When the tennis caravan arrives at Roland Garros, there’s a unusual ambiance. Athletes are contemplating boycotting future tournaments over complaints about prize cash, and accidents have affected the taking part in subject. On the ladies’s group, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka is coping with worrying points, whereas seven-time main champion Carlos Alcaraz will miss no less than the subsequent two tournaments with a wrist damage. (Different potential males’s candidates, Arthur Fils and Lorenzo Musetti, are additionally absent resulting from damage.)
Jannik Sinner got here to Paris as the favourite over the remainder of the sphere, having gained 29 video games in a row and 26 in straight units. The final participant apart from Alcaraz to beat him on clay was Stefanos Tsitsipas over two years in the past.
Even when there is not a lot intrigue in Sunday’s males’s remaining two weeks later, and even when Sinner makes it by means of seven video games with minimal drama (one thing that hardly ever occurs even with the perfect gamers), the two-week match is a journey in itself. The underside half of the lads’s bracket is a beautiful mixture of steely veterans (Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev) and thrilling younger up-and-comers. In the meantime, the depth of the ladies’s tour has proven appreciable success in current tournaments, and we are able to anticipate fairly a couple of big-name match-ups from early within the first week.
Environment apart, the French Open needs to be numerous enjoyable. It is at all times like that. Let’s discuss 20 gamers who may outline the subsequent two weeks.
favourite
Jannik Sinner
DraftKings odds: -310
First potential top-10 opponent: No. 5 Ben Shelton or No. 9 Alexander Bublik (quarterfinals)
The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz over the previous 12 months has been filled with fairly a couple of ups and downs, from Alcaraz’s unimaginable turnaround within the 2025 French Open remaining, to Sinner’s turnaround at Wimbledon, Alcaraz’s subsequent surge, and Sinner’s response. After a shaky season on laborious courts — shedding to Djokovic within the Australian Open semifinals regardless of a two-set-to-one benefit and shedding to Jakub Mensik within the Doha quarterfinals — Sinner had already re-established himself because the extra dominant participant this spring, even earlier than Alcaraz’s damage. Now, he is at his finest in historical past.
Sinner gained titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome this spring after dropping simply three units in three clay courtroom tournaments, changing into the primary Italian participant to win in Rome in 50 years and the second (and by far the youngest) participant to win each 1000-level occasion in his profession.
At this level, it seems that just one vulnerability stays in Sinner: a 5-setter. He has misplaced seven of his previous eight matches and hasn’t gained because the 2024 Australian Open remaining towards Daniil Medvedev. That might supply hope for many who can redline for a couple of hours and take a look at their limits. However it’s only a stolen victory. one Anybody who had pissed him off just lately, not to mention three folks. He is as huge a favourite right here as we have ever seen in a 128-player match.
DraftKings Odds: +250
First opponent with a possible high 10 end: No. 7 Elina Svitolina (quarterfinals)
Heading into final yr’s French Open, Swiatek was on a Rafa Nadal-level tempo to win the title at Roland Garros. She had gained 4 of them by her twenty fourth birthday. Nonetheless, within the semifinals towards Sabalenka, she misplaced the third set 6-0, and continued to be unusually susceptible. He went 63-5 on clay from 2022 to 2024, however is simply 17-7 since then. She briefly moved into fifth gear in Rome, dropping simply six video games whole towards Naomi Osaka and Jessica Pegula, however stumbled in three units towards Svitolina within the semifinals. She has reached only one remaining on any floor this yr, and has solely gained as soon as up to now seven occasions after setting a blistering tempo early on.
Certainly, her solely Grand Slam title got here at Wimbledon final yr, when she dropped simply two video games in her final two matches. Of the final 13 units she has gained, 10 have been both 6-0, 6-1, or 6-2. Her previous six losses have all are available in three units. She both wins the match huge time or loses 50-50, which normally signifies that she is just not removed from her finest degree.
In fact, she must because the lottery was simply across the nook. very Near her private finest: She may face Twenty ninth-seeded (2017 French Open champion) Jelena Ostapenko within the third spherical, who’s 0-6 general, and within the quarterfinals, she may face seventh-seeded Svitolina, who she simply misplaced to Fifteenth-seeded Marta Kostyuk. Her draw is just not for gamers with shaky confidence.
