73 first serves, underscoring the intense baseline rallies that defined the encounter. The draw featured a competitive field of 128 players, with top seeds advancing amid several tense battles. Defending champion Nadal, seeded second, progressed steadily, dropping just one set en route to the semifinals, while Djokovic, on a 27-match entering the tournament, faced his sternest test in the fourth round against No. 22 , rallying from two sets down to win 4–6, 6–7(5), 6–3, 7–5, 6–3. In the quarterfinals, Djokovic eliminated No. 3 6–4, 7–5, 6–3, ending Federer's bid for a sixth semifinal; defeated No. 18 Stanislas Wawrinka 6–4, 6–4, 6–3; Nadal overcame compatriot No. 12 Nicolas Almagro 7–6(4), 6–2, 6–3; and No. 6 upset No. 4 6–4, 6–7(3), 6–3, 6–2 to reach his first Roland Garros semifinal. The semifinals showcased contrasting styles: Djokovic saved four match points in a five-set thriller against hometown favorite Tsonga, prevailing 6–1, 5–7, 5–7, 7–6(6), 6–1 to reach his first final, while Nadal dismantled Ferrer 6–2, 6–2, 6–1 in straight sets, conceding just five games. Several retirements occurred during the tournament, including No. 21 withdrawing against in the first round due to injury, and minor incidents in early rounds such as Adrian Ungur's match against . Overall, the event reinforced clay-court mastery as a key factor, with Nadal's 59th career title solidifying his status as the "King of Clay."

Women's Singles

Maria Sharapova won the women's singles title at the 2012 French Open, defeating 21st-seeded 6–3, 6–2 in the final to secure her first Roland Garros championship. The victory marked Sharapova's fourth Grand Slam singles title and completed her career Grand Slam, making her the 10th woman in the Open Era to win all four major tournaments. Played on June 9, 2012, the final lasted 89 minutes, with Sharapova dominating from the baseline and converting five of eight break-point opportunities while Errani struggled with her serve, committing 11 unforced errors to Sharapova's 29. The tournament featured several notable upsets, highlighting the unpredictability of the draw on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Defending champion , seeded 9th, was stunned in the fourth round by qualifier 3–6, 6–2, 6–0, in a match where Li committed 41 unforced errors. World No. 1 exited in the fourth round as well, losing to 15th-seeded 6–2, 7–6(4) amid windy conditions that disrupted play. The most shocking result came in the first round, where five-time Grand Slam champion fell to unranked French wild card Virginie Razzano 4–6, 7–6(5), 6–3, marking Williams' first opening-round loss at a major. These upsets opened pathways for lower seeds like Errani, who entered the tournament on a strong clay-court form after winning three titles earlier in the year. Errani's improbable run to her first Grand Slam final showcased her defensive prowess and endurance on clay. As the 21st seed, she navigated a tough draw, defeating 13th-seeded 1–6, 7–5, 6–3 in the third round, 26th-seeded 6–0, 7–5 in the fourth, 10th-seeded 6–3, 7–6(2) in the quarterfinals, and 6th-seeded 7–5, 1–6, 6–3 in the semifinals. Sharapova, the 2nd seed, dropped just one set en route to the title, overcoming early-round opponent Alexandra Cadanțu 6–0, 6–0, qualifier Klara Koukalová 6–4, 6–7(5), 6–2 in a 3-hour, 11-minute fourth-round battle, 23rd-seeded 6–2, 6–3 in the quarterfinals, and 4th-seeded 6–3, 6–3 in the semifinals. The event saw two retirements in the first round: American Jamie Hampton withdrew against due to a back injury while leading, and Slovak Magdalena Rybáriková retired against Jarmila Gajdošová with a lumbar spine issue at 1–4 in the second set. Overall, the women's draw emphasized resilience on the slow clay surface, with Sharapova's powerful game proving decisive in claiming the €1.25 million prize.

