Jannik Sinner French Open favorite 2026

Jannik Sinner opened the 2026 French Open on May 24 as the central figure in the men’s draw after Carlos Alcaraz’s earlier withdrawal removed the player most often cast as his main rival in Paris. BBC Sport said Sinner’s form and Alcaraz’s absence had made the Italian the strongest men’s favorite at Roland Garros since Rafael Nadal at his peak. CBS Sports and ESPN also placed Sinner at the center of the title race as the tournament began. On the women’s side, CBS said Coco Gauff returned as defending champion. ### Why is Sinner being treated as the man to beat in Paris? BBC Sport said Sinner entered Roland Garros as the “heaviest favourite” for the men’s title since Nadal’s dominant years in Paris, citing both his recent level and the absence of Alcaraz. The outlet framed the tournament around two questions: whether anyone can stop Sinner, and who would have to do it if Alcaraz is not in the field. ESPN’s contender rankings also put Sinner at the top of the men’s picture, while other tournament previews described him as the overwhelming favorite in the draw. The consensus across those previews was built around his ranking, recent results and the changed field. ### What changed when Alcaraz pulled out? (sports.yahoo.com) Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the 2026 French Open with a wrist injury, removing the two-time defending champion from the event before main-draw play began. ABC reported on April 25 that Alcaraz would miss both Roland Garros and Rome because of the injury. (cbssports.com) That absence changed the shape of the tournament immediately. BBC said Alcaraz’s withdrawal was a major reason Sinner now stood alone at the top of the men’s field, and CBS’s betting and tournament coverage likewise described the Spaniard’s absence as one of the event’s biggest storylines. ### What is at stake for Sinner beyond this tournament? (abc.net.au) CBS Sports said Sinner arrived in Paris with a chance to complete the career Grand Slam, making Roland Garros the missing major in his collection. Its tournament guide listed that pursuit alongside Gauff’s title defense as one of the defining themes of the fortnight. (sports.yahoo.com) Other coverage echoed that point. Yahoo’s tournament preview said the draw was revealed with Sinner hoping to complete the career Grand Slam, and The Athletic described the men’s field as having one overwhelming favorite as he pursued that milestone. ### Who else is in the men’s and women’s title conversation? (cbssports.com) ESPN’s rankings framed the women’s field around Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Gauff, rather than a single runaway favorite. UPI’s draw coverage also pointed to possible later-round matchups involving Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula and Sabalenka. (sports.yahoo.com) CBS said Gauff entered the tournament as defending champion, giving the women’s event a different starting point from the men’s side. Tennis365’s entry-list preview also listed Gauff as defending champion and Sabalenka as the top seed in the women’s draw. ### How long does this framing last? (upi.com) The 2026 French Open began on Sunday, May 24, and runs through Sunday, June 7, according to USA Today and bracket coverage published ahead of the tournament. That means Sinner’s status as favorite will now be tested round by round on clay in Paris, while Gauff begins her defense of the women’s title over the same two-week stretch. (usatoday.com) (cbssports.com)