Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka are the only two former champions in the 2026 French Open men’s singles field.
The Serb is more likely to win another Roland Garros title than Wawrinka, but just how good are his chances?
Many believe Djokovic to be the third-favourite, behind Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev.
Which player is most likely to stop Jannik Sinner from winning the French Open? 🤔
Former American tennis stars Sam Querrey and John Isner disagree.
John Isner is surprised that Novak Djokovic is the third-favourite to win Roland Garros even though it’s ‘crazy’ to say
During the latest episode of ‘Nothing Major‘, Querrey asked the following question.
“Are you a little surprised that Novak [Djokovic] is still the third favourite? I’m actually a little surprised that he’s the third-favourite,” he said.
“I thought Casper [Ruud] maybe would have jumped him, or maybe even a [Luciano] Darderi!”
Querrey and Isner’s co-host, Steve Johnson, was quick to interject.
“Of course… Both those guys made the semis and finals last week, continue…” he said.
“But it’s not like Novak made a quarter and looked good!” Querrey replied.
“Yeah, but he’s made 47 straight semis of Slams!” said Johnson.
Isner then delivered his verdict on Djokovic’s chances at Roland Garros.
“I’m with Sam there,” he said.
“This one feels different.
“He’s not played any matches, he’s not played on clay. This one feels different, clay is not his best surface.
Novak Djokovic’s 2026 clay-court record (0-1)
- Italian Open 2R – Dino Prizmic defeated Novak Djokovic, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
“I am surprised that Djokovic is the third favourite, it’s crazy to say that, obviously, they are words you never thought that anyone would utter.
“I would put like [Arthur] Fils a little bit ahead of him.
“Just the sheer lack of matches, it’s hard to overcome that at 39.”
Johnson, on the other hand, wasn’t prepared to bet against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
“His long resume of doing it for the last 20 years, he’s never skipped a beat,” he said.
“Until he shows us that he’s not going to do that, I’m still going to continue to assume that he’s the third-best, maybe the second-best player in the world right now.
“Especially at Slams where he has the pedigree, the success. He’s won 24 of these things.
“I agree with John, having Fils and these guys having better odds, I would agree with that at every tournament except the French.
“Just because it’s three out of five and they haven’t done it. Fils hasn’t shown that he can beat Sinner in two out of three. I want him to show that. I would like him to be that guy, but until they prove that once or twice, you still have to go with Novak as the third favourite.
“Until somebody does it and Novak proves that he can’t do it, I’m not going to bet against him.
“If he loses first round, I will have a completely different opinion going into Wimby, but he didn’t play before Australia, didn’t play before any of the tournaments last year, still finds a way to make the semis.”
Djokovic played a reduced schedule in 2026, but still reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams.
Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam performance timeline (since 2020)
| Grand Slam | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Australian Open | W | W | – | W | SF | SF | F |
| French Open | F | W | QF | W | QF | SF | – |
| Wimbledon | – | W | W | F | F | SF | – |
| US Open | 4R | F | – | W | 3R | SF | – |
And without playing a warm-up tournament this January, Djokovic reached the Australian Open final.
Isner and Querrey were right to point out the importance of building fitness before Grand Slams, although if there’s anyone the rules don’t apply to, it’s Djokovic.
The Serb has enjoyed success when logic dictated he shouldn’t on many occasions, so why should this year’s French Open be any different?
How did Novak Djokovic win his last French Open title?
Djokovic last emerged victorious in Paris three years ago.
In 2023, Djokovic played three events before Roland Garros, the Monte Carlo Masters, the Srpska Open, and the Italian Open.
He failed to reach the semi-finals of all three events, but that didn’t affect his confidence.
Djokovic immediately found form on the Parisian clay, clinching his third French Open title.
Novak Djokovic at the 2023 French Open
- 1R [WIN] vs Aleksandar Kovacevic, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6
- 2R [WIN] vs Marton Fucsovics, 7-6, 6-0, 6-3
- 3R [WIN] vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2
- 4R [WIN] vs Juan Pablo Varillas, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
- QF [WIN] vs Karen Khachanov, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4
- SF [WIN] vs Carlos Alcaraz, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
- F [WIN] vs Casper Ruud, 7-6, 6-3, 7-5
Looking for his fourth title, Djokovic will begin his 22nd French Open campaign on Sunday, May 24, when he takes on the home favourite, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