Men's Doubles

The men's doubles competition at the 2012 French Open saw top seeds of and of successfully defend their title, marking Nestor's third consecutive victory at Roland Garros in the discipline. In the final on June 9, they defeated second seeds Bob and Mike Bryan of the 6–4, 6–4, denying the American twins a record-extending 12th Grand Slam doubles crown. The victory improved Mirnyi and Nestor's partnership record at the event to 19–2 and highlighted their dominance on clay, where Nestor's net play complemented Mirnyi's powerful serving. The draw featured competitive action with a key upset in the quarterfinals, where third seeds Michaël Llodra of and of Serbia were forced to retire injured at 1–2 in the second set against tenth seeds of and of the , following a 6–4 first-set loss. The advanced by overcoming Oliver Marach of Austria and of Argentina 6–1, 4–6, 6–4, while Mirnyi and Nestor progressed straightforwardly past unseeded of and of the 6–4, 6–4. Fourteenth seeds Daniele Bracciali and Potito Starace, both of , caused another surprise by defeating eighth seeds of and of 6–2, 6–4 to reach the semifinals. In the semifinals, Mirnyi and Nestor continued their strong form, dispatching Bracciali and Starace 6–3, 6–4 without dropping serve, while the Bryans secured their final berth with a 6–3, 7–6(6) win over and Rojer, prevailing in a tight second-set tiebreak. The employed no-ad scoring for all games across its best-of-five-set , with tiebreaks at 6–6 in every set to expedite play on the slower clay surface; the only tiebreak in the later stages occurred in the Bryans' semifinal, underscoring the event's efficiency with no match exceeding three sets in the quarterfinals or beyond.

Women's Doubles

The women's doubles competition at the 2012 French Open featured 64 teams competing in a knockout format on clay courts at Roland Garros, with the final held on June 8. Fourth seeds and of claimed the title, defeating seventh seeds and of 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 in the championship match. This victory marked the duo's first Grand Slam doubles title and made Errani the first woman since in 2003 to reach both the singles and doubles finals at the tournament, following her appearance in the singles final the next day. Errani and Vinci's path to the title included straight-sets wins over Alberta Brianti/Patricia Mayr-Achleitner in the first round (6–1, 6–1), /Olga Govortsova in the second (6–3, 6–2), and Akgul Amanmuradova/Chanelle Scheepers in the quarterfinals (6–4, 6–2). They advanced to the final by upsetting third seeds and 6–4, 6–4 in the semifinals, showcasing strong baseline play and tactical consistency that contrasted the power-oriented style of their opponents. The Italian pair, who had reached the semifinals at the previous year's , became the first all-Italian team to win doubles crown, earning €340,000 in . Other seeded teams progressed variably, with second seeds Květa Peschke and exiting in the quarterfinals to Kirilenko/Petrova 7–5, 6–3, while top seeds and fell in the second round to and Alexandra Cadanțu 6–3, 3–6, 6–4, highlighting several upsets in the draw. Kirilenko and Petrova, who had won the 2012 Brussels Open together earlier that year, reached the final after defeating and 6–3, 6–4 in the semifinals and earlier overcoming the defending champions Andrea Hlaváčková and Lucie Hradecká 6–4, 6–4 in the quarterfinals. The event saw two retirements: and in the first round against Edina Gallovits-Hall and Nina Bratchikova (leading 6–4, 3–1), and and Alla Kudryavtseva in the third round against Halep/Wozniak (leading 6–3, 1–0); additionally, and Alexa Glatch received a walkover in the second round due to opponents' withdrawal. The Italian champions drew significant crowd support, fueled by Errani's strong singles performance and the duo's synchronized clay-court affinity.

