Paris 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, the last battle, for still others, a battle with oneself. This year's tournament 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 cherished tickets to the main draw. But the real spectacle will begin on May 24 at 11 a.m. Paris time [citation:2]. That's when the first seeded players will take to the court. The women's final will take place on June 6, with the men's final to be played a day later — on 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]. 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 away empty-handed: they receive 87,000 euros each [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 income, according to some estimates, has fallen from 15.5% to 14.9% [citation:4]. Tournament Director Amelie Morasse is not going to change the payment structure yet, leaving the issue open for dialogue [citation:4].

Men: the era of Sinna and the lost king

The main news of the men's tournament is tragic and sensational. Current champion and favorite of the Parisian public Carlos Alcaraz will not be able to defend his title. A right wrist injury has knocked the Spaniard out of action, and his dream of a 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. Now before us opens 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 achieved only by Rafael Nadal in his prime years. Sinner is on a phenomenal winning streak of 29 consecutive victories [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, bookmakers' odds and expert opinions are unanimous only halfway. 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 already face Daniil Medvedev [citation:1][citation:9].

Russian trace: Medvedev and Rublev on Parisian clay

Daniil Medvedev has surprised many on clay this season. He has caused Sinner the most problems in Rome, taking a set from him [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 Alex Poparin, Francisco Cerundolo, and Flavio Cobolli [citation:1][citation:9]. The problem is that Medvedev has never progressed 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: in the fourth round, Alex de Minaur or Novak Djokovic may be waiting. Karen Khachanov will start against Frenchman Arthur Ja, and in the fourth round, he may theoretically cross paths with 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 Serb is a favorite pastime of those who later regret it. Djokovic reached the final of the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, ousting Sinner along the way [citation:1]. Experts at the Australian Open agree: 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 physically, it's getting harder for him every year.

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

Women: 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 undisputed leader, and any of the ten tennis players can take home the cup. The main names: Aryna Sabalenka (world number one), Coco Gauff (current 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 USA, she started the clay season with a delay and was eliminated in the 1/32 final in Rome [citation:5]. However, at Grand Slam tournaments, the Belarusian traditionally transforms. Her path will start with Spanish player Jessica Buzaas Manero, and in the quarterfinals, she may face Jessica Pegula or Naomi Osaka [citation:5]. The semifinal against Gauff will be a battle for a revenge for last year's final defeat.

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 her nightmare in the draw is Elena Ostapenko, who leads in head-to-head meetings 6:0 [citation:5]. If Iga gets past the Latvian barrier in the third round, she may face Elena Svitolina or 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 contenders. Analysts agree that Rybakina and Sabalenka 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 bet on Rybakina and Sabalenka, although they note that the field is surprisingly even: "There are probably eight or ten women who can really win if they play their best game" [citation:7].

Notable is also 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].

First-round intrigues and dark horses

The draw has prepared several surprises for fans of upsets right from the start. Among the men, Arthur Filis, the main hope of the French, will face legendary Stan Wawrinka [citation:3]. Clay, Paris, a former champion against a young hope — this 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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