Jannik Sinner seen as favorite

Jannik Sinner goes into the 2026 French Open as the leading men's title pick in pre-draw coverage published this week, with the Roland-Garros main draw set for Thursday, May 21. TennisUpToDate called the Italian the "clear favorite" ahead of the tournament, while Tennis365's projected seeding coverage put Sinner at No. 1 for the second straight year in Paris. (tennisuptodate.com) The field has also been reshaped by the absence of Carlos Alcaraz, the defending men's champion, who withdrew before the event. Roland-Garros says main-draw play begins on Sunday. ### Why is Sinner being treated as the man to beat in Paris? TennisUpToDate said on May 19 that its editors saw Sinner as the "clear favorite" for the men's title at Roland-Garros. (rolandgarros.com) The outlet's preview placed him at the top of the entry list and framed the tournament around whether anyone in the men's field could stop him. Tennis365 reported this week that Sinner is projected to be the top seed in Paris again. That matters for the draw because the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds are placed in opposite halves, shaping when the leading contenders can meet. (tennisuptodate.com) ### Which names are being put forward as Sinner's main challengers? Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud were the main rivals singled out by TennisUpToDate in its pre-draw preview. The same preview listed Zverev at No. 3 on the entry list, Djokovic at No. 4 and Ruud at No. 12. Tennis365 separately reported that Zverev and Djokovic are projected among the top three seeds behind Sinner. (tennisuptodate.com) That would keep Zverev on the opposite side of the bracket from Sinner, according to the outlet's seeding projection before the draw. (tennis365.com) ### How much does Alcaraz's absence change the men's field? Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the 2026 French Open before the tournament, Forbes reported on April 24. Forbes said Alcaraz had won the last two French Open men's singles titles, in 2024 and 2025, making him the defending champion who will not return this year. (tennisuptodate.com) Forbes also reported that Sinner and Alcaraz had shared the previous nine Grand Slam men's singles titles. With Alcaraz out, the men's draw opens without the player who beat Sinner in last year's French Open final, according to Forbes' account of the 2025 championship match. (tennis365.com) ### What does the official tournament schedule say happens next? Roland-Garros says the 2026 tournament draw and schedule are posted on its official site, with the event identified as the 2026 edition of the French Open. USA Today, cited in the briefing material, reported the main-draw ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, at 8 a.m. ET in Paris. (forbes.com) The official Roland-Garros schedule says main-draw competition starts on Sunday. The men's bracket, including Sinner's placement and the paths for Djokovic, Zverev and Ruud, will be set when Thursday's draw is completed. ### Where can readers track the bracket once it is released? (forbes.com) The Roland-Garros results and draws page is carrying the 2026 tournament bracket information on the official site. That page is the tournament's published destination for singles draws, scores and schedules as the event begins. Thursday, May 21, is the next date on the calendar for the men's field. Sunday's start of main-draw play will then put Sinner, Djokovic, Zverev, Ruud and the rest of the field on court in Paris. (rolandgarros.com 1) (rolandgarros.com 2)