Mixed Doubles

The competition at the 2012 French Open was played as a best-of-three sets format on outdoor clay courts at , with a 10-point match tiebreak replacing a full third set if necessary. Seeded teams received byes into the second round in the 48-team draw, emphasizing quick transitions and strategic partnerships between male and female players. The event featured notable upsets in the later stages, including the elimination of top seeds and the advancement of unseeded pairs to the final. The seventh-seeded Indian duo of and dominated the tournament, winning all five of their matches in straight sets without dropping a single set. In the first round, they defeated Americans Raquel Kops-Jones and Eric Butorac 6–2, 6–4. The second round saw them overcome French wild cards Virginie Razzano and Nicolas Devilder 7–6(5), 6–3. A key upset came in the quarterfinals, where Mirza and Bhupathi stunned the second seeds, Czech Republic's Květa Peschke and American , 6–2, 6–3, showcasing strong baseline play and effective net coverage on clay. In the semifinals, Mirza and Bhupathi continued their form by defeating Kazakhstan's Galina Voskoboeva and Italy's Daniele Bracciali 6–4, 6–2, maintaining high serve hold percentages above 85% across the match. The final pitted them against unseeded runners-up Klaudia Jans-Ignacik of and Santiago González of , who had pulled off their own upset by defeating fifth seeds and of and , respectively, 7–6(7–2), 6–3 in the semifinals after Vesnina/Paes had earlier ousted top seeds and . Mirza and Bhupathi clinched the title 7–6(7–3), 6–1 in 1 hour and 13 minutes, marking their second Grand Slam victory together and India's first in this discipline at Roland Garros.
RoundOpponentsScore
First RoundRaquel Kops-Jones / Eric Butorac ()6–2, 6–4
Second RoundVirginie Razzano / Nicolas Devilder (FRA)7–6(5), 6–3
QuarterfinalsKvěta Peschke / (CZE/, 2nd )6–2, 6–3
SemifinalsGalina Voskoboeva / Daniele Bracciali (KAZ/ITA)6–4, 6–2
FinalKlaudia Jans-Ignacik / Santiago González (POL/MEX)7–6(7–3), 6–1
The tournament highlighted efficient play, with several matches concluding in under 90 minutes, including the champions' quarterfinal and semifinal, underscoring high serve hold rates and minimal breaks on the slow clay surface.

Junior Events

Boys' Singles

The Boys' Singles event at the 2012 French Open was contested by players under 19 years old, in line with ITF junior eligibility rules for Grand Slam tournaments, and featured a 64-player draw on outdoor clay courts from June 3 to 10. of , seeded sixth, won the title by defeating fifth seed of 6–1, 6–4 in the final, marking the first Belgian victory in the event since 1947. , aged 17, dominated the match after breaking Peliwo early in both sets, securing his only junior Grand Slam singles title. Coppejans advanced through the draw with straight-sets victories, including a 6–4, 6–3 quarterfinal win over unseeded British wild card and a 6–2, 6–4 semifinal defeat of eighth of the . Peliwo, aged 18 and the Australian Open junior runner-up earlier that year, reached the final after a resilient 2–6, 7–6(5), 6–0 semifinal comeback against 11th Adam Pavlasek of the , following earlier wins over top of in the quarterfinals. Notable upsets included unseeded 17-year-old 's run to the quarterfinals, highlighted by a 7–6(8), 1–6, 6–4 third-round victory over second seed Gianluigi Quinzi of and a straight-sets second-round defeat of 16th seed Daniel Masur of . Third seed of fell in the third round, while fourth seed Kaichi Uchida of exited in the first. Several finalists transitioned to professional success: Coppejans reached a career-high ATP singles of No. 99 in 2017, Peliwo won the 2012 Wimbledon junior title before peaking at No. 395 on the , and achieved a top-20 by 2019.

