Sinner favourite as Alcaraz exits Roland Garros amid sweltering conditions
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner opens as the clear favourite to win the Coupe des Mousquetaires, while the tournament faces challenges from 31-degree heat and the absence of home hope Arthur Fils.
The French Open commenced in Paris on 24 May 2026 under sweltering conditions, with temperatures reaching 31 degrees Celsius. The tournament begins without defending men’s singles champion Carlos Alcaraz, who is absent due to injury. This marks the first time Alcaraz has missed the event since his victory last year. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is now considered the favourite to win the Coupe des Mousquetaires.
Sinner has not lost to any player other than Novak Djokovic this season. Djokovic ended Sinner’s Australian Open reign in January. However, the Serbian, who turns 39 this week, has played only one match on clay this year and has lost it. Sinner previously suffered from cramps at the Australian Open and appeared ill during a match in Rome earlier in May, raising questions about his resilience in the high heat.
The event features farewell appearances for veterans Gaël Monfils and Stan Wawrinka. Monfils, 39, is retiring at the end of the season and faces Hugo Gaston in the first round. Wawrinka, 41, advanced to the second round without playing after his opponent, Arthur Fils, withdrew from his first-round match due to a hip injury. Fils’ exit deprives France of its best chance of a home player reaching the second week.
A strong contingent of Ukrainian players is competing in the women’s draw, led by Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk. Svitolina won the Italian Open last week, defeating defending champion Coco Gauff, world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, and No. 3 Iga Swiatek. Kostyuk won her first-round match against Oksana Selekhmeteva in straight sets. Selekhmeteva recently acquired Spanish nationality.
Spain’s teenage sensation Rafael Jodar is emerging as a key talent after Fils’ withdrawal. Jodar, ranked 29th, has reached the last eight in Madrid and Rome and the semi-finals in Barcelona this year. Veteran reporter José Morgado noted that the heat is making the clay courts faster, with points rarely exceeding four shots. This shift in court speed could impact the tournament dynamics significantly.