Arina Sabalenka
DraftKings Odds: +275
First opponent with an opportunity of ending within the high 10: No. 9 Victoria Mboko (quarterfinals)
She has reached the finals in seven of the previous 9 tournaments and the semifinals in 12 of the previous 13 tournaments. Not way back, it felt like Swiatek was hurtling towards a French Open title after profitable this yr’s Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami) and with Swiatek’s clay-court dominance waning a bit. Nonetheless, she has since misplaced to Hayley Baptiste in Madrid and Solana Cirstea in Rome, and revealed that she is coping with hip and hip points that can restrict her rotation a bit. (Rotation: Solely barely extra vital for tennis gamers.)
If her win price is near 100%, then the 2025 French Open finalist will handle to attract and have an unbeatable likelihood of profitable seven matches. (Actually, her draw ought to get her no less than into the fourth spherical even when she’s utterly motionless.) Regardless that she’s dominated the tour the previous few years, she’s nonetheless trying to find her first slam title on a pure floor — all 4 of her titles have been on laborious courts — however she’s nice on any floor when she’s wholesome.
DraftKings Odds: +600
First opponent with an opportunity of ending within the high 10: No. 8 Mira Andreeva (quarterfinals)
No participant in girls’s tennis has gained extra matches than Rybakina (30-7) in 2026. After greater than a yr of chaotic struggles at slam tournaments, she gained her second main title by defeating Sabalenka on the Australian Open in February. Clay might be the worst for her — or perhaps. Worst –Surfaced, she gained the title in Stuttgart and is 9-2 on the clay courtroom swing this yr and 7-2 over the previous two years at Roland Garros.
Rybakina’s draw won’t be straightforward. She is going to face former French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini within the fourth spherical and will face both Andreeva or Karolina Muchova within the quarterfinals. Nonetheless, she defeated all three of those gamers in straight units of their final encounter, two of the three on clay. She have to be thought-about a favourite to go all the way in which to Paris.
DraftKings Odds: +650
First opponent with a possible high 10 end: No. 6 Amanda Anisimova (quarterfinals)
The defending French Open champion is fourth on the checklist of favorites, however would love the possibility to make one other splash in Paris. She has reached no less than the quarterfinals at Roland Garros 5 years in a row and has appeared in two of her three main match finals. Clay is a grinder’s floor, and nobody can grind it like Gauff.
Gauff’s serve remains to be a piece in progress after experiencing main issues with it in 2025. She’s serving extra usually — her first serve success price has improved from 61.6% to 64.9%, and her double fault price has dropped from 10.0% to eight.3% — however they’re doing much less injury. She really wins. few Service factors (57.4%) and factors held (65.7%) have decreased from earlier than. Certainly, she continues to be elite within the return division, profitable 83% of her tiebreaks this yr. She stays tough to knock out and will grow to be essentially the most well-rounded participant on the earth if she rediscovers the serve she was capable of maintain 73% of the time in 2023 and 2024.
Only some breaks are required
Mila Andreeva
DraftKings Odds: +900
First opponent who could possibly be within the high 10: No. 10 Karolina Muchova (4th spherical)
Ever since she made it to the French Open semifinals two years in the past, it felt prefer it was solely a matter of time earlier than Andreeva — who just lately turned 19 — would get away and win a Grand Slam title. However after profitable titles in Dubai and Indian Wells in early 2025, she fell into the primary funk of her profession with an upset loss to Royce Boisson within the quarterfinals of the French Open. She has gained solely 9 of her final 18 video games this season, and had one other irritating stretch in February and March, shedding 4 of her seven matches.
The clay season was rejuvenating. Andreeva is 15-3 on terrestrial TV this yr with the win over Swiatek and 14-1 towards gamers outdoors of the highest 5. Touchdown in the identical quarter as Rybakina and Muchova wasn’t significantly good, however a assured Andreeva may make a giant breakthrough.
alexander zverev
DraftKings Odds: +1200
First opponent with a possible high 10 end: No. 7 Taylor Fritz (quarterfinals)
We must always discuss Zverev as a legit candidate. He’s the No. 2 seed, has reached the French Open semifinals 4 instances and the ultimate as soon as, and has gained 17 of his previous 20 matches on clay towards gamers apart from Sinner. With Djokovic having to shake off some severe rust and going through an epic draw, Zverev is the participant most definitely to achieve the ultimate from the underside half of the bracket. If he does so, he’ll solely want yet one more upset to be stripped of his title as “the perfect participant to by no means win a Grand Slam match.”