Girls' Singles

The 2012 French Open girls' singles tournament featured a 64-player draw on clay courts at Roland Garros, with Annika Beck of emerging as champion after defeating unseeded of in the final, 3–6, 7–5, 6–3. As the second seed, Beck showcased resilience in the three-set final, rallying from a first-set loss to secure her first and only junior Grand Slam singles title. The event, held from June 3 to 10, highlighted emerging talents, with the top seed of the falling in the quarterfinals to Schmiedlová in a 5–7, 6–2, 6–1 upset that propelled the Slovak to her deepest run in a junior major. Key highlights included several competitive matches underscoring the depth of the field. Third seed Elizaveta Kulichkova of exited in the second round, while fourth seed of reached the third round before losing to of . Fifth seed Kateryna Siniaková of the advanced to the quarterfinals but fell to Schmiedlová in straight sets, 6–4, 6–3. Beck's path featured a straight-sets quarterfinal win over Louisa Chirico of the and a semifinal victory against Francesca Lottner of , 6–3, 6–4, demonstrating her strong baseline game on clay. Schmiedlová's run marked a breakthrough, as she converted key break points in her upset over Townsend and maintained momentum through the semifinals with a 6–2, 6–4 win over . Post-tournament, Beck rose to a career-high junior ranking of No. 24 by early July 2012, boosting her confidence as she transitioned to the professional circuit later that year. Schmiedlová climbed into the junior top 50, setting the stage for her professional debut. In their WTA careers, Beck achieved a peak ranking of No. 37 in 2016, winning two singles titles (Luxembourg 2014 and Quebec City 2015) before retiring at age 24 in 2018 to pursue academic studies, amassing over $2.2 million in . Schmiedlová reached a career-high of No. 26 in 2015, securing three WTA singles titles ( 2015, 2015, and Bogota 2018) and continuing to compete actively on the tour. The 2012 girls' singles draw thus served as a launchpad for both finalists' promising professional trajectories on the clay-heavy WTA circuit.

Boys' Doubles

The Boys' Doubles competition at the 2012 French Open took place from June 3 to June 9 on outdoor clay courts at in , , as part of the junior events during the tournament. It featured a single-elimination draw of 32 teams, contested in a best-of-three sets format with a 10-point match tiebreak in place of a third set when necessary, similar to the senior doubles structure. Unseeded Australians Andrew Harris and claimed the title, defeating Czech pair and Václav Šafránek 6–4, 2–6, 10–7 in the final. This marked the first victory for an Australian duo in the event since and Jaymon Criddle in 1989. Harris and Kyrgios advanced to the championship match by overcoming French wildcards and Alexandre Favrot in the semifinals, 6–1, 6–3. Their path included several tightly contested encounters, notably a quarterfinal comeback against Indian Arjun Kadhe and Peruvian Jorge Panta, where they saved three match points to prevail 6–2, 5–7, 11–9. The triumph highlighted the pair's resilience and foreshadowed Kyrgios's emergence as a prominent professional talent, though both players transitioned to the ATP Tour with varying degrees of success in subsequent years.

Girls' Doubles

The Girls' Doubles event at the 2012 French Open was part of the junior tournament at Roland Garros, contested on outdoor red clay courts from June 3 to June 9, 2012. Eligibility for participation followed International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior circuit rules, requiring players to be born between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 1999, ensuring competitors were between 13 and 18 years old during the season. The draw featured 32 teams in a single-elimination format with a match tiebreak in lieu of a third set, highlighting the event's emphasis on developing tactical doubles play suited to clay's slower pace and higher bounce. Top seeds of and of the advanced to the semifinals but suffered an upset loss to the sixth-seeded pair of Montserrat González of and of . Meanwhile, second seeds Daria Gavrilova and , both from , navigated the draw steadily, defeating lower-seeded opponents en route to the final; notable wins included a quarterfinal victory over the unseeded Romanian-Canadian duo of Ilka Csöregi and . The tournament saw few major upsets prior to the semifinals, with seeded teams dominating early rounds, underscoring the competitive depth among emerging junior talents adapting to doubles strategies like net approaches and baseline rallies on clay. In the final on June 9, Gavrilova and Khromacheva claimed the title by defeating González and Haddad Maia 4–6, 6–4, [10–8], securing their first Grand Slam junior doubles crown as a pair. Khromacheva, the defending champion from 2011 alongside Maryna Zanevska, thus retained her Roland Garros junior doubles success. This victory marked a significant milestone for the Russian duo, both of whom transitioned to professional circuits post-juniors; Gavrilova later won the 2015 US Open girls' singles title and achieved a career-high WTA ranking of No. 20 in 2017, while Khromacheva secured multiple ITF doubles titles and reached a career-high WTA doubles ranking of No. 17 in 2025. Similarly, runners-up Haddad Maia emerged as a top-tier professional, attaining a WTA career-high of No. 10 in singles in 2023 (as of November 2025, ranked No. 58); she also reached the 2023 French Open semifinals. The event highlighted the pipeline of future stars, with participants like Bouchard (2014 Wimbledon singles finalist) and Townsend (three-time junior Grand Slam doubles champion) demonstrating early prowess in coordinated play and volley efficiency on clay.

