The 2025 major season came to an end last week in New York. This is because Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz claimed the US Open Trophy.
It was a memorable season at the slum this year. Four women brought home the titles – Madison Keys (Australia Open), CocoGough (French Open), Igas Swieightuk (Wimbledon), Sabalenka and the American women all reached the finals. On the men’s side, things were easier as Alcaraz (who also won the French Open) and Giannique Sinner (Australian Open and Wimbledon) split the title. The sinner reached the final in all the slams, and he faced Alkaraz with three.
Keys was their only first champion in 2025. Alexander Zverev was a lonely man who had not been named Alkaraz or sinners who reached the major finals.
But while Sabalenka and Alcaraz may still be celebrating the latest hardware in their growing collection, this year remains to see a lot of tennis in the Asian swing and WTA and ATP Finals, it’s time to look ahead until 2026.
It’s a difficult task to predict slams next season, but that doesn’t stop us from trying. Who are the top candidates for each major in 2026?
Australia’s opening
Date: January 18th – February 1st
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Defending Champion: Keys and Sinners
Top female candidates: Sabalenka, Gouf, Swaitek, Naomi Osaka
Sabalenka arrives in Melbourne and is about to regain her trophy, supported by her latest US Open title. Two-time champion in the event, Sabalenka was extremely crowded with the elusive three-peat before losing to the Keys in this year’s final. She wants to win her fifth slam title in one of her favorite surfaces and one of her favorite tournaments.
After a tough four-round defeat in New York, as he struggled to fix the recent serving calamity in New York, Gauff should enter the New Year with those issues behind her after spending dedication with Gavin Macmillan, a biomechanics expert hired to do it. One of the hardest people to beat the hard court when she’s at her best, Gauff reached the 2024 semi-finals and quarter-finals this year in Melbourne.
Swiatek also recalled everyone how good they could be on the surface with a victory this year at Cincinnati and the quarterfinals at the US Open and New York. She is a two-time semifinalist, including 2025, and is about to complete her career grand slam in Australia.
And of course there is Osaka. The four major champions, including two at the Australian Open, made a comeback this summer, appearing in their final run at the Canada Open and in their semi-finals in New York. She’s back to No. 14 in the rankings – her best show since returning from maternity leave in early 2024 – and attempting to bring her comeback down even further.
Best Chances for First Slam Champion: Jessica Pegura, Amanda Anisimoba, Ivajovic
Australia’s three-time open quarter finalist, Pegra arrived at the 2024 US Open Finals and took the semi-finals this year in New York. She beat the top candidate on the surface before – why is the highest stakes in Melbourne?
Anisimova reached the major finals in consecutive Wimbledon, recording an incredibly impressive victory at US Open. She has these experiences under her belt, so the slam title feels more like “when” than “if”.
And while certainly like a long shot, would anyone be totally shocked to see Jovic running deep or running through a table in Australia? The 17-year-old, the 2024 Australian Open Junior Champion, won his first title of his career on Sunday at the 500-level Guadalajara Open. She became the youngest champion on the tour this season and is now in the top 40 in the rankings. In recent years, we have seen unexpected winners.
Top Men’s Candidates: Crime, Alkaraz, Novak Djokovic
Now, before we jump here, we need to state the obvious. The sinner and Alcaraz will become clear favourites of all major things in the future in the near future. The two have paired together to win all the slam titles over the past two seasons, and it’s hard to see them change anytime soon. The 24-time major champion Djokovic, despite being 38, is his next best hope, with a considerable gap between him and the rest of the field. Anyway, for now.
What the 24-year-old sinner and 22-year-old Alkaraz did, and Djokovic, who has reached the semi-finals in all majors this year, may not be a very interesting prediction.
Thinner is Australia’s two-time Open Championship. Can he be the first man to win three consecutive times since Djokovic? of course! He could definitely become a favorite to participate in the tournament, and will likely be.
However, Alcaraz, like Swiatek, is about to complete a career grand slam and win his first Australian open title. He is currently number one in the world and with the US Open and Cincinnati title, he appears to have closed the gap between the sinner and the hard court, almost certainly outperforming his previous best results in the quarterfinals.
Djokovic is Australia’s 10-time champion, who recently won in 2023 and continues his quest to break the record-highest record in most major titles. But even he has admitted the challenge against the new Big 2.
Best chances for first time slam champions: Ben Shelton and Zverev
The 22-year-old Shelton appears to have as good a chance as anyone challenges Alkaraz and sinners in the majors, and he certainly managed to do it on his preferred surface. Currently sixth in the world, he reached the semi-finals this season, winning the Canadian Open in August. Assuming his shoulders are healthy, he had to retire from his third game at the US Open – he may have what he needs to surprise the world.
Zverev reached the 2025 final and is a three-time major finalist. After falling by a sinner in Melbourne last year, he said he doesn’t know if he’ll win the Slam trophy. Since then he has arrived at his Paris quarters, lost in the first round at Wimbledon and sent packing in the third round of the US Open. Perhaps Melbourne can be where he turns it all around.
