French Open 2026: Jannik Sinner’s defeat opens up Roland Garros draw as Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev eye advantage

Novak Djokovic, who turned 39 last week, is again in position to chase an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title after reaching at least the semi-finals in each of the last five major tournaments. The third seed remains the only man still in the draw with a proven record of winning Grand Slams, and his experience could be decisive as the tournament progresses.

Djokovic’s challenge is shaped not only by the quality of his opponents but also by the physical demands of playing at his age. He has long been vulnerable in extreme heat, and that concern is expected to be tested in Friday’s day session on Court Philippe Chatrier, where he will face the promising Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca. Forecast temperatures of 34C could make the match a demanding examination of his stamina and recovery.

If Djokovic gets through that opening test, he is likely to feel increasingly confident about his chances of making a deep run. Conditions are expected to become cooler next week, which would suit him far better and could improve his ability to manage long matches and extended rallies. Djokovic has repeatedly shown that, when the conditions are right, he can still perform at the highest level despite the natural effects of aging.

That remains one of the defining themes of his career in recent seasons. He proved as much at this year’s Australian Open, when he defeated Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the final. That defeat once again denied him a first Grand Slam title since the 2023 US Open.

Djokovic’s recent Grand Slam campaigns have repeatedly been blocked by the sport’s two leading young stars. In 2024, Alcaraz or Sinner eliminated him in the semi-finals at the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. Their dominance over Djokovic in those events highlighted both the rising challenge from the next generation and the difficulty of sustaining success deep into the second half of a career.

This year’s draw offers Djokovic a different opportunity. With Alcaraz and Sinner no longer standing in his path, there are few remaining players who have experience beating him in a Grand Slam environment. That makes his route to the later stages more open than in recent majors, even if the physical test, starting with Fonseca in hot conditions, remains significant.

Djokovic’s pursuit of a record-breaking 25th major continues to rest on a familiar mix of resilience, experience and adaptation. If he can manage the heat and navigate the early rounds, his chances of adding to his Grand Slam tally may improve as the tournament moves into more favorable conditions.