Wheelchair Events

Men's Singles

Stéphane Houdet defeated Shingo Kunieda in the final, 6–2, 2–6, 7–6(8–6) to win the men's singles wheelchair tennis title at the 2012 French Open. This marked Houdet's first French Open singles title. As the second seed, Houdet advanced through the draw by defeating Ronald Vink in the semifinals, 6–1, 6–3, while top seed Kunieda beat Stefan Olsson 6–0, 6–2 in the other semifinal. In the quarterfinals, Kunieda upset defending champion Maikel Scheffers 7–6(2), 6–2.

Women's Singles

Five-time defending champion defeated Aniek van Koot in the final, 6–0, 6–0 to win the women's singles title at the 2012 French Open. The match lasted just 29 minutes, showcasing Vergeer's dominance. Van Koot, the second seed, had reached the final after defeating Jiske Griffioen in the semifinals.

Men's Doubles

Two-time defending champions and his partner Frédéric Cattaneo defeated Michael Jérémiasz and Stefan Olsson in the final, 3–6, 7–6(7–5), 10–6 to win the men's doubles title at the 2012 French Open. Kunieda and Cattaneo, the top seeds, staged a comeback in the final after dropping the first set. They had previously won the title in and 2011.

Women's Doubles

Defending champions and Marjolein Buis defeated Sabine Ellerbrock and Yui Kamiji in the final, 6–0, 6–1 to win the women's doubles title at the . The Dutch pair extended their winning streak at Roland Garros, having won the previous three editions. Ellerbrock and Kamiji, both making their doubles final debut, put up a fight in the second set.

Exhibition Events

Legends Under 45 Doubles

The Legends Under 45 Doubles event at the 2012 French Open served as an invitational for retired male players aged under 45, showcasing their enduring skills in a relaxed, competitive setting on the clay courts of Roland Garros. The competition adopted a round-robin format among four teams, with matches contested in a best-of-three sets structure featuring no-ad tiebreakers at 6-6 to expedite play and enhance entertainment. Participating pairs included former French Open singles champion and 1998 Roland Garros winner , both from ; Swedish player partnered with Australian doubles specialist . and emerged as champions, defeating and 6–2, 6–1 in the final. The event's exhibition nature highlighted lively crowd interactions, including applause for vintage rallies and players' humorous on-court exchanges that added to the festive atmosphere.

Legends Over 45 Doubles

The Legends Over 45 Doubles event at the 2012 French Open was an invitational for retired male players aged over 45, designed to entertain fans with lighthearted yet competitive matches on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Sponsored by as the Trophée des Légendes Perrier, it featured a compact draw emphasizing nostalgia, showmanship, and the enduring athleticism of veterans, often incorporating crowd-pleasing rallies and banter. The format included matches played during the main week, attracting former Grand Slam champions and drawing significant attention for reuniting iconic pairs. Prominent participants included American brothers (aged 53) and (aged 45), who made their first professional doubles partnership in over two decades; French duo (aged 48) and (aged 48), the defending champions from 2011; and Ecuador's Andrés Gómez (aged 51) paired with Spain's (aged 47). These age-specific retirees, all with storied careers, brought a mix of precision volleys, tactical play, and humorous exchanges to the court, underscoring the event's celebratory tone. In the semi-final, John and Patrick McEnroe advanced with a decisive 6–2, 6–2 victory over Gómez and Sánchez, showcasing the elder McEnroe's net skills and Patrick's steady baseline support. They then claimed the title in the final on June 10, defeating Forget and Leconte 7–6(7–5), 6–3, in a tense match where the Americans saved set points in the tiebreak before dominating the second set. This triumph highlighted the players' deep connections to the , evoking their past glories on the same courts. , a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, had previously won the 1981 men's doubles title at Roland Garros with Peter Fleming and reached the singles quarterfinals multiple times. , a captain and former top-10 doubles player, added to the family's legacy, having competed in juniors at the event. On the runners-up side, Leconte reached the 1988 men's singles final and won the 1984 men's doubles title with , while Forget secured the 1986 mixed doubles crown with Catherine Tanvier and captained France to three victories. The event celebrated these legacies, reinforcing the 's role in honoring history through veteran showcases.