So why does he nonetheless really feel like the percentages are slim? That is as a result of he has misplaced 14 straight units to Sinner, with practically half of these losses (six whole) being determined by scores of 6-0, 6-1, or 6-2. Zverev gained 4 straight towards Sinner early within the Italian’s profession, however his final win got here in August 2023. As soon as Sinner handed him, he handed him properly sufficient.
Nonetheless, Zverev is 28-4 this yr towards gamers apart from Sinner and Alcaraz. If Sinner makes any errors, it could possibly be Zverev’s likelihood. (And in addition, final spring, he had his first second the place he may have been world No. 1, however as an alternative misplaced six of 11 matches. He has to beat each the sinner and his second.)
Novak Djokovic
DraftKings Odds: +1300
First opponent with an opportunity of ending within the high 10: No. 8 Alex De Minaur (quarterfinals)
Keep in mind this man? Who has gained the French Open 3 times and been a finalist seven instances? Who has a report of 102 wins and 9 losses towards opponents apart from Rafael Nadal on the French Open? The man who, regardless of having a lowered general schedule and turning 39 on Friday, nonetheless has the brains and skill to play conditioned and has made it to the semifinals of 5 consecutive tournaments (and 12 of 14)? Do you suppose he may be a candidate in a world with out Alcaraz?
Djokovic is absolutely testing us this time. In a best-of-five setting, he stays the surest presence within the subject outdoors of Sinner and Alcaraz, beating Sinner (and stealing a set from Alcaraz) in Melbourne just some months in the past. Nonetheless, because the Australian Open, he has performed in simply 4 matches and misplaced two. He narrowly evaded Kamil Majkrzak and Aleksandar Kovacevic, misplaced to Jack Draper in Indian Wells, and misplaced to qualifier Dino Prismik in Rome within the season’s solely clay courtroom match. It could be tough to remain in high form and play. He might need to face huge serve Giovanni Mpesi Pellicar within the first spherical, teenage rising star João Fonseca within the third spherical and two-time French Open finalist Casper Ruud within the fourth spherical. This time it is particularly tough.
Elina Svitolina
DraftKings Odds: +1500
First opponent with a possible top-10 end: No. 3 Swiatek (quarterfinals)
For a number of years earlier than taking maternity go away in 2022-2023, Svitolina was essentially the most constant participant on the earth. She has reached the Grand Slam quarterfinals eight instances and semifinals twice, gained 4 1000 titles from 2017 to 2018 alone, and gained no less than one title in all however one yr from 2013 to 2021. Her WTA rating peaked at No. 3 in 2017.
However after changing into a mom, you may say that whereas others wrestle to achieve the identical heights, Svitolina’s ceiling has grow to be even increased. Though she hasn’t performed that many tournaments general, she has reached six extra main match quarterfinals (and two extra semifinals) in simply 12 tries since her return, and in her 2026 age-31 season, she has already reached the Australian Open semifinals and two 1000-level finals. Her run to the Roma title was wonderful. She defeated Rybakina, Swiatek and Gauff in fast succession. She holds her serve higher than ever and is ready to enhance her aggression in a approach hardly ever seen within the 2010s. She might have to beat No. 11 Belinda Bencic within the fourth spherical and Swiatek within the quarterfinals to achieve one other semifinal in Paris, however her confidence degree is approach off the charts.
Marta Kostyuk
DraftKings Odds: +2500
First opponent with a possible top-10 end: No. 3 Swiatek (4th spherical)
The draw gods have been extremely unkind to the 23-year-old Kostyuk earlier this season. She misplaced to Sabalenka within the remaining in Brisbane in January, earlier than drawing (and shedding) to Rybakina within the spherical of 32 in Indian Wells and Miami. However it clearly solely gave her a break and allowed her to prepare for the clay courtroom season.
