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Alcaraz Withdraws; Sinner, Djokovic Begin French Open

5/22/2026

31 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Alcaraz Withdraws From French

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew with a wrist injury, leaving the men’s field without the champion.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner opens his French Open campaign against French wildcard Clement Tabur.
Novak Djokovic is placed in the opposite half and will face Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in round one.
In the women’s draw, No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka meets Jessica Bouzas Maneiro while defending champion Coco Gauff faces Taylor Townsend.

Summary

Sinner Carries Streak

Jannik Sinner arrives on a 29-match winning streak, the fifth-longest since 1990, after winning Monte-Carlo, Madrid and Rome.
Alex de Minaur heads to Paris after dropping four of his last six matches since Monte-Carlo, needing a second slump reversal in eight.
Novak Djokovic must first beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and could meet Casper Ruud in the fourth round.

Summary

French Open Schedule

The French Open will hold first-round singles matches from May 24-26, with wheelchair competition starting June 2.
Doubles events begin on May 26.
Second-round singles follow on May 27-28, third-round matches on May 29-30, fourth round on May 31-June 1, and quarter-finals on June 2-3.
Women's and men's semifinals occur on June 4 and June 5, respectively.
The tournament ends with the women's final on June 6 and the men's final on June 7.

History

Historical Context

Nadal's dominance began with his debut win in 2005 and by 2008 he matched Björn Borg's four-year streak, eventually amassing a record 14 French Open crowns. That clay-court legacy set the stage for the 2024 tournament, where defending champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew and Jannik Sinner arrived on a 29-match winning streak, echoing past shifts in the event’s power balance.

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Alcaraz Withdraws From French

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew with a wrist injury, leaving the men’s field without the champion.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner opens his French Open campaign against French wildcard Clement Tabur.
Novak Djokovic is placed in the opposite half and will face Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in round one.
In the women’s draw, No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka meets Jessica Bouzas Maneiro while defending champion Coco Gauff faces Taylor Townsend.

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