Jannik Sinner Emerges as French Open Favorite Amid Alcaraz's Injury

As Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from the French Open due to a wrist injury, Jannik Sinner is positioned as the frontrunner for the title. Sania Mirza discusses Djokovic's potential as a dark horse and predicts a new champion in the women's event, possibly Mirra Andreeva. With the tournament heating up, fans are eager to see how these dynamics unfold.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 23, 2026, 13:14 IST

Sinner's Dominance and Alcaraz's Absence

Last year, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz claimed victory in all four Grand Slam tournaments, with Alcaraz continuing his success by winning the Australian Open in 2026. However, due to a wrist injury, Alcaraz will miss the French Open, positioning Sinner as the leading contender for the title. The Italian player has been in exceptional form, having recently triumphed in both Madrid and Rome. With Alcaraz sidelined, the question arises: who can challenge Sinner's dominance?

Indian tennis icon Sania Mirza believes that veteran player Novak Djokovic could pose a threat. She noted that Djokovic has consistently defied expectations throughout his career, even at this advanced stage. Although he has yet to secure a victory on clay this season, his focus has shifted away from ATP events, aiming instead to perform at his best during Grand Slams. At the Australian Open 2026, Djokovic ended his losing streak against Sinner by defeating him in the semifinals. While Sinner's prowess on clay and Djokovic's fitness issues may lower his chances at the French Open, Mirza still considers him a formidable opponent.

“He rarely loses to others unless he’s injured. It’s remarkable that he remains in the top three at nearly 39 years old,” Sania remarked. “Djokovic has consistently proven that he can defy the odds, making him a dark horse in this tournament, especially since he hasn’t won a Grand Slam in the past couple of years. I believe he has a chance,” she added. Nevertheless, Mirza emphasized that Sinner is the clear favorite for the French Open. “In the men’s draw, it’s straightforward. Jannik Sinner is in phenomenal form, and with Alcaraz out, he stands out as the top contender,” she stated.

'A New Champion in Women's Tennis?' Sania's Predictions

Turning to the women’s tournament, Sania anticipates the possibility of an upset. The six-time Grand Slam champion expressed her belief that the winner will likely not be Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina, instead highlighting the rising star Mirra Andreeva, while also acknowledging the chances of four-time champion Iga Swiatek.

“The women’s event is quite intriguing. Typically, Iga Swiatek dominates the clay season, but she has had a relatively quiet start this year. Sabalenka hasn’t been in peak form either. It’s genuinely wide open. My intuition tells me we might see a new clay-court champion, possibly someone like Mirra Andreeva, who has been on the verge of a breakthrough for some time,” she concluded.