French Open 2026: How seismic shocks, compelling drama and fairytale stories ensured Roland Garros classic

Jannik Sinner’s early exit may have been bad news for him, but it proved to be extremely good for the men’s singles competition.

Generational rivals Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz had won the previous nine Grand Slams between them. With Alcaraz missing with a wrist injury, top seed Sinner was the heaviest favourite since 14-time champion Rafael Nadal to lift the title.

Ironically, Sinner found himself on the receiving end of the biggest Paris shock since Nadal lost to Robin Soderling in 2009.

The Italian struggled physically in the second round and Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo took advantage to blow the draw wide open.

When 39-year-old Novak Djokovic was beaten in the third round, a new Grand Slam champion was guaranteed.

A host of seeded players falling early and plenty of five-set matches were signs of the tension players felt as they realised a golden opportunity had presented itself.

Eventually Germany’s Alexander Zverev – after another fittingly stressful final – came through to secure his place among the game’s greats.