The French Open at Roland Garros begins on Sunday, welcoming tennis fans to another thrilling event. The draws for the men’s and women’s singles boast some exciting first-round contests while offering potential paths for defending champions and other contenders to leave their mark at this year’s second Grand Slam.
Ava Wallace, Matthew Futterman, and Charlie Eccleshare from The Athletic provide their insights on the intriguing draw, highlighting must-watch matches in Paris.
Women’s Draw: A Tale of Two Halves
The women’s draw this year appears uneven. In the top half, 2025 finalists Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka feature prominently. However, other seeded players in this section may not offer much competition, especially if Sabalenka, consistently making Grand Slam semifinals, remains dominant.
In Sabalenka’s quarter, the promising Iva Jović, an 18-year-old Californian, could be a threat. Naomi Osaka, who recently pushed Sabalenka in Madrid, also poses a challenge. Players like Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula lack strong performances on clay, while Victoria Mboko has had a limited clay season due to health setbacks.
Gauff might find her quarter open if she struggles with her serve or forehand. Injuries have hampered Amanda Anisimova, much like Carlos Alcaraz. Anastasia Potapova is unpredictable, and other seeded players have yet to make a strong Grand Slam impact.
Conversely, the other half of the draw is stacked with talent, including Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, Marta Kostyuk, Mirra Andreeva, Elina Svitolina, Karolína Muchová, and Jelena Ostapenko. Each contender offers formidable competition, contributing to a potentially unpredictable tournament.
Men’s Draw: Chaos and Opportunity
In the men’s draw, Félix Auger-Aliassime heads one quarter. Despite his top seeding, questions about his clay-court prowess linger. Daniil Medvedev, although the Italian Open champion, has seen early exits in past French Opens.
Other seeded players such as Brandon Nakashima, Learner Tien, Francisco Cerúndolo, Valentin Vacherot, Cameron Norrie, and Flavio Cobolli bring varied strengths and weaknesses. The likelihood of an unseeded player advancing from this quarter is pronounced.
Matches to Watch (Matthew Futterman)
- Ajla Tomljanovic vs. Caty McNally
- Lois Boisson vs. Anna Kalinskaya (22)
- Hugo Gaston (WC) vs. Gaël Monfils (WC)
- Rafael Jódar (27) vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic
Novak Djokovic and Potential Challenges
As Novak Djokovic turns 39, some consider his draw a mixed blessing. Although heavy with potentially troublesome players, most lack significant experience to pose a serious threat on clay.
Opening against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard poses some risk for a rusty Djokovic. Possible paths to the final could include players like Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur, and Alexander Zverev, each capable of testing Djokovic’s endurance despite historically unfavorable head-to-head matchups.
Unseeded Contenders: Who Could Emerge?
While many floaters have climbed the ranks, some potential breakout players include Frenchman Arthur Fils, who may challenge high seeds like Zverev. Rafael Jódar and Valentin Vacherot also look to solidify their positions.
On the women’s side, surprises akin to Loïs Boisson’s previous performance seem plausible, with contenders like Zheng Qinwen potentially making deep runs.
Matches to Watch (Ava Wallace)
- Hailey Baptiste (26) vs. Barbora Krejčíková
- Elina Svitolina (7) vs. Anna Bondár
- Felix Auger-Aliassime (4) vs. Daniel Altmaier
- Marin Čilić vs. Moise Kouamé (WC)
Jannik Sinner’s Pursuit of the Career Grand Slam
Jannik Sinner’s current form ensures he is a strong favorite despite potential obstacles. His draw excludes Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud in early rounds, enhancing his title chances.
Nonetheless, Sinner must overcome internal challenges such as his own physical endurance and handling pressure as a tournament frontrunner. Jannik Sinner’s battles with Carlos Alcaraz, absent this year, have historically defined Grand Slam narratives, placing a spotlight on Sinner.
A Returning Rivalry
A matchup between Świątek and her longtime rival, Ostapenko, looms. Świątek has struggled against Ostapenko, making a potential third-round clash at her favorite tournament, Roland Garros, highly anticipated.
This match stands out as an opportunity for Świątek to seek long-awaited revenge on a surface where she excels or for Ostapenko to maintain her unbeaten record.
Matches to Watch (Charlie Eccleshare)
- Iva Jović (17) vs. Alex Eala
- Novak Djokovic (3) vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
- Victoria Mboko (9) vs. Nikola Bartůňková
- Arthur Fils (17) vs. Stan Wawrinka
Explore the full draws for both women’s and men’s singles at the French Open 2026 and share your match predictions.