French Open predictions: Is Jannik Sinner unbeatable? Novak Djokovic's last chance? Is this Aryna Sabalenka's time?
Jannik Sinner targets a maiden French Open title, and could this be Novak Djokovic's last Grand Slam chance? What about British hopes? Tim Henman, Laura Robson, Juan Martin del Potro and Gabriela Sabatini make their predictions ahead of this year's second major in Paris
Wednesday 20 May 2026 11:57, UK
Is Jannik Sinner unbeatable? Is this Novak Djokovic's last chance? What about Aryna Sabalenka's chances of landing her maiden French Open? It's predictions time...
World No 1 Sinner has the chance to complete his Grand Slam haul after ticking off a full set of Masters 1000 titles, and the withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz has changed the feel of the tournament.
The Australian Open, which he has won twice, US Open and Wimbledon titles have already confirmed the Italian's authority at the majors and Roland-Garros now represents less of a question mark in his bid for the final major in an already remarkably complete profile.
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Djokovic heads to Paris with the singular goal of winning a record 25th Grand Slam title, but his chances of making history have dimmed thanks to a disrupted 2026 campaign that has left the Serb searching for sharpness.
Sabalenka remains unbeatable at times on hard courts, but the world No 1 is still perfecting her game on clay.
With so many questions we asked our pundits Tim Henman and Laura Robson for their predictions as well as legends Juan Martin del Potro and Gabriela Sabatini.
Who will win the men's title?
Henman
It will be Sinner. At the moment with Alcaraz out of the game, he's looking absolutely unbeatable. He's playing brilliant tennis. He's fit, he's healthy, and he has a significant mental advantage over the opposition.
Robson
Sinner because no one is coming close to his level at the moment and Carlos isn't playing.
Who will win the women's title?
Henman
Iga Swiatek. She's got a new coach in her corner, Francis Roig, who worked with Rafael Nadal and was a part of so many Roland-Garros titles. I love the way she's playing, but most importantly the way she's behaving on the court. She looks more relaxed, less stressed, playing controlled, aggressive tennis and I think she's going to get another French Open title.
Robson
At the start of the year I went for Swiatek so I'm going to hold my nerve and still go for her. She's implementing the right things. She's on the comeback - not that she really went anywhere - but good omens considering how well she played in Rome.
Is this Djokovic's last chance?
Henman
I don't think this is Novak's last chance because I think his best chance is at Wimbledon a couple of weeks later. I personally don't think with the seven matches over the best-of-five sets he's capable of winning Roland-Garros again. That's purely a physical thing, whereas on grass there are less players who know how to play on grass and it's less physically demanding, so I still think he has a very good chance at Wimbledon.
Robson
Is it Novak's last chance? Maybe at Roland-Garros but I don't think it's his last chance at some of the other Slams - especially Wimbledon. It's definitely going to be harder on a slow clay-court.
Juan Martin Del Potro
For me, Novak is the greatest. He's still playing at almost 40 years old and he's fighting with Alcaraz and Sinner and he has all the records. I mean, he's a fantastic human being. He's a good friend and I love him.
Who is your dark horse in the men's draw?
Henman
Joao Fonseca. He is moving up the rankings rapidly. The way he plays on clay, he's got a massive forehand and I just think he's waiting for a breakout in one of the majors.
Robson
If he is healthy, hopefully this ages well, I'm going to say Arthur Fils. Can he even be called a dark horse anymore, probably not! But that's who I'm going with.
Del Potro
I believe Fonseca has the potential to go to the top of the game, but for all the players it's really difficult to say how far he will go in the next years. I couldn't say if it will be next year or in two years, three years, but I think he has the potential to reach the top.
Sabatini
Fonseca is spectacular the way he plays and his mentality. He has shown that he can be there at the top but it takes time. You have to play a lot of matches and the experience to play against the top players, but he is coming along.
He has everything to be there and I do believe he can compete with Alcaraz and Sinner. His mind is crucial for these type of matches and he has the focus and determination which is what you need for matches like this. He has the game but there is room for improvement. He has the power, the athleticism and I think he can really be there.
Who is your dark horse in the women's draw?
Henman
I'm going with Peyton Sterns. I've watched her and she's capable of playing some great tennis. Her ranking is down at 48 [before Rome] but I think she can be a lot higher than that and if she can get a good draw I think she can do some damage.
Robson
I'm going with Anastasia Potapova. She put together a great tournament in Madrid and she's not one of the names everyone is thinking about.
Sabatini
I like what I'm seeing in women's tennis right now with so many young player like defending champion Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva and Vicky Mboko, but I really like Karolina Muchova. I think she's a great player and she also has great skills. She can do anything. I also really like the American Hailey Baptiste, but it's nice what is happening.
What about the Brits?
Henman
It's still a big challenge but we have a little bit of strength in depth. But the reality is they're going into those matches as underdogs. In the main draw, the player who's got the best chance of progressing is Cameron Norrie. He's back at No 20 in the world and looks like he's regained his confidence. If anyone is going to get through to the second week, it's going to be him.
If you lose early in Paris then you can get onto the grass quickly and start preparing but I would like to see three or four of our players through the qualifying and into the main draw. That would be amazing and the four in the main draw, if they can win a couple of rounds then that would be a big, big success. Lots of opportunity and lots to look forward to as a spectator.
Robson
I hope someone makes the second week and if I had to pick who that might be, I would go with Norrie.
If the Brits have gone to Paris, they clearly intend to do well. No one is just going to show up and I always think that it was just a bit of a stereotype in the first place. Obviously grass is at the forefront of your mind until you're done at the tournament prior. If you're at Roland-Garros you're going to take it seriously.
What about Raducanu?
Sabatini
Since that US Open win she's been on and off. It's hard to tell what is happening when you don't know what is happening inside her mind or in the team.
The hardest thing in tennis is to maintain your level. It's easier to get there but to stay there takes a lot more.
Can Sabalenka win her maiden French Open?
Sabatini
Sabalenka has had to fight hard to win those Grand Slams but it's nice to see some variety from her. I personally like that because that used to be my game, so I like it when someone comes to the net or does something different.
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