2026 Grand Slam Predictions: Sabalenka, Alcaraz, and More in Sight

The 2026 Grand Slam Season: Major Predictions

The 2025 tennis season concluded with the US Open in New York, where Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz took the titles. It was a memorable season, with four different champions in the women’s tournaments and a shared dominance on the men’s circuit. Now, it’s time to look ahead to 2026 and predict who will be the main contenders in the Grand Slam tournaments.

Aryna Sabalenka, champion of the 2025 US Open, will seek to continue adding Grand Slam titles.

Australian Open

Date: January 18 – February 1.

Defending champions: Keys and Sinner.Female Contenders: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, and Osaka. Sabalenka will seek to reclaim the title after her victory at the US Open. Gauff, hoping to fix issues with her serve, could be a strong competitor. Swiatek, after her victory in Cincinnati, will seek to complete the Grand Slam in Australia. Osaka, in good form, will try to continue her return to the circuit.Possible first-time champions: Pegula, Anisimova, Jovic. Pegula, with experience in important tournaments, could surprise. Anisimova, after her recent finals, will seek her first Grand Slam title. Jovic, the young champion of the 2024 Australian Open junior, could be a revelation.

Novak Djokovic, seeking to break the Grand Slam titles record.Male contenders: Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic. Sinner and Alcaraz are the favorites, with Djokovic as the main threat. Sinner will seek his third consecutive title in Australia, while Alcaraz will try to complete the Grand Slam. Djokovic, with 10 titles in Australia, will seek to break the Grand Slam title record.Possible first-time champions: Shelton and Zverev. Shelton, with good performance on hard court, could challenge the favorites. Zverev, finalist in 2025, will seek his first Grand Slam title.

Roland Garros

Date: May 24 – June 7.

Defending champions: Gauff and Alcaraz.Female contenders: Swiatek, Gauff, Sabalenka. Swiatek, four-time champion at Roland Garros, will seek to reclaim her throne. Gauff, after her victory in the tournament, will seek her first consecutive title. Sabalenka will try to avenge her defeat in the final.Possible first-time champions: Andreeva, Paolini, Zheng. Andreeva, after reaching the semifinals in 2024, will seek her first title. Paolini, finalist at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, remains a force on clay. Zheng, after an injury, will seek to return to the circuit.

Mirra Andreeva, after a great season, could surprise at Roland Garros.Male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic. Alcaraz, defending champion, and Sinner could star in an exciting rematch. Djokovic, three-time champion at Roland Garros, will seek another title.Possible first-time champions: Musetti, Zverev, Rune. Musetti, with good performance on clay, could be a surprise. Zverev, in search of his first title, could find his opportunity at Roland Garros. Rune, with good results on clay, will seek to advance in the tournament.

Wimbledon

Date: June 29 – July 12.

Defending champions: Swiatek and Sinner.

Female Contenders: Swiatek, Sabalenka, Rybakina.

Swiatek, after her victory at Wimbledon, will seek to defend her title. Sabalenka will seek to reach the final, something she has not yet achieved. Rybakina, champion in 2022, is always a competitor on grass.Possible first-time champions: Anisimova, Andreeva. Anisimova, after her performance at Wimbledon, will seek to continue competing at a high level. Andreeva, with experience in the tournament, could surprise.

Iga Swiatek, defending champion at Wimbledon.Male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic. Alcaraz, champion in 2023 and 2024, will seek to regain the title. Sinner, defending champion, will seek to maintain his good level. Djokovic, seven-time champion at Wimbledon, will seek to break the record.Possible first-time champions: Fritz, Draper. Fritz, with good performance on grass, could surprise. Draper, the local favorite, will seek to advance in the tournament.

US Open

Date: August 30 – September 13.

Defending champions: Sabalenka and Alcaraz.

Female Contenders: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, Osaka.

Sabalenka, the defending champion, will seek her third consecutive title. Gauff, after her exit in the fourth round, will seek to prove her worth. Swiatek and Osaka will seek to end the season with a title.Possible first-time champions: Anisimova, Muchova, Mboko. Anisimova, after her return, will seek to complete her comeback with a title. Muchova, a US Open semi-finalist, is always a competitor. Mboko, after her victory at the Canadian Open, will seek to continue rising.

Naomi Osaka, seeking another title at the US Open.Male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic. Alcaraz and Sinner, after a dominant final, will seek another title. Djokovic will seek another title.Possible first-time champions: Shelton, Fritz, Draper, Auger-Aliassime. Shelton, with good performance on hard court, could be a surprise. Fritz and Draper will seek to advance in the tournament. Auger-Aliassime will seek to continue competing at a high level.