Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka lead Roland Garros seedings as Medvedev returns to top 8

Monday, 18 May 2026 at 08:30

Sinner and Sabalneka smile each other during practice in US Open

A week before the start of the French Open – the second Grand Slam of the season, to be played at Roland Garros – the seedings for the men’s and women’s draws have been defined. Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka go to the top of their respective draws and enter as the main favourites for the title.

The weeks prior to Grand Slams always include the added element of players fighting for a seeded spot. In the men’s draw, Alejandro Tabilo, Corentin Moutet and Rafael Jodar were among the names who secured their seeded status in recent weeks – which will give them an advantage in the draw, and the chance to avoid top-30 rivals, at least until a potential third round.

However, being inside the top 32 of the main draw is not the only important factor. The top 8 seeds are guaranteed not to face each other until the quarter-finals – and the last player to secure that position was Daniil Medvedev, Rome semi-finalist, who climbed to No. 7. The Russian returns to being among the top 8 seeds in a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2025 Australian Open.

On the women’s side, Elina Svitolina achieved an important boost that places her inside the top-8 seeds in the main draw – notably affecting teenager Victoria Mboko – something that could end up reshaping the draw once the bracket is made.

Medvedev back in top 8 seeds

The top seeds will be Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev – each leading one half of the draw and only able to meet in a potential final. The absence of Carlos Alcaraz gives an advantage there to the German, who as world No. 3 is guaranteed not to face Sinner until a potential final. The third and fourth seeds are Novak Djokovic and Felix Auger-Aliassime, who on paper could meet the top seeds in the semi-finals.

Completing the top 8 are other big names, although none are true clay-court specialists: Americans Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz join Daniil Medvedev and Australian Alex de Minaur. None of them can meet each other until a potential quarter-final.

Behind them – and potential Round of 16 opponents for the top 8 – are names such as Alexander Bublik, Andrey Rublev, Luciano Darderi and Casper Ruud, recent Rome finalist. The final spot in the top 16 goes to Valentin Vacherot.

Of particular interest is the range from 16 to 32 – potential third-round opponents for the top seeds. Any of them could face players like Sinner, Djokovic or Zverev from the third round onwards. Among them stand out Arthur Fils (17th seed), Learner Tien (18th), Cameron Norrie (20th), Jakub Mensik (26th), Rafael Jodar (27th) and Joao Fonseca (28th).

Roland Garros 2026 – Men’s Seeds (Top 32)

Seed	Player	Country	Rank
1	Jannik Sinner	ITA	1
2	Alexander Zverev	GER	3
3	Novak Djokovic	SRB	4
4	Félix Auger-Aliassime	CAN	5
5	Ben Shelton	USA	6
6	Taylor Fritz	USA	7
7	Daniil Medvedev	RUS	8
8	Alex de Minaur	AUS	9
9	Alexander Bublik	KAZ	10
10	Flavio Cobolli	ITA	12
11	Andrey Rublev	RUS	13
12	Jiri Lehecka	CZE	14
13	Karen Khachanov	RUS	15
14	Luciano Darderi	ITA	16
15	Casper Ruud	NOR	17
16	Valentin Vacherot	MON	18
17	Arthur Fils	FRA	19
18	Learner Tien	USA	20
19	Frances Tiafoe	USA	21
20	Cameron Norrie	GBR	22
21	Alejandro Davidovich Fokina	ESP	23
22	Arthur Rinderknech	FRA	24
23	Tommy Paul	USA	25
24	Tomás Martín Etcheverry	ARG	26
25	Francisco Cerúndolo	ARG	27
26	Jakub Mensik	CZE	28
27	Rafael Jódar	ESP	29
28	João Fonseca	BRA	30
29	Tallon Griekspoor	NED	31
30	Corentin Moutet	FRA	32
31	Alejandro Tabilo	CHI	33
32	Brandon Nakashima	USA	34

Mboko impact from Svitolina run reshapes women’s draw

On the women’s side, things remained largely stable at the top, with Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina remaining the main title favourites, each commanding one half of the draw. They are joined by Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff – potential semi-final rivals if everything goes according to seeding.

Between the 5th and 9th seeds stand out Americans Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova, joined by recent Rome champion Elina Svitolina and teenage Russian Mirra Andreeva.

As a result, one of the main players affected by Svitolina’s Rome campaign is Canadian Victoria Mboko, who enters as 9th seed. This means she would have to face one of the top-8 seeds as early as the fourth round, potentially too early for the Canadian, who will still be seen as a player capable of a deep run and someone top contenders will want to avoid.

Below Mboko – and also within the 9th to 16th seed range – are names such as Karolina Muchova, Belinda Bencic, Jasmine Paolini and Naomi Osaka.

From 17th to 32nd seeds – potential top-16 opponents from the third round onwards – there are several players ready to cause upsets. Young Iva Jovic (17th), experienced Sorana Cirstea (21st), former Grand Slam champions Madison Keys (19th) and Jelena Ostapenko (29th), as well as the recent resurgence of Anastasia Potapova (28th), are among the seeded names with upset potential.

Roland Garros 2026 – Women’s Seeds (Top 32)

Seed	Player	Country	Rank
1	Aryna Sabalenka	BLR	1
2	Elena Rybakina	KAZ	2
3	Coco Gauff	USA	3
4	Iga Swiatek	POL	4
5	Jessica Pegula	USA	5
6	Amanda Anisimova	USA	6
7	Elina Svitolina	UKR	7
8	Mirra Andreeva	RUS	8
9	Victoria Mboko	CAN	9
10	Karolina Muchova	CZE	10
11	Belinda Bencic	SUI	11
12	Linda Noskova	CZE	12
13	Jasmine Paolini	ITA	13
14	Ekaterina Alexandrova	RUS	14
15	Marta Kostyuk	UKR	15
16	Naomi Osaka	JPN	16
17	Iva Jovic	USA	17
18	Liudmila Samsonova	RUS	18
19	Madison Keys	USA	19
20	Clara Tauson	DEN	20
21	Sorana Cirstea	ROU	21
22	Anna Kalinskaya	RUS	22
23	Elise Mertens	BEL	23
24	Leylah Fernandez	CAN	24
25	Diana Shnaider	RUS	25
26	Hailey Baptiste	USA	26
27	Marie Bouzkova	CZE	27
28	Anastasia Potapova	RUS	28
29	Jelena Ostapenko	LAT	29
30	Ann Li	USA	30
31	Cristina Bucsa	ESP	31
32	Xinyu Wang	CHN	32

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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