Predictions for the 2026 Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments
The 2025 Grand Slam season came to an end with Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz’s victories at the US Open in New York. Now, it’s time to look to the future and anticipate what 2026 might bring.
2025 was a memorable year, with four women winning titles: 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 Slam.
Despite the celebrations of Sabalenka and Alcaraz, and with the Asian circuit and the WTA and ATP Finals still to be played, it’s time to focus on 2026. Below, we analyze the main contenders in each of the Grand Slam tournaments.Aryna Sabalenka, champion of the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024.
Australian Open
Date: January 18 – February 1Headquarters: Melbourne, AustraliaDefending champions: Keys and SinnerTop female contenders: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, and Naomi Osaka
Sabalenka will seek to reclaim the title, boosted by her recent US Open victory. Gauff, after working on her service issues, should arrive with confidence. Swiatek will seek to complete the career Grand Slam. Osaka, in a moment of resurgence, will seek to advance even further in her comeback.Possible first-time champions: Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Iva Jovic
Pegula, with tournament experience, could surprise. Anisimova, after her finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, could consolidate. Jovic, the young promise, could surprise with an outstanding performance.Novak Djokovic in search of his number 25 title.Main male contenders: Sinner, Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic
Sinner and Alcaraz are the clear favorites. Djokovic, despite being 38 years old, is still a threat. Sinner, the defending champion, will seek his third consecutive title. Alcaraz will seek to complete the career Grand Slam and Djokovic, with 10 titles in Australia, will try to break the record for titles.Possible first-time champions: Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev
Shelton could challenge Alcaraz and Sinner. Zverev, finalist in 2025, will seek his first Grand Slam title.Will Coco Gauff be able to win her third Grand Slam title in 2026?
Roland Garros
Date: May 24 – June 7Headquarters: Paris, FranceDefending champions: Gauff and AlcarazMain female contenders: Swiatek, Gauff, Sabalenka
Swiatek, a four-time champion, will seek to regain her dominance on clay. Gauff, after her success in Madrid and Rome, will seek her first consecutive title. Sabalenka will seek revenge after her defeat in the final.Possible first-time champions: Mirra Andreeva, Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen
Andreeva, with a standout performance in 2024, could make the leap. Paolini, finalist at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, remains a force on clay. Zheng, after an injury, will seek her triumphant return.Mirra Andreeva in the Roland Garros 2025 semifinals.Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic
A rematch between Alcaraz and Sinner is expected, with Alcaraz having an advantage on clay. Djokovic will seek his fourth title at Roland Garros.Possible first-time champions: Lorenzo Musetti, Zverev, Holger Rune
Musetti, after an impressive season on clay, could surprise. Zverev, with experience in the tournament, will seek his opportunity. Rune, with good results on clay, could be a contender.Iga Swiatek, surprise winner of Wimbledon this year.
Wimbledon
Date: June 29 – July 12Headquarters: London, United KingdomDefending champions: Swiatek and SinnerTop female contenders: Swiatek, Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina
Swiatek, after her unexpected triumph, will seek to maintain her dominance on grass. Sabalenka will seek her first Wimbledon final. Rybakina, champion in 2022, is always a contender.Possible first-time champions: Anisimova, Andreeva
Anisimova, after an outstanding performance, could be a favorite. Andreeva, with experience in the tournament, could advance further.Taylor Fritz, finalist of the 2024 US Open, could excel on grass.Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic
Alcaraz will seek his third consecutive title. Sinner, after winning the title, will try to defend it. Djokovic will seek to break the record for titles.Possible first-time champions: Taylor Fritz, Jack Draper
Fritz, with experience on grass, could surprise. Draper, the local favorite, will seek to advance in the tournament.Naomi Osaka reached the semi-finals of the 2025 US Open, her best result since returning from maternity leave.
US Open
Date: August 30 – September 13Headquarters: New YorkDefending champions: Sabalenka and AlcarazTop female contenders: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, Osaka
Sabalenka will seek her third consecutive title. Gauff, Swiatek, and Osaka will seek to close the season with a title.Possible first-time champions: Anisimova, Karolina Muchova, Victoria Mboko
Anisimova, after her outstanding performance at Wimbledon and the US Open, could complete her comeback. Muchova, with experience in the tournament, is always a contender. Mboko, after her success at the Canadian Open, could surprise.Top male contenders: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic
Alcaraz and Sinner, after a dominant final, could star in a rematch. Djokovic will seek his fifth title in New York.Possible first-time champions: Shelton, Fritz, Draper, Felix Auger-Aliassime
Shelton, Fritz, Draper, and Auger-Aliassime will seek their first Grand Slam title.
