Jannik Sinner is the clear favourite to win the 2026 French Open.
The world number one began his Roland Garros campaign on Tuesday evening, dispatching Clement Tabur in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.
With big names such as Daniil Medvedev falling in the first round, Sinner’s path to the title looks clearer than ever.
Which player is most likely to stop Jannik Sinner from winning the French Open? 🤔
Can anyone stop him? Tennis legend John McEnroe has now named the player he believes is most likely to beat Sinner at Roland Garros.
John McEnroe names Novak Djokovic as the man most likely to stop Jannik Sinner at the French Open
During TNT Sports’ French Open coverage, McEnroe made his pick.
“The person on the other side of the court on a hot day like we are going to have this first week, when he has got to play during the day. That would be the person I would pick,” said McEnroe.
“It’s hard to look at anyone here.
“[Novak] Djokovic would be to me, I would still pick him because he beat him at the Australian.
Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic’s head-to-head record (6-5)
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 Australian Open – SF | Novak Djokovic | Jannik Sinner | 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2025 Wimbledon – SF | Jannik Sinner | Novak Djokovic | 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2025 French Open – SF | Jannik Sinner | Novak Djokovic | 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 |
| 2024 Shanghai Masters – F | Jannik Sinner | Novak Djokovic | 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2024 Australian Open – SF | Jannik Sinner | Novak Djokovic | 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 |
| 2023 Davis Cup – SF | Jannik Sinner | Novak Djokovic | 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 |
| 2023 ATP Finals – F | Novak Djokovic | Jannik Sinner | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2024 ATP Finals – RR | Jannik Sinner | Novak Djokovic | 7-5, 6-7, 7-6 |
| 2023 Wimbledon – SF | Novak Djokovic | Jannik Sinner | 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2022 Wimbledon – QF | Novak Djokovic | Jannik Sinner | 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 |
| 2021 Monte Carlo Masters – 2R | Novak Djokovic | Jannik Sinner | 6-4, 6-2 |
“I’m sorry, he is 39, and he knows more than anyone who is in the finals, and that is a long way away.”
Djokovic stunned Sinner at the previous Grand Slam, beating the Italian in five sets to reach the Australian Open final.
Many doubt his ability to repeat the feat on the Parisian clay, but if not Djokovic, then who?
“If Ben Shelton can get to a quarter in hot conditions and serve him off the court…” said McEnroe.
“He’s not going to beat him from the baseline!”
Shelton beat Sinner in their first career meeting at the 2023 Shanghai Masters, but has since lost nine consecutive matches.
Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton’s head-to-head record (9-1)
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 Australian Open – QF | Jannik Sinner | Ben Shelton | 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2025 ATP Finals – RR | Jannik Sinner | Ben Shelton | 6-3, 7-6 |
| 2025 Paris Masters – QF | Jannik Sinner | Ben Shelton | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2025 Wimbledon – QF | Jannik Sinner | Ben Shelton | 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2025 Australian Open – SF | Jannik Sinner | Ben Shelton | 7-6, 6-2, 6-2 |
| 2024 Shanghai Masters – 4R | Jannik Sinner | Ben Shelton | 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2024 Wimbledon – 4R | Jannik Sinner | Ben Shelton | 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2024 Indian Wells – 4R | Jannik Sinner | Ben Shelton | 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2023 Vienna Open – 1R | Jannik Sinner | Ben Shelton | 7-6, 7-5 |
| 2023 Shanghai Masters – 4R | Ben Shelton | Jannik Sinner | 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 |
Djokovic and Shelton both advanced to the second round of Roland Garros without too much trouble, defeating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Daniel Merida respectively.
The Serb could meet Sinner in the final, while Shelton could play the Italian in the quarter-finals.
Jannik Sinner avoids scorching conditions in Paris
Heading into the French Open, there only really looked like one obstacle standing between Sinner and the title: The weather.
Sinner has struggled in the heat before, and the weather this week in Paris has taken its toll on some of the fittest players on tour.
Struggling through his opener, Casper Ruud said he felt like a ‘zombie’ during his five-set win over Roman Safiullin.
Luckily for Sinner, he avoided the worst of it, having been scheduled to play in the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The temperature will remain high for the first week of the French Open, before cooling down as we approach the latter stages of the competition.
Sinner and his team will surely be pushing for another night session slot when he returns to play Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round on Thursday, May 28.