Women's Legends Doubles

The Women's Legends Doubles at the 2012 French Open was an invitational exhibition event dedicated to retired female players, showcasing their skills in an all-women doubles format on the clay courts of Roland Garros. This gender-specific legends event served as a celebratory showcase for figures in , allowing them to compete in a non-competitive, exhibition-style that emphasized legacy and entertainment over ranking points. Lindsay Davenport of the and Martina Hingis of , the defending champions from 2011, repeated as champions by defeating Martina Navratilova of the and Jana Novotná of the 6–4, 6–4 in the final. Davenport and Hingis demonstrated their enduring partnership and tactical prowess on , captivating audiences with their precision volleys and strategic play. The match was part of the broader exhibition program, which included a special pink clay court for semifinals to honor Women's Day, adding a unique visual element to the proceedings. Participants in the event included other tennis legends such as Conchita Martínez and Nathalie Tauziat, highlighting a mix of eras from the 1980s to the early 2000s. The exhibition format featured shorter sets in some matches and a round-robin or knockout structure tailored to keep the energy high, fostering camaraderie among the retirees while entertaining fans with nostalgic rivalries. This event underscored the French Open's commitment to honoring women's contributions to the sport, distinct from the main competitive draws.

Tournament Summary

Day-by-Day Progress

The 2012 French Open began on May 27 with first-round action in the main draw, as top seeds like and advanced comfortably in straight sets. Djokovic, the world No. 1, defeated Nicolas Devilder 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 on Court Philippe-Chatrier, while Sharapova dismantled Alexandra Cadantu 6-0, 6-0, signaling her strong form on clay. Other notable results included Juan Martín del Potro's 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win over Albert Montañés and Samantha Stosur's 6-4, 6-0 victory against , setting a solid start for the favorites. Broadcast coverage in was handled by , with international viewers tuning into and the in the United States. Day 2 on May 28 continued first-round play under clear skies, with overcoming Tobias Kamke 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 and beating 6-4, 6-4, 6-1. , the No. 5 seed, cruised past Andrey Kuznetsov 6-4, 6-2, 6-1, delighting the home crowd, while fell to No. 3 6-2, 6-3 in a significant early exit for the American. The day's matches highlighted the depth of the field, with no major weather interruptions reported. Coverage remained extensive, with providing live U.S. broadcasts from early morning ET. On Day 3, May 29, first-round surprises emerged, most notably Virginie Razzano's stunning 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 upset over No. 5 seed , marking Williams' first opening-round Grand Slam loss in 47 appearances. , the defending champion, dispatched Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, extending his Roland Garros winning streak to 15 matches. and also advanced, but the Razzano-Williams match dominated headlines. No rain delays occurred, allowing a full schedule. Day 4, May 30, wrapped up first-round matches with beating 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 and defeating 6-1, 6-2. The focus shifted to emerging storylines, such as American Brian Baker's comeback win over Xavier Malisse, but the day proceeded without incident. Broadcasts on began supplementing in the U.S., reaching wider audiences. Second-round play on Day 5, May 31, featured a marathon between John Isner and Paul-Henri Mathieu, lasting 5 hours and 41 minutes, with Mathieu prevailing 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 18-16—the second-longest match in tournament history. Azarenka and Radwańska advanced easily, but the day saw light rain causing minor delays on outer courts. Day 6, June 1, brought third-round action amid occasional showers, with Nadal routing 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 and Sharapova crushing Ayumi Morita 6-0, 6-4. Ferrer upset No. 4 Murray 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-2, a pivotal result for the Spaniard. Rain briefly suspended play on several courts, but major matches completed. On Day 7, June 2, third-round matches concluded with Djokovic dispatching 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 and Tsonga eliminating 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. shocked Radwańska 6-1, 6-2, while steady rain throughout the day led to multiple delays and some matches pushed to the next day. Day 8, June 3, opened fourth-round play, with Sharapova beating Klara Zakopalová 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2 and Djokovic overcoming 6-4, 6-2, 6-1. No. 1 Azarenka fell to 7-6(4), 6-2, an upset that reshaped the women's draw. Weather improved, allowing full sessions. Day 9, June 4, continued fourth round with Nadal dismantling 6-2, 6-0, 6-0 and Errani upsetting 6-3, 6-2. stunned 2-6, 6-1, 6-0. Clear conditions prevailed. Quarterfinals on Day 10, June 5, saw Sharapova dispatch 6-2, 6-3 and Stosur beat Cibulková 6-4, 6-1 in women's action, while Djokovic outlasted Tsonga 6-1, 5-7, 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-1 in the men's quarterfinals. ESPN's coverage intensified for the later stages. Day 11, June 6, featured men's quarterfinals, where Nadal edged Nicolas Almagro 7-6(3), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, Federer defeated 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, and Ferrer outlasted 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3, 7-6(3). No weather issues disrupted play. Women's semifinals on Day 12, June 7, saw Sharapova defeat Kvitová 6-3, 6-3 and Errani surprise Stosur 7-5, 1-6, 6-3, setting up an unlikely final. The matches unfolded under sunny skies. Day 13, June 8, hosted the men's semifinals, with Nadal dominating Ferrer 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 and Djokovic defeating Federer 6-4, 7-5, 6-3. Clear weather allowed intense rallies on clay. The women's final on Day 14, June 9, crowned Sharapova the champion as she beat Errani 6-3, 6-2, completing her career Grand Slam. Broadcast on in the U.S., the match drew record viewership. Day 15, June 10-11, saw the men's final between Nadal and Djokovic suspended by rain after three sets (Nadal leading 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, with Djokovic up a break in the fourth), resuming the next day. Nadal clinched the title 7-5 in the fourth, securing his seventh crown and breaking Borg's Open Era record. Multiple rain delays extended the tournament by a day, a rarity since 1973. and provided continuous updates across the resumption.

