2026 French Open Men’s Draw: Preview and Prediction featuring Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev, and Casper Ruud

Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz won’t be competing at the 2026 French Open because of a wrist injury he suffered during the Barcelona Open. He has also pulled out of Wimbledon.

His arch-rival Jannik Sinner, who is on a 29-match winning streak, will be aiming to complete the Career Grand Slam. Novak Djokovic will be chasing his 25th Major.

Tournament Details

• Tournament: French Open
• Date: May 24th – June 7th
• No. of Entrants: 128 (Singles)
• Venue: Roland Garros Stadium, Paris
• Surface: Outdoor clay court
• Total Prize Money Pool: $72.1 million
• Defending Champion: Carlos Alcaraz

Top Seeds at the 2026 French Open

• Jannik Sinner
• Alexander Zverev
• Novak Djokovic
• Felix Auger-Aliassime
• Ben Shelton
• Daniil Medvedev
• Taylor Fritz
• Alex de Minaur
• Alexander Bublik
• Flavio Cobolli

First Quarter

Jannik Sinner won the first five Masters 1000s of the season, becoming the first man to do so. Rising star Martin Landaluce could meet him in the second round.

This quarter also features Arthur Rinderknech, Matteo Berrettini, and Luciano Darderi, who could meet his compatriot in the fourth round. Alexander Bublik, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Ben Shelton are the other favorites to reach the quarterfinals.

Quarterfinal prediction: Jannik Sinner vs. Ben Shelton

Second Quarter

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Daniil Medvedev will headline this quarter. The Russian ace, even though he has a love-hate relationship with clay, cannot be taken lightly, given that he recently played the semifinal of the Italian Open and took the second set off eventual runner-up Sinner.

Reigning Shanghai Masters champion Valentin Vecherot could meet Aliassime in the fourth round. Flavio Cobolli is another player who is expected to make the fourth round. Alexei Popyrin, Gael Monfils, Learner Tien, Alejandro Tabilo, and Cameron Norrie are also part of this quarter.

Quarterfinal prediction: Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Daniil Medvedev

Third Quarter

Novak Djokovic will headline this quarter. Even though he played just one clay-court match before arriving in Paris (and lost it), he is one of the favorites to reach the final in the absence of Carlos Alcaraz.

But before that, he could meet two-time French Open finalist Casper Ruud in the fourth round. Djokovic could meet Joao Fonseca if they both progress to the third round. In the first round itself, the Serb will be facing Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Quarterfinal prediction: Andrey Rublev vs. Novak Djokovic

Fourth Quarter

Alexander Zverev is the top seed in this quarter. But in the first round itself, he will be facing Benjamin Bonzi, who has troubled top players on multiple occasions.

Although Taylor Fritz also features in this quarter, Rafael Jodar is expected to make the fourth round and schedule a potential semifinal match against Sascha. Jodar has already played one semifinal and two back-to-back quarterfinals on clay this season. Jiri Lehecka, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Karen Khachanov, and Tomas Machac are also part of this quarter.

Quarterfinal prediction: Rafael Jodar vs. Alexander Zverev

Semifinals

The French Open is the only Major where Shelton has never reached the quarterfinals. Also, the French Open is the only Major where Medvedev has never progressed beyond the quarterfinals.

But Sinner played last year’s final and lost the title to Alcaraz. En route to the final, the Italian ace knocked out Djokovic in the semifinals. Zverev finished as the runner-up in 2024, losing to Alcaraz.

Semifinals prediction:

• Jannik Sinner vs. Daniil Medvedev
• Novak Djokovic vs. Alexander Zverev

Final

Djokovic snapped his five-match losing streak against Sinner in the semifinal of this year’s Australian Open before losing the final to Alcaraz. Even though it’s difficult to write off Nole in Majors, it’s Sinner who is enjoying a red-hot form as he has not lost a match since February.

The four-time Major champion became the second man, after Djokovic, to complete the Career Golden Masters after winning the Rome title. Sinner holds a 6-5 head-to-head lead over Djokovic. They are tied at 1-1 in clay-court matches.

• Final prediction: Jannik Sinner vs. Novak Djokovic
• Winner prediction: Jannik Sinner

Also read: Jessica Pegula Slams Troll for ‘Rich Spoiled Brat’ Criticism After Buffalo Sabres’ No Goal Controversy