Story perspectives

Alcaraz Withdraws; Sinner Favored, Djokovic Marks 82nd Grand Slam

5/26/2026

Summary

Alcaraz Withdraws French

Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the 2026 French Open with a right-wrist injury, leaving the event without its two-time defending champion.
Jannik Sinner entered on a 29-match winning streak and is the men’s favorite.
Novak Djokovic made a historic 82nd Grand Slam main-draw appearance, beating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard after losing the first set.
Alexander Zverev avoided Sinner until the final by beating Benjamin Bonzi in straight sets.

Summary

Djokovic Opening Win

Novak Djokovic's first-round win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard lifted his Grand Slam opening-match record to 80-2.
He entered Paris with limited clay preparation after a recent right-shoulder injury.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, ranked No. 80, hit 82% of first-serve points and 38 winners in the first half.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard later struggled with a right-wrist injury, which Annabel Croft said made the match especially tough for Novak Djokovic.

History

Historical Context

In 2009 Roger Federer captured his first French Open title, defeating Robin Söderling to complete a career Grand Slam and claim a record 15th major, surpassing Pete Sampras’s 14. His victory demonstrated that veteran champions could still prevail on clay, a precedent that later influenced expectations for aging elites in Grand Slam competition.

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Alcaraz Withdraws French

Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the 2026 French Open with a right-wrist injury, leaving the event without its two-time defending champion.
Jannik Sinner entered on a 29-match winning streak and is the men’s favorite.
Novak Djokovic made a historic 82nd Grand Slam main-draw appearance, beating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard after losing the first set.
Alexander Zverev avoided Sinner until the final by beating Benjamin Bonzi in straight sets.

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