PARIS — The men’s draw at Roland Garros looks considerably different from what it did at the start of the week.
When Carlos Alcaraz withdrew before the tournament due to injury, Jannik Sinner became the clear favorite to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires. The world No. 1 had been the most consistent player on tour throughout the season and appeared to have a favorable path through the draw.
Few could have imagined he would be out before the third round.
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Sinner’s stunning loss to Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo sent shockwaves through Roland Garros and immediately changed the outlook of the tournament. Less than two days later, Novak Djokovic joined him on the sidelines after falling in five sets to Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca.
With the tournament not yet at the halfway point, two of the sport’s biggest stars are gone, and suddenly, a host of players have reason to believe this could be their opportunity.
Alexander Zverev is among those who stand to benefit the most.
The German has established himself as one of the premier clay-court players of his generation, reaching multiple deep runs in Paris, including last year’s final. Despite his success, Grand Slam titles have remained elusive, often because he has run into players such as Djokovic, Alcaraz, or Sinner in the latter stages of major tournaments.
This year, the path has become considerably more manageable.
Casper Ruud finds himself in a similar position. A two-time finalist at Roland Garros, the Norwegian has consistently produced some of his best tennis on clay and enters the second week with a realistic chance of making another run.
The opportunities do not end there.
Fonseca’s victory over Djokovic was the type of result that can change a player’s career trajectory. Long regarded as one of the sport’s brightest young talents, the Brazilian now finds himself in a section of the draw that has suddenly opened up.
Elsewhere, Felix Auger-Aliassime and several other contenders remain alive in a tournament that no longer has an overwhelming favorite.
That is perhaps the biggest takeaway from the first week in Paris.
At the start of the tournament, much of the attention centered on Sinner’s chances of capturing another major title. Now, with Sinner out and Djokovic no longer standing in the way, the conversation has shifted entirely.
For the remaining players, Roland Garros has become a tournament of opportunity.
The second week will still feature difficult matches and dangerous opponents, but for the first time in years, the men’s draw feels genuinely unpredictable. As the tournament moves toward the quarterfinals, several players who may have entered Paris hoping for a deep run now have a legitimate chance to leave with the biggest title of their careers.
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