Former world No. 1 Boris Becker has named Alexander Zverev as his top favourite to win a first major title at the 2026 Roland Garros, according to a report from Tennisuptodate.com. Becker's assessment follows the surprise exit of top contender Jannik Sinner, which has significantly opened up the men's singles draw in Paris.
Who does Becker favour to win the title?
Boris Becker believes his fellow German, Alexander Zverev, is the leading candidate to win the French Open. As the No. 2 seed, Zverev is now the highest-ranked player remaining in the tournament. Becker expressed strong confidence in Zverev's chances over the rest of the field, including 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
What created the opportunity in the draw?
The men's draw was altered after the unexpected departure of Jannik Sinner on the fifth day of the tournament. Sinner's 30-match winning streak came to an end against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, as reported by Tennisuptodate.com. With other high-profile players like Daniil Medvedev and Ben Shelton also out, the top half of the draw is guaranteed to produce a surprise finalist.
What about Novak Djokovic's chances?
Novak Djokovic remains a threat in the bottom half of the draw, but Becker dismissed him as the main favourite when compared to Zverev. If both players advance, they are projected to face each other in a semi-final match. This would mean only one of the two top contenders could reach the championship match. Other players noted as threats in their half of the draw include Casper Ruud and Alex de Minaur.
The results at Roland Garros will have significant implications for the ATP Tour rankings, especially with several top seeds exiting early. For Canadian tennis fans, a shakeup at the top of the men's game can alter the seeding landscape for upcoming tournaments, including the National Bank Open in Toronto and Montréal.
Sources
Reported from public sources.