Djokovic avoids Sinner's semifinal bracket but faces a challenging path in second seed Alexander Zverev's quarter.

In the first round, the Serbian player will meet 22-year-old home hopeful Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Djokovic's opponent is nearly 2 meters tall, possesses one of the ATP Tour's strongest serves, and plays with significant power.

Djokovic (right) congratulates Sinner after their Roland Garros 2025 semifinal on Philippe Chatrier court, Paris, France, on the evening of 6/6 last year. *Reuters*

If he overcomes Mpetshi Perricard, Djokovic could face a less challenging opponent in the second round before a significant test in the third. Here, he might encounter 28th seed Joao Fonseca or Dino Prizmic, who defeated him in the second round of the Rome Masters this month. *Reuters* considers Fonseca a major obstacle in Djokovic's bracket during the first week.

In the fourth round, Djokovic might face Casper Ruud, a two-time Roland Garros finalist known for his consistent clay-court play. Sharing a quarterfinal bracket with eighth seed Alex De Minaur, Djokovic will likely avoid extremely formidable opponents. However, physical pressure will mount as he consistently faces powerful, enduring players. This poses a challenge for Djokovic at 39, especially after a period plagued by injury.

Djokovic has participated in only two tournaments since the 2026 Australian Open, where he defeated Sinner in a thrilling five-set semifinal before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

Having become the second player in history, and the youngest, to win all Masters 1000 titles after Djokovic, Sinner now aims to complete his Grand Slam collection. The top seed will begin his Roland Garros campaign against French wildcard Clement Tabur.

Sinner enters the tournament as the current dominant force in men's tennis and the top contender at Roland Garros, given defending champion Alcaraz's absence due to injury. In the first week, he might face a challenge from Spanish talent Martin Landaluce in the third round, before likely encountering fifth seed Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals, and Felix Auger-Aliassime or Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals.

In contrast to the men's singles, which features a clear favorite, the women's singles sees many strong players competing intensely at Roland Garros. Fourth seed Coco Gauff will begin her title defense against fellow American Taylor Townsend.

Last season's runner-up Aryna Sabalenka has performed below expectations this clay-court season but remains a top contender. The top seed will face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in her opening match. Fifth seed Jessica Pegula and ninth seed Victoria Mboko are also in the upper half of the draw.

The lower half of the draw features Italy Open champion Elina Svitolina, who could meet third seed Iga Swiatek. Swiatek hopes her new coach, Francisco Roig, will help her claim a fifth Roland Garros title. Swiatek will likely face 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko in the third round. Notably, Ostapenko holds a perfect six-match winning record against Swiatek.

Second seed Elena Rybakina aims for her second consecutive Grand Slam title after her championship win in Melbourne earlier this year. According to the draw, she might face eighth seed Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals.

By Vy Anh