Kostyuk is 11-0 on clay this season. She gained the title in Rouen in April and used that momentum to make a giant splash in Madrid, defeating three top-15 opponents Pegula, Linda Noskova and Andreeva in straight units to win the title. She has reached a career-high No. 15 within the WTA rankings and more and more understands how one can make the most of the athleticism that made her a junior star within the late 2010s. She could also be within the hardest quarter of this draw. Between her and her first semi-final look are the likes of Svitolina and Swiatek. Nonetheless, she herself is kind of strict at this level.
Others: Casper Ruud (+2800), Victoria Mboko (+4000), Daniil Medvedev (+5000)
younger folks
DraftKings Odds: +2500
First opponent with a possible top-10 end: No. 7 Taylor Fritz (third spherical)
The 19-year-old former Virginia Cavalier burst onto the scene in 2026. He began the yr ranked one hundred and sixty fifth however rocketed to Twenty ninth place through the clay courtroom season, reaching the semi-finals of Barcelona and the quarter-finals of Madrid (the place he misplaced in an entertainingly aggressive match to Sinner) and Rome. He’s 15-3 on clay, and his three-set victory over fellow teenager João Fonseca in Madrid was some of the entertaining shot-making matches of the yr. His draw is sort in that he does not face a seeded participant till the third spherical (and that is Rusty Fritz), however we’ll see how he handles the robust conditions that may come up in a best-of-five match. Both approach, he’ll probably be on preview lists like this for years to come back.
Joan Fonseca
DraftKings Odds: +6000
First opponent with a possible high 10 end: No. 3 Djokovic (third spherical)
Final yr’s Subsequent Massive Factor remains to be in search of a breakthrough. After a disappointing begin to the yr with three losses in his first 4 matches, he had unhealthy luck with attracts, shedding to Sinner within the spherical of 16 at Indian Wells, Alcaraz within the spherical of 64 in Miami, Zverev within the quarterfinals of Monte Carlo (3 units), and Ben Shelton within the quarterfinals of Munich (3 units). It is pure to query his confidence after his current three-set loss to Hamad Medjedovic in Rome, however he is nonetheless a hell of a shot maker and a third-round contender for Fonseca vs. Djokovic could be an appointment viewing.
DraftKings Odds: +10000
First opponent who could possibly be within the high 10: No. 10 Flavio Cobolli
The 20-year-old Californian turned star with spectacular performances on the Australian Open in 2025 and 2026, however his progress on clay has slowed considerably. However after shedding two of his first three matches on clay this yr, he picked up the tempo. After a number of wins in Rome (together with one over No. 9 seed Alexander Bublik in Paris), he gained the 250-level occasion in Geneva once more final week, beating Tsitsipas, Alex Michelsen and Bublik, earlier than defeating Mariano Navone within the remaining. His serve improved in 2026, and his elevated endurance led to progress on clay.
Others: Jakub Mencik (+10000), Alexander Brox (+12000)
they love roland garros
Zheng Qinwen
DraftKings Odds: +4000
First potential top-10 opponent: No. 6 Amanda Anisimova (4th spherical)
After lacking 5 months with an elbow damage, Zheng, who gained the Olympic gold medal by defeating Swiatek in straight units at Roland Garros in 2024, has been doing properly since his return. She took Rybakina to 3 units in Doha and Madrid, defeated Madison Keys in Miami, and misplaced to Ostapenko in Rome. As an unseeded participant, she may have drawn anybody, however the draw opened up the potential for her going through world No. 23 Elise Mertens within the second spherical and world No. 12 Linda Noskova within the third spherical. It is tough, however it could possibly be much more tough, and if she performs properly, she’ll have an opportunity to play in a couple of video games.
Karolina Muchova
DraftKings Odds: +4000
First opponent with a possible top-10 end: No. 8 Andreeva (4th spherical)
A shotmaker’s shotmaker, Muchova is a risk to achieve the finals in any occasion she competes in (as she did at Roland Garros in 2023), and a risk to lose early in any occasion (as she did at Roland Garros in 2025). She has a powerful report of twenty-two wins and 6 losses in 2026, defeating the likes of Gauff, Rybakina, and Svitolina, amongst others. Nonetheless, she has misplaced some matches by scores of 6-2, 6-0 (vs. Swiatek), 6-1, 6-1 (vs. Gauff), and 6-3, 6-2 (vs. Anastasia Potapova).