Notable Moments and Statistics

secured his seventh men's singles title in 2012, surpassing Bjorn Borg's previous record of six victories at the tournament. In the women's singles, captured her first Roland Garros crown with a straight-sets victory over , becoming the tenth woman in history to complete a career Grand Slam by winning all four major titles. These achievements underscored Nadal's unparalleled dominance on clay, where he extended his at the event to 21 matches, and marked Sharapova's triumphant return to the world No. 1 ranking after overcoming prior injuries. The tournament featured several notable incidents, including multiple retirements and withdrawals due to injuries. Gael Monfils withdrew before his third-round match with a right knee injury sustained earlier, while retired during his second-round clash against due to severe leg cramps on . Additionally, the men's final between Nadal and was suspended late on Sunday due to heavy rain, marking only the third time in the Open Era that a men's final extended into . Controversies were limited, though Andy Murray battled through visible back pain in several matches, raising concerns about his fitness for the grass-court season ahead. Statistically, the event saw a higher-than-usual upset rate among seeds, with several high-profile early exits. World No. 1 fell in the fourth round to unseeded , while , the 23-time Grand Slam champion, suffered a shocking first-round defeat to Virginie Razzano—her only first-round loss in 53 Grand Slam appearances at the time. Spanish players dominated the men's draw, exemplified by Nadal and sixth seed both advancing to the semifinals, contributing to Spain's strong representation with five players reaching the third round or better. In terms of serving, hit 41 aces in his second-round marathon loss to , the highest total in a single match. In other events, and defended their men's doubles title, defeating Bob and 6-4, 6-4; and won the women's doubles, rallying past and 4-6, 6-4, 6-2; and / took mixed doubles over Klaudia Jans/Santiago González 7-6(3), 6-1. Among juniors, won boys' singles and Annika Beck girls' singles. Wheelchair events saw Stéphane Houdet (men's singles), Aniek van Koot (women's singles), and multiple doubles titles. Historically, 2012 represented a transitional phase in men's , as Djokovic's deep run to the final intensified his with Nadal on clay, signaling the end of the early Federer-Nadal duopoly while foreshadowing Djokovic's ascent to multiple major titles in subsequent years.

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