French Open
Date and Time: May 24th – June 7th
Location: Paris, France
Defending Champion:
Top female candidates: Swiatek, Gauff, Sabalenka
Swiatek is a four-time champion for Roland Garros and was an overwhelming favorite to win the 2025 title before being surprised by Sabalenka in the semi-finals. Despite the stumbling of this year, or even because of it, Swiatek is likely to become a favorite again in Paris, and she decides to return to her “Queen of Clay” status.
But Gauff certainly proves how talented she is on the surface. She reached the finals in both Madrid and Rome, leading to the French Open, looking for her first consecutive major titles.
Sabalenka, who lost in the final, shows that he can revenge a three-set defeat in the championship match and win on a natural surface.
Best Chances for First Slam Champion: Mira Andriva, Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen
18-year-old Andreva reached the 2024 semi-finals in Paris, appearing in the quarter-finals this season (and reached the doubles semi-finals). The champions in two 1000-level tournaments this season are ready for her big breakthrough, and the title feels inevitable. How about this year?
Parini, a finalist at the 2024 French Open (and Wimbledon), did not match her success in 2025, but won the doubles title in Paris and the trophy in the home tournament at Clay in Rome. She remains the dominant force on the surface, both single and double. And Zheng, who claimed 2024 Olympic Gold at Roland Garros, has been on the sidelines since Wimbledon with an elbow injury and subsequent surgery, but is expected to return later this month.
Top Men’s Candidates: Alkaraz, Sinner, Djokovic
Are these again? Those three again. In 2025, two-time defending champion Alcaraz fought for the title against Thinner in the Final Instant Classic, which lasted 5 hours and 29 minutes. Many tennis fans are probably looking for a rematch – and they certainly can get it. Alkaraz has an advantage over clay, but since the sinner only returned from the three-month suspension in May, he will become an even more formidable enemy on its surface in 2026.
Djokovic is Roland Garros’ three-time champion, and his latest title came in 2023. He lost one set on his way to the 2025 semi-finals, then 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (3).
Best Chances for First Slam Champion: Lorenzomsetti, Zverev, Holgaloon
It was an impressive 2025 for the clay Musetti. He reached the semi-finals in Paris for the first time, winning the opening set against Alcaraz before retiring with an injury in the fourth set. He also reached the finals at the 1000 level Monte Carlo Masters event, reaching the semi-finals in both Madrid and Rome. At just 23, it’s hard to believe he will continue to improve in 2026 and will not be even more empowering.
2024 finalist Zverev won a 500-level title in Munich in April, reaching more than the quarterfinals in seven appearances at French Open. It’s one of his best tournaments and if he’s going to win one, it might work very well. The 22-year-old Rune was once thought to be in the same category as Alkaraz and the sinner, but had no equal success. Still, he had some of the most powerful shows in Clay – winning this year’s Barcelona title in the final, winning the finals, and winning two quarter-finals at Roland Garros.
Wimbledon
Date and Time: June 29th – July 12th
Location: London, UK
Defending Champions: Swiatek and Sinner
Top female candidates: Swiatek, Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina
With her usually long clay seasons limited her experience in grass, few people expected Swiatek to wind up the trophy at the All-England Club. But after a slightly early exit at Roland Garros, Swiatek turned her eyesight into the grass – and it paid off. Sweet, who played in three major draws on the surface a few years ago outside of Wimbledon, reached the final in Bad Homburg during the lead-in event and dominated at Wimbledon. She had never made it past the quarter before, but she won the title with incredible performances, including a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Anishimoba in the finals. She confessed that she wasn’t sure she could do it again at Wimbledon after winning, but the way her game came together in Grass, she might be her favorite next year.
Sabalenka, a three-time semi-finalist, was devastated by Anishimoba in the semi-finals, but vowed that she would return stronger. Wimbledon is the only major she hasn’t reached the finals and will do everything she can to change that in 2026.
2022 champion Rivakina has travelled up and down at All England Clubs and elsewhere since her victory. She arrived in the 2024 semi-finals, the 2023 semi-finals, and was upset in the third round of this year. Still, she has always been a face-to-face candidate and knows what it takes to win in a celebratory venue.
Best chances for first slam champions: Anishimova, Andreva
Anishimova held her nerves confidently during the most important points of her tense encounter in her first six matches at the All England Club this year, especially in the 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 semi-finals against Sabalenka. He also reached the final at Queen’s Club in June – her first grass court final – Anishimova shows that she has what she needs on the surface. The final was not exactly the best, but thanks to her elegant speech and attitude after the biased loss, she should become a fan favorite in 2026.
Andreva, who reached the fourth round in her Wimbledon debut in 2023, reached the quarterfinals this year, delivering the best results. She fell in two tiebreaks with Belinda Bensik and missed progress towards the semi-finals, but the increased experience of close moments only helps her get on the road.
Top Men’s Candidates: Alkaraz, Sinner, Djokovic
Alkaraz won the title in 2023 and 2024 – beating Djokovic in both finals – and looked well towards three-peat before Thinner could spoil him in the finals. The sinner who lost the first set came back to win in four sets: 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. He was the only sinner lost at the All England Club this year.
