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

When and where to watch the main start

The tournament started on May 18 with the qualifying week, where hundreds of players fought for the coveted spots in the main draw. But the real spectacle will begin on May 24 at 11 am 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, while the men will play for the last trophy the next day — 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 finalist will get 1.4 million. Even those who lose in the first round don't leave empty-handed: they receive 87 thousand euros [citation:10]. The numbers are impressive, but, as always, accompanied by disputes. Players are unhappy that their share of the tournament's income, according to some estimates, has dropped from 15.5% to 14.9% [citation:4]. Tournament Director Amelie Morissette is not going to change the payment structure yet, leaving the issue open for dialogue [citation:4].

Men: the era of Sinner and the lost king

The main news of the men's tournament is tragic and sensational. The current champion and 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 third consecutive "Cup of Musketeers" 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. And now we are facing an historical window for Yannick Sinner.

The Italian has been an absolute monster on clay this season. He has won all three clay "Masters" in a row: in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome [citation:1][citation:7][citation:8]. This achievement was previously achieved only by Rafael Nadal in his prime years. Sinner is on a phenomenal winning streak of 29 consecutive wins [citation:3]. He is the first-ranked player in the world. 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, bookmaker odds and expert opinions are unanimous only half the time. Former Wimbledon doubles champion Todd Woodbridge notes: "He is the most obvious favorite in a long time. But his greatest opponent is himself. Pressure, stress, the absence of losses" [citation:7]. The top half of Sinner's draw does not look insurmountable. Potential quarterfinal opponents: Alexander Bublik, Ben Shelton, or the resurrected Stefanos Tsitsipas [citation:1]. In the semifinals, he will already face Daniil Medvedev [citation:1][citation:9].

Russian trace: Medvedev and Rublev on Parisian clay

Daniil Medvedev has surprised many this season on clay. He has created the biggest problems for Sinner in Rome, taking his set [citation:1]. For a tennis 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 matches with Alex Poparin, 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 with a match against Peruvian Ignacio Buse [citation:9]. He faces a tough path: in the fourth round, he may face Alex de Minaur, and in the quarterfinals — Novak Djokovic [citation:9]. Karen Khachanov will start against Frenchman Arthur Ja, and in the fourth round, he might theoretically meet Alexander Zverev [citation:9].

Old ghost: 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 in Rome, he lost in the first round to Dino Prizmic [citation:1]. However, writing off the Serbian is a favorite pastime of those who later regret it. Djokovic reached the final of the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, eliminating Sinner on his way [citation:1]. Experts at the Australian Open agree that in the five-set format and with the experience of 24 Grand Slam titles, he remains the most dangerous "ghost" in the draw [citation:7]. Although they admit that it is getting physically harder for him every year.

Djokovic's draw, by the way, is deadly. He may face Joao Fonsca in the third round, who recently beat him in Rome, or Dino Prizmic [citation:9]. In the fourth round — Kasper Ruud, a two-time finalist at "Roland Garros" [citation:9]. In the quarterfinals, a possible match with Andrey Rublev or Alex de Minaur may await [citation:9]. To survive 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 an obvious favorite

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

Aryna Sabalenka'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 at Rome [citation:5]. However, she traditionally transforms on Grand Slam tournaments. Her path will start with Spanish Jessica Buzas Manero, and in the quarterfinals, she may face Jessica Pegula or Naomi Osaka [citation:5]. The semifinal against Gauff is a battle for a 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 her season has not gone well so far. She has to defend a huge number of points, and in the draw, she faces the terrifying nightmare — Elena Ostapenko, who leads in head-to-head meetings 6:0 [citation:5]. If Iga passes the Latvian barrier in the third round, she may face, perhaps, 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 composure in decisive matches make her one of the main favorites. Analysts agree that Rybakina and Sabalenka are the main favorites, and their meeting in the final would be a logical culmination of the tournament [citation:7]. Experts at the Australian Open are betting on Rybakina and Sabalenka, although they note that the field is surprisingly even: "There are probably eight to ten women who can really win if they show their best game" [citation:7].

Notably, 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 this season as of the start of the tournament [citation:5].

First-round intrigues and dark horses

The draw has prepared several surprises for the fans of upsets right at the start. Among the men, Arthur Fils, the main hope of the French, will meet the legendary Stan Wawrinka [citation:3]. Clay, Paris, a former champion against a 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 of "dark horse" [citation:3]. Among the Russians, the key battle may be the match between Daniil Medvedev and Alex Poparin 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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