No Alcaraz, no party? Five reasons not to miss this year’s French Open
Key takeaways
- There will be no repeat of last year’s epic, see-sawing final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the French Open this year, with the Spanish title holder nursing an injury.
- Issued on: 24/05/2026 - 17:49Modified: 24/05/2026 - 18:05
- By: Benjamin DODMAN Players and fans faced searing heat on the opening day of the French Open.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
There will be no repeat of last year’s epic, see-sawing final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the French Open this year, with the Spanish title holder nursing an injury. But there is still plenty to look forward to on the Paris clay, from a Ukrainian duo aiming for the women’s title to the last dances of Gaël Monfils and Stan Wawrinka.
Issued on: 24/05/2026 - 17:49Modified: 24/05/2026 - 18:05
By: Benjamin DODMAN Players and fans faced searing heat on the opening day of the French Open. © Stéphane Mahé, Reuters The French Open kicked off Sunday in sizzling temperatures and without injured defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, leaving many fans to wonder what – if anything – could stop Italy’s Jannik Sinner from lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires this year.