Who Looks Set to Take the French Open by Storm in 2026?

With the first Grand Slam already in the rearview mirror for 2026, attention now turns from the Australian Open to the French Open and Roland Garros. While it is early days on both the ATP and WTA Tours, trends and narratives are already emerging that will help point towards who has the potential to triumph in future Slams.

May will see all eyes on Paris, and the biggest names in the sport will be debated to no end, as fans and pundits alike look to predict the potential winners. Early into the tennis calendar for 2026, though, just who is looking the most likely to win on the French clay, and will we see any repeat winners, or will a rising star be able to break through to succeed?

In men’s tennis, it has to be said that it appears a dynasty is forming. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner famously shared the Slams between them two apiece last year. 2026 has begun with the young Spaniard claiming another big win when he triumphed at the Australian Open, and he is the early favourite at 1.4/1 in the tennis betting.

Sinner would have been disappointed to not even make the final at a tournament where he was looking to go three-in-a-row, but there was perhaps a more exciting story to emerge from his loss in the semifinals. When he fell to the elder statesman Novak Djokovic, it indicated that the previous dynasty of greats hadn't quite ended just yet.

The Serb was imperious in defeating the young Italian, and he became the oldest male player in the Aussie Open final in history. It means that, while the two young stars that dominated 2025 will be the big picks for Roland Garros, it might be seen as more of a competitive three-way race again, as one of the finest players of all time seems to be experiencing something of an Indian summer in his career.

The women’s singles is a much different beast than the men’s game. While there are certainly specific names that are always expected to go far in the Grand Slams, it is a much more competitive pack. In 2025, in particular, no players dominated the field. Yes, Aryna Sabalenka made it to the finals of all four, but the wins were shared equally.

Sabalenka was beaten again in the Australian Open this year. The Belarusian will likely figure quite highly in the early predictions, but it seems unlikely that she will be top of anyone’s list, especially given her propensity for falling at the final hurdle. Instead, Iga Świątek’s status as a specialist on clay has seen her named the favourite in February. Her visibility as a player representative is also not harming her position in discussions as a contender.

Elsewhere, Aussie Open winner Elena Rybakina will be vying for recognition, though the stunning nature of her victory may have plenty believing it was a one-off. Needless to say, though, it is clear that there is a much more competitive pack in the women’s game, and it feels like it could be anyone’s Open if they put together impressive form.

There is still a lot of tennis to be played between now and May, when the French Open will begin in earnest. That means that plenty can happen, including dips in form and injuries, so few will be attaching their colours to the mast as far as winners of the Grand Slam go.

If nothing else, it looks like it will be an exciting 2026 in elite tennis, and the French Open is sure to throw up some more interesting narratives that will shape the rest of the year. Until then, we will just have to wait to see who has the form for the start of the competition.