Roland Garros 2026 promises to be a tournament defined by transition, opportunity, and legacy, as the clay-court Grand Slam enters a fascinating chapter without one of its dominant forces.
With defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz ruled out through injury, the Paris clay opens up in a way not seen in recent years, setting the stage for a new champion — and potentially a new ruler of Roland Garros.
WHEN: Sunday, 24 May – Sunday, June 7
WHERE: The Stade Roland-Garros
BROADCAST DETAILS
From the first Sunday until Sunday, 7 June, there will be one feed available on SuperSport:
- from 10:50am on SuperSport Tennis
- Grandstand will regularly feature action from Roland Garros
The quarterfinals start on Tuesday, 2 June, with times altering slightly from there, but all the main matches will be live on SuperSport Tennis and SuperSport Grandstand.
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POWER VACUUM IN THE MEN’S DRAW
For the first time in years, the French Open arrives without a clear clay-court king. Alcaraz, who captured back-to-back titles and engineered one of the greatest finals in recent history in 2025, will not defend his crown — leaving a massive gap at the top of the men’s field.
Into that opening steps world No 1 Jannik Sinner, whose rise to dominance has been relentless. While he has conquered hard courts, Roland Garros remains the missing piece in his Grand Slam collection.
A title in Paris would not only complete his career Grand Slam — it would also signal a decisive shift in men’s tennis hierarchy.
Standing in his way, however, is a familiar and enduring force.
DJOKOVIC’S LAST STAND?
At 39, Novak Djokovic continues his pursuit of history, chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title. Roland Garros may represent one of his final realistic chances to extend that record.
While the Serbian legend no longer dominates physically as he once did, his experience, tactical intelligence, and ability to rise on the biggest stages make him a constant threat — particularly over best-of-five sets on the sport’s most demanding surface.
The question is no longer whether Djokovic can win — but whether time will allow him one more deep run in Paris.
THE CHALLENGER PACK
Beyond Sinner and Djokovic, the field is packed with contenders:
Alexander Zverev, consistently strong on clay and a regular deep-run threat in Paris
Casper Ruud, whose game is built for clay-court attrition
A new generation eager to capitalise on a rare open draw
The absence of a dominant champion could produce one of the most unpredictable men’s tournaments in years.
WOMEN’S DRAW: DEPTH, TALENT AND UNPREDICTABILITY
If the men’s side has a clear storyline, the women’s draw is defined by its sheer unpredictability.
Defending champion Coco Gauff returns with confidence and maturity after breaking through for her maiden Roland Garros title last year. Her speed, defense, and improved composure make her a serious contender once again.
But the competition is fierce:
Iga Świątek, a multiple-time champion in Paris, remains one of the most dominant clay-court players of her generation
Aryna Sabalenka, armed with power and aggression, continues to chase French Open glory
Elena Rybakina, consistent across surfaces, is a growing threat on clay
Adding intrigue is a wave of rising stars such as Mirra Andreeva and Zheng Qinwen, who are increasingly comfortable on the big stage.