Explosive Predictions: Who Will Shine at the 2026 Grand Slams?

Analysis of the Favorites 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 women champions in the different tournaments: Madison Keys (Australian Open), Coco Gauff (Roland Garros), Iga Swiatek (Wimbledon), and Sabalenka, with an American reaching the final in each one. In the men’s division, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner shared the titles, with Sinner reaching the final in all the Slams and facing Alcaraz in three of them. While Sabalenka and Alcaraz celebrate their victories, and although there is still tennis to be played on the Asian tour and the WTA and ATP finals, it’s time to look towards 2026. There are only four months left until the Australian Open.

Next, we analyze the main contenders for the 2026 Grand Slams.

Australian Open

Date: 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, boosted by her recent victory at the US Open. Gauff, after overcoming her service issues, will aim to improve her performance. Swiatek, a semifinalist in 2025, will try to complete her career Grand Slam. Osaka, in great form, will seek to continue her comeback to the highest level.Greater chance of a new champion: Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Iva Jovic Pegula, with tournament experience, will seek her first Grand Slam title. Anisimova, after reaching consecutive finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, will look to realize her potential. Jovic, the young champion of the 2024 Australian Open junior, could surprise.

Top male contenders: Sinner, Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic Sinner and Alcaraz are the favorites, having dominated the last tournaments. Djokovic, despite his age, remains a threat. Sinner will seek his third consecutive title, while Alcaraz will try to complete the Grand Slam of his career. Djokovic will seek to break the record for titles.Higher chance of an unexpected champion: Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev Shelton could challenge Alcaraz and Sinner. Zverev, after reaching the final in 2025, will seek his first Grand Slam title.

Roland Garros

Date: May 24 – June 7

Headquarters: Paris, France

Defending champions: Gauff and AlcarazTop female contenders: Swiatek, Gauff, Sabalenka Swiatek, four-time champion at Roland Garros, will seek to regain her crown. Gauff, after her success on clay, will seek her first consecutive title. Sabalenka will try to avenge her defeat in the final.Higher chance of an unseeded champion: Mirra Andreeva, Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen Andreeva, with a great performance in 2024, could surprise. Paolini, finalist at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, remains a force on clay. Zheng, after an injury, will seek her comeback.

Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic Alcaraz and Sinner could star in another epic final. Djokovic will seek his fourth title at Roland Garros.Higher chance of an unseeded champion: Lorenzo Musetti, Zverev, Holger Rune Musetti, on the rise on clay, could surprise. Zverev will seek his first title. Rune, with a good performance on clay, could aim for the title.

Wimbledon

Date: June 29 – July 12

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom

Defending champions: Swiatek and SinnerTop female contenders: Swiatek, Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina Swiatek, after her unexpected success in 2025, will seek to defend her title. Sabalenka will seek to reach the final. Rybakina, champion in 2022, is always a contender.Higher chance of a new champion: Anisimova, Andreeva Anisimova, with a good performance on grass, could surprise. Andreeva, with experience, could take a step forward.

Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic Alcaraz will seek to regain the title. Sinner will defend his crown. Djokovic will seek his eighth title.Higher chance of an unseeded champion: Taylor Fritz, Jack Draper Fritz, with experience on grass, could surprise. Draper, with the support of the local public, could cause an upset.

US Open

Date: August 30 – September 13

Headquarters: New York

Defending champions: Sabalenka and AlcarazTop female contenders: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, Osaka Sabalenka will seek her third consecutive title. Gauff, Swiatek, and Osaka will seek the title.Higher chance of a new champion: Anisimova, Karolina Muchova, Victoria Mboko Anisimova, after her return, will seek the title. Muchova, always in the fight, could surprise. Mboko, after her success at the Canadian Masters, could continue her rise.

Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic Alcaraz and Sinner will seek the title. Djokovic will seek his fifth title.Greater chance of an unreleased champion: Shelton, Fritz, Draper, Felix Auger-Aliassime Shelton, with the support of the public, could surprise. Fritz and Draper will seek the title. Auger-Aliassime will seek the title.