Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka to win? How far will Novak Djokovic go? VOTE on what will happen at 2026 French Open
Published 24/05/2026 at 07:24 GMT+1
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Will Jannik Sinner complete the Career Grand Slam at the 2026 French Open? Will Aryna Sabalenka lift the trophy for the first time? Will Novak Djokovic finally win a record-breaking 25th major title?
Watch: Heartwarming moment Andreescu comforts distraught Mpetshi-Perricard after French Open exit
Video credit: TNT Sports
The second Grand Slam of the season starts on Sunday, May 24, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz will not be competing as he continues to recover from a wrist injury that will also rule him out of Wimbledon.
But there are still plenty of star names in the men’s draw, including Sinner, who was beaten in last year’s epic final by Alcaraz, and Djokovic, who made the Australian Open final to start the season but has been handed a tricky French Open draw.
On the women’s side, defending champion Coco Gauff looks set to face strong competition.
Sabalenka will be aiming to go one better after losing in last year’s final, Iga Swiatek will be seeking a fifth title with a new coach in her corner, and Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina could also challenge.
What’s going to happen across the upcoming fortnight at the French Open? Have your say by voting below...
Will Sinner win the men’s title?
Sinner has been unbeatable over the past few months.
He is on a 29-match winning streak heading to Paris and has scooped up five Masters titles in a row, taking full advantage of Alcaraz’s absence to stamp his authority on the ATP Tour.
His superb form has singled him out as the clear favourite for the French Open, which is the only Grand Slam he has not won.
Will Djokovic win a 25th Grand Slam title?
Djokovic has been stuck on 24 Grand Slams for two-and-a-half years now.
Since his last major title at the 2023 US Open he has lost in two finals and five semi-finals as he remains level with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slams in history.
The absence of Alcaraz should be a boost to his chances but Djokovic has only played one match since Indian Wells (losing in the second round of the Italian Open) and has been battling a shoulder injury.
Plus there’s also likely still Sinner to get past, and Djokovic could face Joao Fonseca in the third round, followed by two-time runner-up Casper Ruud in the last 16.
Will there be a first-time Grand Slam winner?
Sinner may look the strong favourite for victory, but there is always a chance of an upset.
A surprise defeat for the world No. 1 would open up the draw to a number of players and potential first-time Grand Slam winners.
World No. 3 Alexander Zverev could be in the mix along with two-time French Open runner-up Casper Ruud.
Perhaps France’s Arthur Fils could also make a run, or world No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime.
How far will Jodar go?
There’s a new Rafa in town at this year’s French Open.
Rafa Jodar’s rise has been one of the stories of the season and has been very impressive on clay, winning in Marrakech, making the Barcelona semis, and then quarters in both Madrid and Rome.
His results have seen him soar up the rankings and the 19-year-old will be seeded for his first French Open.
Which youngster will go furthest?
There are several exciting young players to keep an eye on in the men’s draw.
Brazil's Joao Fonseca will have plenty of eyes on him as he looks to make a deep run, while Fils will carry the hopes of the French crowd.
There’s also Jodar, Jakub Mensik and Learner Tien.
Will Sabalenka win first French Open?
Sabalenka was far from gracious in defeat after losing in last year’s French Open to Gauff and later apologised for her "completely unprofessional" remarks about the match.
She returns to Paris without a clay title this year, having suffered surprise losses in Madrid and Rome.
If Sabalenka is healthy she is probably the favourite.
Will Gauff go back-to-back?
The French Open has been Gauff’s most successful Grand Slam.
She lifted the title last year after making the final, semis, and quarters in the three previous seasons, and comes into the tournament on the back of making the Italian Open final.
Gauff also thinks she might have found a solution to her sometimes troublesome serve issues.
”It’s been an up-and-down process. I obviously don’t want to jinx anything, but I think we found the recipe to making it more consistent,” she said.
Will Swiatek win No. 5?
Swiatek looked unbeatable on clay when she won the French Open for three years in a row from 2022-2024.
But her form has dipped over the last 18 months and remarkably she hasn’t won a clay title since her last French Open victory two years ago.
She has a new coach in Francisco Roig and has also been getting guidance from Rafael Nadal as she seeks a fifth title in Paris.
Will there be a first-time Grand Slam winner?
There is no doubt that the women’s draw appears more open than the men’s draw.
Look past the top few players in the rankings and there are several below who could be in the mix for the title.
Jessica Pegula, Rome winner Svitolina and 2024 French Open semi-finalist Mirra Andreeva could all have their eyes on a first Grand Slam title.
Which youngster will go furthest?
Andreeva is among a number of exciting young players looking to make their mark.
Victoria Mboko, one spot below Andreeva in the top 10, made the third round last year, while 21-year-old Linda Noskova has enjoyed a strong season.
Iva Jovic, Maya Joint and Sara Bejlek could also be ones to watch.
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