The 2026 Roland Garros tennis tournament is upon us, and with it, the anticipation of new champions and the lingering shadows of past near-misses. This year, several players carry the weight of unfinished business, having come tantalizingly close to conquering the French capital in previous years. Among them, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas stand out, each with their own unique story of near-victory and the potential to turn the tide this time around.
Sinner, the Italian sensation, comes into the tournament with a remarkable record. Last year, he pushed Carlos Alcaraz to the brink, leading two sets to love and holding triple match point in the fourth set. His defeat in five sets was a heart-wrenching end to a match that could have gone either way. This year, with Alcaraz's withdrawal due to injury, Sinner may just have the perfect opportunity to exorcise those demons and claim his first Roland Garros title. The question remains: can he handle the pressure and deliver when it matters most?
Sabalenka, the world No. 1, also had a memorable run last year. She snapped Iga Swiatek's 26-match winning streak in the semifinals, only to lose a thrilling final to Coco Gauff. The 70 unforced errors in the final match were a stark reminder of the fine line between victory and defeat. This year, with the motivation of a near-miss, Sabalenka could be the one to finally conquer the French Open, especially if she can cut down on those errors and maintain her hard-court dominance.
Zverev, the German powerhouse, has been consistently close but yet to break through. He reached the final two years ago, leading Alcaraz two sets to one, only to lose in five sets. With a chance to reach another final this year, Zverev will be eager to overcome his nine-match losing streak against Sinner. The question is: can he rise above his past disappointments and claim the title that has eluded him?
Ruud, the Norwegian sensation, has had a remarkable run at Roland Garros, reaching two finals and a semifinal. He lost both finals to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, with the latter match being a heartbreaker. This year, with the motivation of avenging those final losses, Ruud could be the dark horse of the tournament, especially if he can maintain his form and confidence.
Tsitsipas, the Greek star, has had a dip in results recently, but his past performances at Roland Garros cannot be overlooked. He reached the final in 2021, leading Djokovic two sets to one, only to lose in five sets. With a chance to find his mojo again, Tsitsipas could be a force to be reckoned with, especially if he can tap into his past successes and the unique atmosphere of the French Open.
In the women's draw, Karolina Muchova and Amanda Anisimova also have unfinished business at Roland Garros. Muchova, who returned to the Top 10 this week, stunned Sabalenka from match point down in the semifinals in 2023, only to lose to Swiatek in the final. Anisimova, on the other hand, reached her first two Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, but her breakthrough came in Paris in 2019, where she led Ashleigh Barty by a set and 3-0 before falling in three sets. The question remains: can they turn their near-misses into victories this year?
The 2026 Roland Garros promises to be a tournament of contrasts, where the weight of past disappointments meets the potential for new triumphs. As the players step onto the court, the question on everyone's mind is: who will rise above the shadows of unfinished business and claim the coveted Coupe des Mousquetaires?
Personally, I think that Sinner, Sabalenka, and Ruud have the best chances of turning their near-misses into victories. Sinner's relentless pursuit of Alcaraz, Sabalenka's hard-court dominance, and Ruud's consistency at Roland Garros make them the favorites. However, Zverev and Tsitsipas should not be underestimated, as they have the talent and the determination to overcome their past disappointments. The women's draw, on the other hand, is wide open, with Muchova and Anisimova having the potential to make a surprising run. What makes this tournament particularly fascinating is the mix of established stars and rising talents, each with their own unique story of near-victory and the potential to write a new chapter in tennis history.
