Sinner and Djokovic drawn into opposite halves — can meet only in French Open final

Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic were placed in opposite halves of the 2026 French Open draw on Thursday, leaving the two men able to meet only in the final if both reach the last weekend. The singles brackets were published by Roland-Garros after the draw ceremony in Paris, setting the paths for the second Grand Slam of the season. On the women’s side, top seed Aryna Sabalenka and defending champion Coco Gauff landed on the same side of the bracket, which means a semifinal meeting is possible if seeds hold. Main-draw singles play begins on Sunday, May 24, according to the tournament schedule. ### How does the men’s draw shape the Sinner-Djokovic path? Roland-Garros published the full men’s singles draw on Thursday, showing Sinner and Djokovic in opposite halves of the bracket. That removes the chance of an earlier clash and leaves a final as their first possible meeting in Paris this year. The official tournament site also framed Sinner’s route as the central men’s storyline, while a separate Roland-Garros preview focused on Djokovic’s section and his pursuit of another title in Paris. Djokovic is chasing a 25th Grand Slam singles title, according to tournament and event coverage published ahead of the draw. (rolandgarros.com) ### Where do Sabalenka and Gauff stand in the women’s bracket? Olympics.com’s draw report said Sabalenka and Gauff could face each other in the semifinals if both progress through their sections. Gauff arrives in Paris as the defending women’s singles champion, according to event coverage published this week. (rolandgarros.com) The women’s draw therefore separates the two from a title match scenario and instead puts a potential meeting one round earlier. That structure leaves the bottom half open to a different finalist if either player is upset before the last four. ### When does Roland-Garros start, and what has been scheduled? (olympics.com) Roland-Garros said men’s and women’s first-round main-draw action begins on Sunday, May 24. The tournament’s full 2026 schedule says the event runs through June 7, with the women’s singles final set for June 6 and the men’s singles final for June 7. The tournament’s provisional schedule says the complete daily order of play is announced the day before on the official website and mobile application. (olympics.com) That means first-round court assignments and start times are released on a rolling basis rather than all at once. ### What else stands out around the opening days in Paris? Roland-Garros said the singles draws were made on Thursday, followed by media day on Friday and Yannick Noah Day on Saturday before the main draw starts. (rolandgarros.com) The event is the 125th edition of the French Open and the second Grand Slam tournament of the season. The official entry information says the 2026 tournament runs from May 18 to June 7, covering qualifying, main-draw singles and doubles, and wheelchair events across the three-week schedule. (tickets.rolandgarros.com) Wild cards for the qualifying rounds and final draw had already been finalized before Thursday’s bracket release. ### What should readers watch next? (rolandgarros.com) Sunday, May 24, is the next key date, when first-round singles matches begin at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris. The tournament’s official site will publish the day-by-day order of play, court assignments and updated draws as Sinner, Djokovic, Sabalenka and Gauff begin their campaigns. (rolandgarros.com 1) (rolandgarros.com 2)