Roland‑Garros kicks off in Paris with Jannik Sinner among the favorites

Roland-Garros opened in Paris on Sunday, May 24, with Jannik Sinner arriving as the men’s top seed and one of the clearest favorites in the draw. Coco Gauff began the tournament as defending women’s champion, while the first day’s schedule also brought back Venus Williams for women’s doubles after a five-year absence. The 2026 tournament runs from May 24 to June 7 at Roland-Garros, according to the event’s official schedule. CBS Sports said Sinner is trying to complete a career Grand Slam in Paris this year, a distinction that has sharpened attention on the men’s field. ### Why is Jannik Sinner the central name in the men’s draw? Jannik Sinner entered Roland-Garros as the No. 1 seed, and the official draw lists him at the top of the men’s bracket. His first-round opponent is wildcard Clement Tabur, according to the tournament draw posted by Roland-Garros. CBS Sports said Sinner is pursuing the career Grand Slam in Paris, which would require him to win the only major title missing from his collection. (cbssports.com) BBC Sport said Sinner’s position has been strengthened by the absence of Carlos Alcaraz from the 2026 draw. Yahoo Sports, in a draw report, also said Alcaraz is out of both the French Open and Wimbledon because of injury, leaving Sinner’s path under heavier scrutiny from the opening day onward. (rolandgarros.com) ### Where does Coco Gauff stand in the women’s tournament? Coco Gauff began play as the defending women’s singles champion, putting her at the center of the women’s draw from the start of the fortnight. CBS Sports said the American is seeking a second straight title in Paris. Yahoo Sports said a potential meeting between Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka would not come until the final. (sports.yahoo.com) The women’s event opened with Gauff among the headline names on a day that mixed title contenders with returning veterans. Roland-Garros’ official results and schedule pages list the full singles and doubles draws as the tournament moves through first-round play this week. ### Why is Venus Williams’ return drawing attention? (cbssports.com) Venus Williams is back at Roland-Garros for the first time in five years, and Olympics.com said she will play women’s doubles with Hailey Baptiste. The same report said Williams turns 46 in June, is a 14-time Grand Slam doubles champion and won the French Open doubles title in 1999 and 2000 with Serena Williams. (rolandgarros.com) Olympics.com said Williams’ return adds a separate storyline to a tournament otherwise led by current singles contenders. Her doubles appearance comes alongside the main-draw start in singles, giving the opening days in Paris a second marquee attraction beyond the title races. (olympics.com) ### What does the opening-day schedule show? Roland-Garros posted its May 24 order of play on the tournament’s official site as the main draw got underway across the grounds in Paris. The official schedule page lists the event running through the women’s singles final on June 6 and the men’s singles final on June 7. (olympics.com) The men’s draw also shows Novak Djokovic seeded third and Alexander Zverev seeded second behind Sinner, underscoring the names still left in the field even without Alcaraz. First-round matches continue in the opening days before the tournament narrows toward the second week on the Paris clay. ### What comes next in Paris? (rolandgarros.com) Roland-Garros said the tournament continues daily in Paris through June 7, with singles, doubles and other events unfolding across the grounds. The official schedule lists the women’s singles final for June 6 and the men’s singles final for June 7, while Williams and Baptiste are set to begin their women’s doubles campaign during the opening rounds. (rolandgarros.com 1) (rolandgarros.com 2)