DraftKings Odds: +10000
First opponent with a possible high 10 end: No. 3 Djokovic (4th spherical)
Paul, a 2025 French Open quarterfinalist (and a four-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist in his profession), is the most definitely American to play, as Taylor Fritz has battled knee issues and performed just one clay courtroom match this spring, and Ben Shelton has misplaced three of his previous 4 matches. He might need to beat Casper Roode within the third spherical and Djokovic within the fourth, however he gained the clay courtroom match in Houston and reached the ultimate in Hamburg earlier than heading to Paris.
DraftKings odds: +20000 and +30000 respectively
First opponent who could possibly be within the high 10: Wawrinka: No. 2 Zverev (4th spherical). Monfils: No.7 Medvedev (third spherical)
That is the final two weeks of the French Open for the 2 beloved veterans, and each can nonetheless present some very high quality moments. Wawrinka, 41, a two-time finalist (and 2015 champion), can nonetheless knock the crap out of a tennis ball. He took Fritz to 4 units on the Australian Open and has gained over three different top-30 opponents this yr as properly.
In the meantime, Monfils, 39, has reached the French Open quarterfinals 4 instances and the semifinals as soon as. He’s the king of drama, going 12-4 general in 5 units at Roland Garros and simply 3-6 on tour this yr, however he went the gap with Felix Auger-Aliassime (No. 4 seed at Roland Garros) at Indian Wells and defeated Talon Griekspur (No. 29) at Monte Carlo. Neither will win this match, however each shall be predominant characters in week one.
Others: Barbora Krejcikova (2021 champion, +5000), Jasmine Paolini (2024 finalist, +6000), Madison Keys (2018 semifinalist, +6000), Jelena Ostapenko (2017 champion) On, +8000), Stefanos Tsitsipas (2021 finalist, +10000), Alexander Bublik (2025 quarterfinalist, +10000), Francis Tiafoe (2025 quarterfinalist, +13000), Maria Sacca Li (2021 semifinalist, +15000), Sofia Kenin (2020 finalist, +150000), Lois Boisson (2025 semifinalist, +15000), Donna Vekic (2024 Olympic silver medalist, +20000), Da Leah Kasatkina (2022 semifinalist, +20000), Marin Cilic (2022 semifinalist, +30000), Beatriz Haddad Maia (2023 semifinalist, +30000), Sloane Stevens (2018 finalist)
Different advantaged People
Amanda Anisimova
DraftKings Odds: +4000
First top-10 candidate opponent: No. 4 Gauff (quarterfinals)
After a terrific 2025 season, the 24-year-old (and two-time Grand Slam finalist) is not having fun with 2026 as a lot. She nonetheless reached the quarter-finals on the Australian Open and the semi-finals in Dubai, however has not performed in any clay courtroom matches this yr after injuring her wrist in Miami. She has performed in simply 17 video games this yr, profitable 11. If she stays match, she may simply advance – in spite of everything, she made her first huge breakthrough in Paris, reaching the semi-finals in 2019 – however it’s pure to have doubts about her type for the time being.
jessica pegula
DraftKings Odds: +5000
First opponent with an opportunity of ending within the high 10: No. 9 Mboko (4th spherical)
Pegula is 28-6 on the yr, 9-2 on clay, and regardless of solely shedding to Kostyuk of Madrid and Swiatek of Roma, he someway flies underneath the radar from an odds standpoint. With such ferocious and exact groundstrokes, Pegula has at all times carried out higher on laborious courts than on pure surfaces, however he reached the quarterfinals right here in 2022 and seems to be in search of methods to grow to be extra constant and harmful as he heads into his 30s. If Sabalenka stumbles early on, both Pegula or Mboko could possibly be the favorites to win the highest quarter of the draw.
ben shelton
DraftKings Odds: +10000
First Prime 10 Contender Opponent: No. 1 Sinner (Quarterfinals)
At Roland Garros, he has simply 4 wins and three losses, and after profitable in Munich and having fun with a spectacular breakthrough on clay, he rotated and misplaced three of his subsequent 4 wins. However a wholesome and in-form Shelton is a legal responsibility on any floor, and a attract a semi-friendly match may generate some momentum earlier than doubtlessly going through Sinner within the quarters.
Others: Iva Jovic (+10000), Emma Navarro (+10000), Taylor Fritz (+10000), Haley Baptiste (+20000)
