2026 Predictions: Who Will Reign at the Grand Slams?

Analysis of the Contenders 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. It was a memorable season, with four different champions on the women’s circuit: Madison Keys (Australian Open), Coco Gauff (Roland Garros), Iga Swiatek (Wimbledon), and Sabalenka. In the men’s category, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner shared the titles, with Sinner reaching the final in each Grand Slam. While Sabalenka and Alcaraz celebrate their successes, it’s time to look towards 2026. Below, an analysis of the main contenders for the most important tennis tournaments.

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

Australian Open

Dates: January 18 – February 1

Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia

Defending champions: Keys and Sinner

Top female contenders: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, and Naomi Osaka

Sabalenka will seek to reclaim the title, fueled by her recent victory at the US Open. Gauff, after working on her serve, will seek to improve her performance. Swiatek, a semifinalist in 2025, will try to complete the career Grand Slam. Osaka, on the rise, will seek to take her comeback even further.Possible female surprises: Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Iva Jovic Pegula, with experience in the quarterfinals, will seek her opportunity. Anisimova, with experience in Grand Slam finals, could surprise. Jovic, junior champion in Australia, could perform well.

Top male contenders: Sinner, Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic Sinner and Alcaraz are the favorites, with Djokovic as the main threat. Sinner, defending champion, will seek his third consecutive title. Alcaraz, looking to complete the career Grand Slam, will try to win his first title in Australia.Possible male surprises: Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev Shelton, with a good performance on hard court, could challenge the favorites. Zverev, finalist in 2025, will seek to redeem himself.

Roland Garros

Dates: May 24 – June 7

Headquarters: Paris, France

Defending champions: Gauff and AlcarazTop female contenders: Swiatek, Gauff, Sabalenka Swiatek, a four-time champion at Roland Garros, will seek to regain her dominance. Gauff, with a good performance on clay, will seek her second consecutive title. Sabalenka will try to avenge her defeat in the final.Possible female surprises: Mirra Andreeva, Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen Andreeva, with a good performance in 2024, could surprise. Paolini, with success in doubles, remains a force on clay. Zheng, recovering from an injury, could return strongly.

Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic Alcaraz, defending champion, and Sinner, will star in a possible match. Djokovic will seek his fourth title at Roland Garros.Possible male surprises: Lorenzo Musetti, Zverev, Holger Rune Musetti, with a good performance on clay, could improve. Zverev, with experience at Roland Garros, will seek his opportunity. Rune, with a good performance on clay, could surprise.

Wimbledon

Dates: June 29 – July 12

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom

Defending champions: Swiatek and SinnerTop female contenders: Swiatek, Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina Swiatek, after her victory at Wimbledon, could be the favorite. Sabalenka will seek to reach the final, Rybakina, champion in 2022, is always a contender.Possible female surprises: Anisimova, Andreeva Anisimova, with a good performance, could be a candidate. Andreeva, with experience in the quarterfinals, could improve.

Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic Alcaraz, champion in 2023 and 2024, will seek the three-peat. Sinner, defending champion, will seek to defend his title. Djokovic, seven-time champion, will try to break the record.

Possible male upsets: Taylor Fritz, Jack Draper

Fritz, with good performance on grass, will seek his opportunity. Draper, the local favorite, could spring a surprise.

US Open

Dates: August 30 – September 13

Headquarters: New York

Defending champions: Sabalenka and AlcarazTop female contenders: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, Osaka Sabalenka, defending champion, will seek the three-peat. Gauff, Swiatek, and Osaka will seek the title.Possible female surprises: Anisimova, Karolina Muchova, Victoria Mboko Anisimova, with a good performance, could be a candidate. Muchova, with experience, could surprise. Mboko, on the rise, could have a great performance.

Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic Alcaraz, champion in 2022, and Sinner, defending champion, will seek the title. Djokovic, four-time champion, will also be in the fight.Possible male surprises: Shelton, Fritz, Draper, Felix Auger-Aliassime Shelton, with great play, could be a threat. Fritz, Draper and Auger-Aliassime will look for their opportunity.