Alcaraz walked away as runner-up, but he still owns a ludicrous 35-4 career record in grass and is a four-time champion, including the 2025 Queens Club event in June. The loss to the sinner marked his first defeat in the ostensible final.
Djokovic is the seven-time Wimbledon champion. He lost to a sinner in the semi-finals this year in straight sets, but it feels like the tournament remains his best chance of breaking the record, but it will be tougher in 2026.
Best Chances for First Slam Champion: Taylor Fritz, Jack Draper
A longtime leader of American men, he often thought up the best hopes to snap the massive drought of 22 years now. Fritz is approaching. He arrived at the 2024 US Open Finals and recorded his first semifinals at All England Club after two quarterfinals this year. Fritz is the five-time Grass champion, including winning the title in Eastbourne (fourth in the event) and Stuttgart. He’s closest to New York’s major titles, but Grass may be his best surface – and he has the experience of backing up it and leaving a perhaps surprising victory or two.
And of course, don’t count the home’s favorite, Draper. There’s nothing the crowd wants to see more. He closed the 2025 season early due to an arm injury, but should return in time for the 2026 start. Although he never made any progress past the second round at Wimbledon, he made the semi-finals at the 2024 US Open and somewhat successful in his final appearance in 2024 in the 2024 semi-finals at Stuttgart and Queens Club.
We are open
Time: August 30th – September 13th
Location: New York
Defending Champions: Sabalenka and Alkaraz
Top female candidates: Sabalenka, Gouf, Swaitek, Osaka
The end of the season is always tricky as players often fight fatigue, motivation and injuries, but top-ranked women should remain their favorites at the last slam of the year.
Sabalenka is currently a two-time defending champion and has won the New York crowd. She is confident and comfortable in the tournament, making sure this 3-peat opportunity doesn’t go without a serious fight.
Gauff, the 2023 champion, will want to prove his exit for this year’s four rounds. Last year it was Flukes. If her serving struggle is behind her, she will have a good chance for everyone to win the title.
Of course, 2022 champion Swiatek and 2018 and 2020 champion Osaka are also looking to end the 2026 season with a trophy. Swiatek has matched her best since winning the quarterfinals this year. It was also clear how meaningful it would make for the 27-year-old Osaka to reach the semi-finals this year. And it’s hard to think that she’s not fueled that run and the feeling.
Best Chances for First Slam Champion: Anima, Citizens Carolina, Victoria
After a run at Wimbledon, Anishimoba followed suit to the final at the US Open. And revenged sweet losses in a quarter of the quarter with 6-4, 6-3 imperative fashion. She then defeated Osaka in the semi-finals in a 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), and 6-3 battle. She couldn’t find the same level against Sabalenka in the 6-3, 7-6(3) finals, but her brave efforts in the second set to force a tiebreak showed her progress and mental fortitude. Winning the 2026 title will complete her ultimate comeback after a break from sports in 2023.
Muchova is a two-time US Open semifinalist and has arrived at the lodging this year. She was the 2023 French Open runner-up and is always in the mix, even if she is hampered by injuries or periods of inactivity. Her versatile games and pure athleticism compete wherever she goes.
Mboko, 19, had a disappointing first round exit at the US Open this year, but her incredible performance at the Canadian Open, where she won the title, has become a name to remember. She started a year ranked outside the top 300 and is now 23rd, only getting better. Expect a Canadian’s breakthrough performance in 2026.
Top Men’s Candidates: Alkaraz, Sinner, Djokovic
Both the 2022 champion Alkaraz and the sinner defending champion dominated their own runs into the final in New York.
Alcaraz and his constantly improving serve did not drop the set, and he lost two service games. He defeated Djokovic 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the semi-finals. The Sinner was pushed twice in four sets, but it didn’t appear to be in trouble. Alexander Babrik, the number 23 seed of the tournament, compared him to the AI after losing 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 in the fourth round.
Alcaraz overwhelmed the sinners for most of the finals, losing one set and one service game, claiming the title.
Djokovic is the four-time winner in New York. It’s hard to predict how he will be fare at this stage next year, or what he will say about his future in the sport, but you’ll imagine him giving everything he has.
Best Chances for First Slam Champion: Shelton, Fritz, Draper, Felix Auger Aria Sim
Shelton was loved by the American crowd for his big game and even greater service and showmanship, reaching the 2023 semi-finals, and many believed that he could fit it this season before his injury. This may be the best chance for anyone other than Big 2 to win a big trophy in 2026, as he has proven how good he is on the hard court and how much he will thrive along with the crowd behind him.
Excluded from his final appearance for two years, Fritz is trying to get it done in places he knows well. Auger Aliasime, a 25-year-old Canadian, lost his first set to the sinner in the semi-finals and fought back after he ended up falling in four sets. Auger Ariasime, the winner of two 2025 titles on the surface, is even more confident in the new season.
