Novak Djokovic avoids Jannik Sinner's half but faces tricky tests as 2026 French Open men's and women's draws revealed
Updated 22/05/2026 at 00:00 GMT+1
React to this story
Jannik Sinner will start his quest for a first French Open title against France's Clement Tabur, with Novak Djokovic on the other side of the draw and facing Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Cecchinato helps Houkes through cramp in a classy Roland-Garros qualifying moment
Video credit: TNT Sports
World No. 1 Sinner is seeking to complete the career Grand Slam by winning in Paris and starts as the outright favourite, having won his past 29 matches.
With defending champion Carlos Alcaraz out because of injury, Djokovic could be Sinner's biggest threat at the Grand Slam, which starts on Sunday, May 24, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
However, Djokovic has played just one clay match this season as he has been battling a shoulder issue and faces a tricky opener against big-server Mpetshi Perricard, as well as a potential last-16 match against two-time runner-up Casper Ruud. He could also face Joao Fonseca in the third.
Djokovic will be the third seed at the tournament behind Sinner and Alexander Zverev, who faces France’s Benjamin Bonzi in the first round.
One of the standout first-round matches sees former champion Stan Wawrinka face rising French star Arthur Fils.
Wawrinka is playing the Grand Slam for the final time before retiring at the end of the season.
- VOTE: Have your say on what will happen in Paris
- Nadal expects Alcaraz to recover '100 per cent' from injury
Gael Monfils is also ending his career later this year and has been drawn to face fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston in the first round.
Defending women’s champion Coco Gauff starts with a clash against fellow American Taylor Townsend and is on the same half of the draw as world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who begins her bid for a first French Open title against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
If Gauff and Sabalenka do meet in the semis, it will be a rematch of last year's final, which was won by the American.
British No. 1 Emma Raducanu, who recently returned to action after over two months out, faces world No. 64 Solana Sierra in the first round.
Four-time champion Iga Swiatek starts against Emerson Jones and could face Jelena Ostapenko in the third round.
Among the other first-round matches is a battle between two rising stars as 18-year-old Iva Jovic takes on 20-year-old Alexandra Eala.
Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka starts against Laura Siegemund and 2021 champion Barbora Krejcikova meets Hailey Baptiste.
Britain’s Katie Boulter will face wildcard Akaha Urhobo.
Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.
TNT Sports is the exclusive French Open broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. Coverage of every court will be available to stream live on HBO Max
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement