But who are the favorites and what can we expect from the only grand slam on red dirt? Will Williams return from maternity leave to claim a 24th grand slam and can Rafael Nadal win an unprecedented 11th French Open crown? Serena Williams is the most successful female player of the open era, but with a ranking of 453 in the world, she will not be seeded on her return to grand slam tennis. Set to play at a major for the first time since giving birth to her daughter in September, three-time French Open champion Williams will face some top-ranked players in the early rounds in Paris.