The 2026 edition of Roland Garros will get underway next week, and there is one clear front runner on the men’s side: Jannik Sinner.
Sinner has been in extraordinary form on the ATP Tour recently, having won four consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments.
The Italian has not lost a match since his quarterfinal exit at the Qatar Open, with triumphs in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo and Madrid.
Jannik Sinner is now a bigger favorite to win Roland Garros than Rafael Nadal ever was
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While Sinner was already a big favourite heading into Roland Garros, Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal due to injury has seen the world number one’s chances
Now, the 24-year-old, who finished as the runner-up in Paris last year, may have just received another boost.
Alexander Zverev suffers injury and withdraws from Hamburg
With no Alcaraz, only a few players on the ATP Tour pose genuine threats to Sinner at Roland Garros.
One of those stars is Alexander Zverev, who has enjoyed an impressive season in 2026 so far.
The German has made the semifinals at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo before making the final at the Madrid Open, where he fell to Sinner.
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But Zverev has now suffered a back injury and has withdrawn from the upcoming Hamburg Open, as per Sky Sports.
Back injuries in tennis are no joke, and should Zverev be forced to pull out of Roland Garros, Sinner’s path to the title gets even smoother.
Novak Djokovic’s chances of a 25th major also increase
While Sinner’s chances would increase with the omission of Zverev, so would Novak Djokovic’s, with the Serb still in pursuit of a record-extending 25th major.
Djokovic has played just three tournaments this year, but the 38-year-old remains arguably the biggest threat to Sinner.
At the Australian Open, Djokovic dethroned Sinner, triumphing over him in a five set thriller before losing to Alcaraz in the final.
He has since bowed out in the fourth round of Indian Wells and the opening round in Rome.
Djokovic has ruled out an appearance at this year’s Geneva Open, which he won last season before making the semifinals in Paris.
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