As another tennis season looms, it’s time to predict the sport’s biggest titles. Three players (Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Iga Świątek) sit one major away from completing their career grand slams. Of course, over the length of a season there will be many shocks and injuries, but in a sport like tennis, especially at grand slam level one thing has always been clear- the separation between the good and the great is plain to see. Here’s my early thoughts on how the slams will pan out in 2026.
Australian Open
Men’s: Jannik Sinner- Initially, I said Carlos Alcaraz would take the title down under and become the youngest man ever to win the career slam. However, I think the AO is going to come too soon for him after splitting with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. At the moment, he’s yet to replace Ferrero and it’s tough to see a new coach helping him dethrone Sinner down under so soon.
Women’s: Aryna Sabalenka- Sabalenka not winning the 2025 Australian Open was a real shock last time out. It’s really hard to look past her as the best female tennis player in the world, especially on hardcourt and I think she will win that title back in Melbourne.
Roland Garros
Men’s: Jannik Sinner- The Italian missed out in spectacular fashion in last year’s final but had only just returned from suspension so it’s likely he will benefit from a full clay season in the run up to the French Open and complete his career slam. Within the last two French Opens, he’s lost out to Alcaraz in five-setters in the semi-finals and final but I think he goes better this time round.
Women’s: Iga Świątek- The four time French Open champion missed out last year, falling at the semi-final stage, having a fairly poor clay season in general. All things considered though, she’s won four of the last six Roland Garros titles, so if she arrives in Paris after a better clay season, it will be hard to look past her.
Wimbledon
Men’s: Carlos Alcaraz- The current world #1 lost in the final last year, missing out in a Wimbledon three-peat whilst Sinner captured his first title. However, I think the Spaniard will take the title back on Centre Court this time around. His pace and athleticism is really suited to grass courts as well as having an extremely strong serve which I think will see him take home many more Wimbledon titles in his rivalry with Sinner.
Women’s: Amanda Anisimova- Women’s Wimbledon always seems to have a differential for a winner. It hasn’t been defended since 2016 nor has anyone in the top five won it since 2021 (granted, Anismimova is currently #4). It would be extremely fitting if she was next year’s differential after losing the 2025 final 6-0, 6-0 to Świątek. She’s also come off an extremely strong 2025 season, also making the US Open final and winning multiple WTA 1000 titles.
US Open
Men’s: Ben Shelton- Another slam which often provides a variety of winners. No man has successfully defended his title in New York since Roger Federer did it for the fifth consecutive time in 2008. Also, Alcaraz and Sinner can’t win everything forever. Federer and Nadal won 11 consecutive slams at their peak and if these predictions remain accurate, the current top two will match that record. I’m not saying Shelton will go on to be the Djokovic to their Federer and Nadal, but he’s still young, playing at his home slam and arguably, has the best serve on tour whilst still proving he can compete with the best- which we saw in his 2025 season.
Women’s: Aryna Sabalenka- Like I mentioned for the Australian Open prediction, it’s hard to look past the best player in the world on a surface she’s been so dominant on lately. Sabalenka needs to start picking up majors on other surfaces to be remembered as one of the greats as it feels like her winning on hardcourt is more of an expectation at the moment. She has won the last two US Opens and winning two Australians on the bounce before losing the final in her third.
