Paris once again smells of earth and triumph. From May 18 to June 7, 2026, the main battle of the clay season unfolds on the courts of Roland Garros. For some, it's a chance to enter history, for others, a last stand, for others, a battle with themselves. This year's tournament promises to be especially hot. And it's not just the weather.

When and Where to Watch the Main Event

The tournament started on May 18 with the qualifying week, where hundreds of players fought for a ticket to the main draw. But the real spectacle will begin at 11 am on May 24 in Paris time [citation:2]. That's when the first seeded players will step onto the court. The women's final will take place on June 6, with the men's final to be decided a day later — June 7 [citation:6]. The main arena, the legendary Philippe Chatrier court, will host night sessions where new legends are born under the spotlights.

The total prize money for the tournament this year is 61.7 million euros [citation:10]. The winners in the singles category will receive 2.8 million euros [citation:4][citation:6]. The runner-up will get 1.4 million. Even those who lose in the first round don't go home empty-handed: they receive 87 thousand euros [citation:10]. The numbers are impressive, but, as always, accompanied by disputes. Players are dissatisfied with the fact that their share of the tournament's revenue, according to some estimates, has fallen from 15.5% to 14.9% [citation:4]. Tournament Director Amelie Morosimo is not going to change the payment structure yet, leaving the question open for dialogue [citation:4].

Men: The Era of Sinner and the Lost King

The main news in the men's tournament is tragic and sensational. The reigning champion and the favorite of the Parisian public, Carlos Alcaraz, will not be able to defend his title. A wrist injury has knocked the Spaniard out of action, and his dream of winning the "Cup of Musketeers" three years in a row has been shattered by the harsh reality of medicine [citation:1][citation:3][citation:8]. Without his main antagonist, the tournament draw has become barren. Now we are facing an historic window for Yannick Sinner.

The Italian has been an absolute monster on clay this season. He has won all three clay Masters consecutively: in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome [citation:1][citation:7][citation:8]. This achievement was previously only achieved by Rafael Nadal in his prime. Sinner is on a phenomenal winning streak of 29 games in a row [citation:3]. He is the world's number one. He is 24 years old, and Roland Garros is the only Grand Slam tournament he has not yet won [citation:7]. The motivation is off the charts.

However, the bookmakers' odds and the opinions of experts are unanimous only half the time. Former Wimbledon doubles champion Todd Woodbridge notes: "He is the clear favorite for a long time. But his greatest opponent is himself. Pressure, stress, no losses" [citation:7]. The top half of Sinner's draw does not look insurmountable. Potential quarterfinal opponents: Alexander Bublik, Ben Shelton, or the reborn Stefanos Tsitsipas [citation:1]. In the semifinals, he will face Daniil Medvedev [citation:1][citation:9].

Russian Trail: Medvedev and Rublev on Parisian Clay

Daniil Medvedev has surprised many on clay this season. He has caused the most problems for Sinner in Rome, taking his set [citation:1]. For a player who has always openly declared his dislike for this surface, this is a breakthrough. Medvedev's path to a potential semifinal against the Italian starts with Australian Adam Wallington [citation:9]. Then possible encounters with Alexey Poppyrin, Francisco Cerundolo, and Flavio Cobolli [citation:1][citation:9]. The problem is that Medvedev has never gone beyond the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. Can he break this barrier in Paris-2026?

Andrey Rublev, seeded 11th, will start the tournament against Peruvian Ignacio Buse [citation:9]. He faces a tough path: he may face Alex de Minaur in the fourth round, and Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals [citation:9]. Karen Khachanov will start against Frenchman Arthur Ja, and he may theoretically face Alexander Zverev in the fourth round [citation:9].

The Old Phantom: What to Expect from Djokovic

Before the tournament, Novak Djokovic celebrates his 39th birthday [citation:3]. His 2026 season does not contain any titles, and he lost in the first round in Rome to Dino Prizmic [citation:1]. However, writing off the Serb is the favorite pastime of those who then bitterly regret it. Djokovic reached the final of the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, eliminating Sinner on the way [citation:1]. Experts at the Australian Open agree that in a five-set format and with 24 Grand Slam titles, he remains the most dangerous "phantom" in the draw [citation:7]. Although they admit that it is getting harder for him physically with each passing year.

Djokovic's draw, by the way, is deadly. He may face Joao Fonsca (who recently defeated him in Rome) or Dino Prizmic in the third round [citation:9]. In the fourth round — Kasper Ruud, the two-time finalist of Roland Garros [citation:9]. In the quarterfinals, a possible match with Andrey Rublev or Alex de Minaur is expected [citation:9]. To survive in this meat grinder and reach the final, where almost certainly awaits a rested and angry Sinner — a nearly impossible task. But this is Djokovic.

Women: The Battle of Titans Without a Clear Favorite

Unlike the predictable men's draw, the women's tournament is a zone of turbulence. There is no undisputed leader, and any of the ten tennis players can leave with the cup. The main names: Arina Sobolenko (world number one), Coco Gauff (the reigning champion), Elena Rybakina, and four-time Roland Garros winner Iga Swiatek.

Arina Sobolenko's path to the title is complicated by a shoulder injury and not the most stable form on clay [citation:5]. After her triumph in the US, she started the clay season with a delay and was eliminated in the first round of 1/32 in Rome [citation:5]. However, at the Grand Slams, the Belarusian traditionally transforms. Her path will start with Spanish player Jessica Buzas Manero, and she may face Jessica Pegula or Naomi Osaka in the quarterfinals [citation:5]. The semifinal against Gauff will be a battle for revenge for last year's defeat in the final.

Swiatek vs. Rybakina: A War of Styles

Iga Swiatek. Clay. Paris. It seems like the formula for victory. But the Pole's season has not gone well so far. She has to defend a huge number of points, and a可怕 nightmare awaits her in the draw — Elena Ostapenko, who leads in their personal meetings 6:0 [citation:5]. If Iga passes the Latvian barrier in the third round, she may face Elina Svitolina, and then Elena Rybakina [citation:5].

Elena Rybakina, on the other hand, has started the clay season brilliantly, winning the title in Stuttgart [citation:5]. Her powerful serve and calmness in decisive matches make her one of the main favorites. Analysts agree that Rybakina and Sobolenko are the main favorites, and their meeting in the final would be a logical conclusion to the tournament [citation:7]. Experts at the Australian Open are betting on Rybakina and Sobolenko, although they note that the field is surprisingly even: "There are probably eight to ten women who can realistically win if they show their best game" [citation:7].

Notable is Mirra Andreeva, who continues to progress and has already entered the seeded list (8th number), as well as Marta Kostyuk, who has not lost a single match on clay in the season up to the start of the tournament [citation:5].

Surprises in the First Round and Dark Horses

The draw has prepared several surprises for fans of upsets from the very start. Among the men, Arthur Filps, the main hope of the French, will meet legendary Stan Wawrinka [citation:3]. Clay, Paris, former champion against young hope — it will be loud. Also, pay attention to 18-year-old Spaniard Rafael Hodar, who is going through the draw under the label "dark horse" [citation:3]. Among the Russians, the key battle may be the match between Daniil Medvedev and Alexey Poppyrin in the second round [citation:9].

Roland Garros 2026 is a tournament of great changes. The era of the "Big Three" (Djokovic is still here, but time is relentless) is ending, injuries are breaking the careers of young kings (Alcaraz), and a new power is emerging on the scene. Will it be the power of the iron Sinner or a bright change of guard in women's tennis? We will find out in the next two weeks.

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