Predictions 2026: Who will dominate the Tennis Grand Slams?

The 2025 Grand Slam season came to an end last week in New York, with Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz being crowned US Open champions. Now, it’s time to anticipate what 2026 has in store for us.

The Tennis Landscape in 2026

The 2025 Grand Slam season was memorable. Four women won the titles: Madison Keys (Australian Open), Coco Gauff (Roland Garros), Iga Swiatek (Wimbledon), and Sabalenka. In the men’s category, Alcaraz (also a winner at Roland Garros) and Jannik Sinner (Australian Open and Wimbledon) shared the titles. Sabalenka and Alcaraz celebrate their recent achievements, while the tennis world is already looking towards 2026. Following is an analysis of the main contenders in each of the Grand Slam tournaments.

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

Australian Open

Date: January 18 – February 1Headquarters: 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 issues with her serve, will seek a new year with a good performance. Swiatek, a semi-finalist in 2025, will try to complete the career Grand Slam in Australia. Osaka, in a good moment in her career, will seek to advance even further in her return.Greater chance of a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Iva Jovic Pegula, Anisimova, and Jovic have chances. Jovic, the young champion, has shown her potential.

Novak Djokovic is still seeking a number 25 title to break the all-time record.Top male contenders: Sinner, Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic Sinner and Alcaraz are the main favorites. Djokovic, despite his age, remains a threat. Sinner will seek to win his third consecutive title at the Australian Open. Alcaraz will try to complete the career Grand Slam and win his first title in Australia.Greater chance of a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Ben Shelton and Zverev Shelton and Zverev are the players with the most possibilities.

Roland Garros

Date: May 24 – June 7Headquarters: Paris, FranceDefending champions: Gauff and AlcarazTop female contenders: Swiatek, Gauff, Sabalenka Swiatek will seek to reclaim her title. Gauff will seek her first consecutive Grand Slam title. Sabalenka will try to avenge her defeat and demonstrate her ability on natural surfaces.Higher chance of a first-time Grand Slam champion: Mirra Andreeva, Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen Andreeva, Paolini, and Zheng have chances.

Mirra Andreeva reached the semifinals of the 2025 French Open.Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic will be the favorites again. Alcaraz has an advantage on clay, but Sinner will seek to win the tournament. Djokovic will seek his fourth title.Higher chance of a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Lorenzo Musetti, Zverev, Holger Rune Musetti, Zverev and Rune are the players with the most possibilities.

Wimbledon

Date: June 29 – July 12

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom

Defending champions: Swiatek and SinnerTop female contenders: Swiatek, Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina Swiatek, after her surprising victory, will seek to repeat her triumph. Sabalenka will seek to reach the final. Rybakina is always a contender on this surface.Greater chance of a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Anisimova, Andreeva Anisimova and Andreeva are the players with possibilities.

Iga Swiatek was the surprising winner of Wimbledon this year.Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic are the main contenders. Alcaraz will seek his third consecutive title. Djokovic will try to break the record for titles.Higher chance of a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Taylor Fritz, Jack Draper Fritz and Draper are the players with possibilities.

US Open

Date: August 30 – September 13

Headquarters: New YorkDefending champions: Sabalenka and AlcarazTop female contenders: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, Osaka Sabalenka will seek her third consecutive title. Gauff will seek to demonstrate her potential. Swiatek and Osaka will seek to end the season with a title.Greater chance of a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Anisimova, Karolina Muchova, Victoria Mboko Anisimova, Muchova and Mboko are the players with possibilities.

Naomi Osaka reached the semifinals of the 2025 US Open, her best result since returning from maternity leave.Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic Alcaraz and Sinner are the main contenders. Djokovic will seek his fifth title.Higher chance of a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Shelton, Fritz, Draper, Felix Auger-Aliassime Shelton, Fritz, Draper, and Auger-Aliassime are the players with possibilities.