Analysis and Predictions for the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments in 2026
The 2025 Grand Slams season came to an end with exciting victories by Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open. Now, it’s time to look to the future and anticipate what 2026 will bring, with the best tennis players in the world competing for the most prestigious titles.
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Australian Open
Date: January 18 – February 1.
Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia.
Defending champions: Keys and Sinner.Female Contenders: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, and Osaka. Sabalenka, who has already won the tournament twice, will seek her fifth Grand Slam title on her favorite surface and tournament. Gauff, after some challenges with her serve, hopes to enter the new year with those difficulties overcome. Swiatek, for her part, will seek to complete the career Grand Slam in Australia. And, of course, Osaka, who has had a resurgence this summer. Her return to the top 14 of the ranking, her best position since she returned from her maternity leave, drives her to seek an even better performance.Best chance for a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Pegula, Anisimova, Jovic. Pegula, with three quarter-finals at the Australian Open, reached the US Open final in 2024 and the semi-finals this year. Anisimova, who has reached consecutive finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, and Jovic, the junior champion of the 2024 Australian Open, could surprise.
Roland Garros
Date: May 24 – June 7.
Headquarters: Paris, France.
Defending champions: Gauff and Alcaraz.Female contenders: Swiatek, Gauff, Sabalenka. Swiatek, a four-time champion at Roland Garros, will seek to reclaim her title, while Gauff will seek her first consecutive Grand Slam title. Sabalenka will also seek revenge after her defeat in the final.Best chance for a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Andreeva, Paolini, Zheng. Andreeva, Paolini, and Zheng could surprise in Paris.Male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic. Alcaraz, the defending champion, and Sinner, could star in another epic final. Djokovic will seek his fourth title at Roland Garros.Best chance for a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Musetti, Zverev, Rune. Musetti, Zverev, and Rune could be surprise contenders in Paris.Wimbledon
Date: June 29 – July 12.
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
Defending champions: Swiatek and Sinner.Female Contenders: Swiatek, Sabalenka, Rybakina.
Swiatek, after her unexpected victory at Wimbledon, will seek to defend her title. Sabalenka will try to reach the final, and Rybakina, champion in 2022, is always a contender.Best chance for a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Anisimova, Andreeva. Anisimova and Andreeva could be the surprises at Wimbledon.Male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic. Alcaraz will seek his third title at Wimbledon, while Sinner will try to defend his title. Djokovic will seek his eighth title.Best chance for a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Fritz, Draper. Fritz and Draper could surprise at Wimbledon.US Open
Date: August 30 – September 13.
Headquarters: New York.
Defending champions: Sabalenka and Alcaraz.Female Contenders: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, Osaka.
Sabalenka will seek her third consecutive title, while Gauff, Swiatek, and Osaka will also compete for the title.Best chance for a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Anisimova, Muchova, Mboko. Anisimova, Muchova, and Mboko could surprise at the US Open.Male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic. Alcaraz and Sinner will seek another memorable final. Djokovic will compete for his fifth title.Best chance for a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Shelton, Fritz, Draper, Auger-Aliassime. Shelton, Fritz, Draper, and Auger-Aliassime could be the surprise contenders at the US Open.
