French Open 2026: Jannik Sinner’s defeat reshapes Roland Garros draw as Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev eye opportunity

Novak Djokovic has turned 39 and remains in contention for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title after reaching at least the semifinals in each of the past five majors. As the third seed, he is the only man still in the draw who knows what it takes to win a major, and his experience could again prove decisive as the tournament progresses.

Djokovic’s age brings obvious physical challenges, and he has often struggled in extreme heat throughout his career. That concern will be tested in his Friday day-session match on Court Philippe-Chatrier against Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca, with temperatures expected to climb to 34C. The match could serve as an important early indicator of how far Djokovic can go in the tournament.

If he gets through that challenge, Djokovic may believe he has a real chance to build momentum and make a deep run. Cooler temperatures forecast for next week could also work in his favor, giving him better conditions to manage the demands of a long Grand Slam campaign.

When the conditions suit him, Djokovic has continued to defy the effects of age. That was evident earlier this year at the Australian Open, where he beat Jannik Sinner in the semifinals before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the final. That defeat left him still searching for his first Grand Slam title since the 2023 US Open.

Djokovic’s recent major record has also been shaped by the dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner. Last year, one of the two rising stars eliminated him in the semifinals at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Their exits from the current draw have opened the door slightly wider for Djokovic, removing two of the few players with recent Grand Slam success against him.

With several of his most dangerous recent rivals no longer in the way, Djokovic now faces a draw in which relatively few players have the pedigree or experience to beat him on the biggest stage. That does not remove the physical questions surrounding his age and the conditions, but it does improve his path. As long as he can manage the heat and keep his body fresh, Djokovic remains a serious contender to add another major title to his already historic career.