The 2025 season of major tournaments 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 female champions: Madison Keys (Australian Open), Coco Gauff (Roland Garros), Iga Swiatek (Wimbledon), and Sabalenka. On the men’s side, Alcaraz (also winner at Roland Garros) and Jannik Sinner (Australian Open and Wimbledon) shared the titles.
Now, it’s time to anticipate the 2026 season. Despite the excitement of the WTA and ATP finals, the Australian Open is already approaching. We analyze the main contenders in each of the Grand Slam tournaments for next year.
Sabalenka will seek to reclaim the title and will be motivated by her recent victory at the US Open. Gauff, after working on her serve, hopes to solve the problems she had this year. Swiatek, a semifinalist in 2025, will seek to complete the Grand Slam in Australia. Osaka, in good form after her return, will try to advance even further.
Possible surprises (female):
Jessica Pegula
Amanda Anisimova
Iva Jovic
Pegula, Anisimova, and Jovic could surprise. Anisimova, with experience in important finals, could achieve a title. Jovic, at 17 years old, could surprise with an outstanding performance.
Sinner and Alcaraz are the favorites, having dominated the last tournaments. Djokovic, despite being 38 years old, remains a contender. Sinner will seek his third consecutive title, while Alcaraz will try to complete the Grand Slam. Djokovic, with 10 titles in Australia, will seek to break the record for Grand Slam titles.
Possible surprises (masculine):
Ben Shelton
Alexander Zverev
Shelton and Zverev could challenge the favorites. Shelton, with his preferred surface, could surprise. Zverev, finalist in 2025, will seek redemption.
Swiatek, a four-time champion, will seek to reclaim her status as “Queen of Clay.” Gauff will seek her first consecutive title. Sabalenka will try to avenge her defeat in the final.
Possible surprises (female):
Mirra Andreeva
Jasmine Paolini
Zheng Qinwen
Andreeva, Paolini, and Zheng could stand out. Andreeva, with a good performance in 2024 and 2025, could achieve her first major title. Paolini, strong on clay, remains a competitor. Zheng, after an injury, could return strongly.
Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic are the main contenders. Alcaraz will seek his third consecutive title. Sinner, after a suspension, could be an even more formidable rival. Djokovic, with three titles, will seek another championship.
Possible surprises (masculine):
Lorenzo Musetti
Zverev
Holger Rune
Musetti, Zverev, and Rune could surprise. Musetti, in good form on clay, could improve his performance. Zverev, finalist in 2024, could have a good performance. Rune, with good results on clay, could stand out.
Wimbledon
Date: June 29 – July 12
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Defending champions: Swiatek and Sinner
Top Candidates (Female):
Swiatek
Sabalenka
Elena Rybakina
Swiatek, after her unexpected victory, could be the favorite. Sabalenka will seek to reach the final. Rybakina, champion in 2022, is always a contender.
Possible surprises (female):
Anisimova
Andreeva
Anisimova and Andreeva could surprise. Anisimova, with good performance on grass, could be a contender. Andreeva, with experience, could advance in the tournament.
Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic are the main contenders. Alcaraz will seek his third title. Sinner, after winning the title, will seek to defend it. Djokovic, seven-time champion, will seek to break the record.
Possible surprises (masculine):
Taylor Fritz
Jack Draper
Fritz and Draper could surprise. Fritz, with good results on grass, could have a good performance. Draper, the local favorite, could advance in the tournament.
US Open
Date: August 30 – September 13
Headquarters: New York
Defending champions: Sabalenka and Alcaraz
Top Candidates (Female):
Sabalenka
Gauff
Swiatek
Osaka
Sabalenka will seek her third consecutive title. Gauff will seek to prove that her early exit was an accident. Swiatek and Osaka will seek to win the tournament.
Possible surprises (female):
Anisimova
Karolina Muchova
Victoria Mboko
Anisimova, Muchova, and Mboko could surprise. Anisimova, after her good performance at Wimbledon, will seek the title. Muchova, always in the mix, could stand out. Mboko, with a good performance at the Canadian Open, could have an outstanding performance.
Alcaraz and Sinner, dominant in their respective paths to the final, are the favorites. Djokovic will seek a new title.
Possible surprises (masculine):
Shelton
Fritz
Draper
Felix Auger-Aliassime
Shelton, Fritz, Draper, and Auger-Aliassime could challenge the favorites. Shelton, with his game and charisma, could surprise. Fritz, Draper, and Auger-Aliassime will seek to advance in the tournament.
