2026 Predictions: Who will dominate the Grand Slams?

Analysis of the Candidates for the 2026 Grand Slams

The 2025 Grand Slam season came to an end with Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz lifting the US Open trophies in New York. Now, it’s time to anticipate what 2026 will bring, just four months before the start of the Australian Open. Here, an analysis of the main contenders in each of the most important tournaments.

Aryna Sabalenka won two Australian Open titles, in 2023 and 2024, before losing to Madison Keys in the final this year.

Australian Open

When: January 18 – February 1Where: Melbourne, AustraliaDefending champions: Keys and SinnerTop female contenders: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, and Osaka Sabalenka will seek to reclaim the title, boosted by her recent victory at the US Open. Gauff, after overcoming issues with her serve, will look to improve her performance. Swiatek, a semifinalist in 2025, will try to complete her career Grand Slam. Osaka, on the rise, will seek to extend her comeback.Best chance for an unedited champion: Pegula, Anisimova, Jovic Pegula, with experience in the quarterfinals, will seek her opportunity. Anisimova, after reaching finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, could achieve victory. Jovic, junior champion in Australia 2024 and winner of a title in Guadalajara, could surprise.

Novak Djokovic is still seeking his 25th Grand Slam title to break the historical record.Top male contenders: Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic Sinner and Alcaraz, dominant in recent seasons, are the favorites. Djokovic, despite being 38 years old, remains a threat. Sinner, the defending champion, will seek his third consecutive title. Alcaraz, number one in the world, will try to complete the Grand Slam of his career.Best chance for an unprecedented champion: Shelton and Zverev Shelton, with the potential to challenge Alcaraz and Sinner, could surprise in Melbourne. Zverev, finalist in 2025, will seek his first Grand Slam title.

Roland Garros

When: May 24 – June 7

Where: Paris, FranceDefending champions: Gauff and AlcarazTop female contenders: Swiatek, Gauff, Sabalenka Swiatek, a four-time champion at Roland Garros, will seek to regain her dominance. Gauff, after her good results on clay, will seek her first consecutive title. Sabalenka will try to avenge her defeat in the final.Best chance for an unseeded champion: Andreeva, Paolini, Zheng Qinwen Andreeva, a semi-finalist in 2024, could make the leap. Paolini, a finalist at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, remains a force on clay. Zheng, after an injury, will seek her comeback.

Mirra Andreeva reached the semi-finals of the French Open 2025.Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic Alcaraz, defending champion, and Sinner, faced each other in an epic final in 2025. Djokovic, three-time champion, will seek another title.Best opportunity for an unprecedented champion: Musetti, Zverev, Rune Musetti, with a great season on clay, could surprise. Zverev, with experience at Roland Garros, will seek his opportunity. Rune, with good results on clay, will seek to consolidate.

Wimbledon

When: June 29 – July 12Where: London, United KingdomDefending champions: Swiatek and Sinner

Top female contenders: Swiatek, Sabalenka, Rybakina

Swiatek, surprising champion in 2025, will seek to maintain her title. Sabalenka, three-time semi-finalist, will seek to reach the final. Rybakina, champion in 2022, is always a contender.Best chance for an unedited champion: Anisimova, Andreeva Anisimova, with a great performance in 2025, will seek the title. Andreeva, with experience at Wimbledon, could surprise.

Iga Swiatek was the surprising winner of Wimbledon this year.Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic Alcaraz, champion in 2023 and 2024, will seek to regain the title. Sinner, defending champion, will try to maintain his dominance. Djokovic, seven-time champion, will seek to break the record.Best chance for an unheralded champion: Fritz, Draper Fritz, with good performance on grass, could surprise. Draper, with local support, will seek to advance.

US Open

When: August 30 – September 13Where: New YorkDefending champions: Sabalenka and AlcarazTop female contenders: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, Osaka Sabalenka, defending champion, will seek her third consecutive title. Gauff, Swiatek, and Osaka will seek to close the season with a trophy.Best chance for an unedited champion: Anisimova, Muchova, Mboko Anisimova, after her great performance at Wimbledon, will seek the title. Muchova, a semifinalist at the US Open, will seek her opportunity. Mboko, after her victory at the Canadian Open, could surprise.

Naomi Osaka reached the semi-finals of the 2025 US Open, her best result since returning from maternity leave.Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic Alcaraz and Sinner, dominant in New York, could face each other again in the final. Djokovic will seek another title.Best chance for an unprecedented champion: Shelton, Fritz, Draper, Auger-Aliassime Shelton, with a good performance on hard court, could surprise. Fritz, Draper, and Auger-Aliassime will seek their opportunity.