Deep Dive: Predictions for the 2026 Grand Slam Season
The 2025 tennis season came to an end with the exciting triumphs of Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open in New York. Now, it’s time to anticipate what 2026 will bring, with an eye on the Grand Slam tournaments. The 2025 season was full of memorable moments, with four women winning individual titles: Madison Keys (Australian Open), Coco Gauff (Roland Garros), Iga Swiatek (Wimbledon), and Sabalenka, in addition to an outstanding participation of American tennis players in the finals. In the men’s circuit, Alcaraz (also winner at Roland Garros) and Jannik Sinner (Australian Open and Wimbledon) shared the titles. Sinner reached the final in each Grand Slam, facing Alcaraz in three of them. Keys was the only champion for the first time in 2025. Alexander Zverev was the only man, apart from Alcaraz and Sinner, to reach a Grand Slam final.While Sabalenka and Alcaraz enjoy their recent victories, and despite the fact that there is still a lot of action in the current season, it’s time to start planning for the 2026 season. Just four months before the start of the Australian Open, we venture to predict the main contenders for each Grand Slam.
Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia
Defending champions: Keys and SinnerTop 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 her defeat in New York, will seek to address her serving issues. Swiatek, a semifinalist in 2025, will seek to complete her career Grand Slam in Australia. And, of course, Osaka, who has had a resurgence this summer.Best chance for a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Iva Jovic Pegula, Anisimova, and Jovic could be the surprises of the tournament.
Roland Garros
Dates: May 24 – June 7Headquarters: Paris, France
Defending champions: Gauff and AlcarazTop female contenders: Swiatek, Gauff, Sabalenka Swiatek, Gauff, and Sabalenka are the main contenders at Roland Garros.Best chance for a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Mirra Andreeva, Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen Andreeva, Paolini, and Zheng could surprise in Paris.
Wimbledon
Dates: June 29 – July 12
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Defending champions: Swiatek and SinnerTop female contenders: Swiatek, Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Rybakina are the main female contenders at Wimbledon.Best chance for a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Anisimova, Andreeva Anisimova and Andreeva could surprise at Wimbledon.
US Open
Dates: August 30 – September 13Headquarters: New York
Defending champions: Sabalenka and AlcarazTop female contenders: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, Osaka Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, and Osaka are the main female contenders at the US Open.Best chance for a Grand Slam champion for the first time: Anisimova, Karolina Muchova, Victoria Mboko Anisimova, Muchova, and Mboko could surprise at the US Open.
