( CNN ) -- The French Open is the second grand slam of the tennis season , and it is widely regarded as the most grueling to win -- two weeks of often epic , grinding matches on the energy-sapping red clay of Roland Garros . CNN 's Open Court talked to the five past women 's champions to get their insights into what it takes to be a winner in Paris . Click on the above video to start the story , and then hear from defending champion Maria Sharapova , Li Na , Francesca Schiavone , Svetlana Kuznetsova and Ana Ivanovic by clicking on the panel strips to the side .
Maria Sharapova is the defending women 's champion at this year 's French Open . Comment: Click on the panel strips in the interactive to discover their stories .