Roland Garros 2026: Sinner heavy favourite after Alcaraz withdrawal, says Devvarman
Synopsis
With Alcaraz ruled out of back-to-back Grand Slams, Roland Garros 2026 has transformed into what former India No. 1 Somdev Devvarman calls Sinner's tournament to lose — a man who hasn't dropped a single Masters Series match since Paris last year. The real subplot: whether Fonseca, Mensik, or Jodar can seize the moment on the biggest clay stage in tennis.
Key Takeaways
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from both Roland Garros 2026 and Wimbledon due to an ongoing injury.
1 Somdev Devvarman calls Jannik Sinner the 'heavy favourite' and 'the man to beat' in Paris.
Sinner has not lost a single Masters Series match since Roland Garros 2025 , winning Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, and the Sunshine Double.
Devvarman highlights Joao Fonseca , Jakub Mensik , Learner Tien , and Rafael Jodar as young players who could exploit the open draw.
Sinner opened his Roland Garros 2026 campaign against Frenchman Clement Tabur on Monday.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner enters Roland Garros 2026 as the overwhelming favourite after defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to an ongoing injury, according to former Indian tennis player Somdev Devvarman. The Italian's dominance on clay this season has made him, in Devvarman's words, 'the man to beat' in Paris.
Sinner's Staggering Run of Form
Devvarman described Sinner's recent run as 'jaw-dropping', pointing to the Italian's unbeaten streak in Masters Series matches since last year's Paris event. 'Not losing a single Masters Series match since Paris — winning the Sunshine Double, winning Rome, Monte Carlo, Madrid. It's quite incredible,' Devvarman said.
He was quick to note that Sinner's supremacy predated Alcaraz's injury troubles. 'While Alcaraz was present at Indian Wells and Miami, Sinner was still dominating those,' he added, underlining that the world No. 1's form is not merely a product of a weakened field.
Alcaraz Withdrawal Opens the Draw
Alcaraz, who defeated Sinner in a gruelling five-set final at Roland Garros last year, has endured a difficult clay-court season in 2026. His withdrawal from both Roland Garros and Wimbledon represents a significant blow — ruling him out of consecutive Grand Slams and reshaping the ATP Tour's title race.
'Alcaraz missing has kind of opened things up so much,' Devvarman observed. 'He's so dominant right now that it's hard to see anybody who actually has the belief that they can take him. So, he's heavy favourite in terms of the rivalry,' he said of Sinner.
Opportunity for the Next Generation
Devvarman, India's former No. 1, sees Alcaraz's absence as a significant opening for a new wave of talent. He specifically highlighted Rafael Jodar, Learner Tien, Joao Fonseca, and Jakub Mensik as players who could capitalise on the wider draw.
'You kind of wonder if these guys start looking at this as an opportunity for them to make a run,' he said. 'It's just a very interesting place that it leaves us in because Sinner is by far the number one player in the world and the clear favourite for the tournament, but it also opens up so many different opportunities for so many different people,' Devvarman concluded.
Sinner Opens Campaign Against Tabur
The Roland Garros 2026 main draw got underway on Sunday, 25 May, with Sinner beginning his title defence against Frenchman Clement Tabur on Monday. All eyes will be on whether the Italian can convert his dominant form into a maiden French Open title, a feat that has so far eluded him at Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Point of View
Mensik, and Tien have the talent; the question is whether they have the nerve. If none of them makes a deep run here, the 'golden generation' narrative risks looking premature.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Carlos Alcaraz not playing at Roland Garros 2026?
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from Roland Garros 2026 due to an ongoing injury that has hampered his clay-court season. The withdrawal also rules him out of Wimbledon, meaning he will miss two consecutive Grand Slams.
Why is Jannik Sinner considered the favourite at Roland Garros 2026?
Jannik Sinner enters Roland Garros 2026 as world No. 1 and has not lost a single Masters Series match since last year's Paris event, winning Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, and the Sunshine Double. Former India No. 1 Somdev Devvarman describes him as 'the man to beat' and the 'heavy favourite'.
Who are the young players to watch at Roland Garros 2026?
Somdev Devvarman has flagged Joao Fonseca, Jakub Mensik, Learner Tien, and Rafael Jodar as rising stars who could capitalise on Alcaraz's absence. He believes the open draw gives them a genuine opportunity to make a deep run at a Grand Slam for the first time.
Who does Jannik Sinner play first at Roland Garros 2026?
Sinner opened his Roland Garros 2026 campaign against Frenchman Clement Tabur on Monday, with the main draw having begun on Sunday, 25 May.
What did Somdev Devvarman say about Sinner's dominance?
Devvarman said Sinner's run has been 'jaw-dropping', noting that he was dominating tournaments like Indian Wells and Miami even when Alcaraz was healthy and competing. He added it is 'hard to see anybody who actually has the belief that they can take him'.
