Tennis Weekly — May 29, 2026

Tournament Recap

The 2026 French Open has become one of tennis's most shocking tournaments in recent memory. Jannik Sinner, defending champion, was eliminated by Juan Manuel Cerúndolo after three hours and 36 minutes in a stunning second-round upset. Cerúndolo's victory marked the first time he reached the third round of a Grand Slam.

Even more remarkably, Novak Djokovic's bid for a 25th Grand Slam title ended when he lost to Joao Fonseca in a dramatic five-set match. The back-to-back eliminations of Sinner and Djokovic mean that for the first time since 2023, neither the defending champion nor a recent dominant player will win a major.

British players competing at Roland-Garros 2026 are being tracked by the LTA as the tournament progresses through its second week.

Player Spotlight

Zheng Qinwen's Tough Return: Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen has faced a difficult road to recovery. After undergoing right elbow surgery in July 2025 and missing five months, she returned to competition in February 2026. However, her comeback has been slow—she has won only seven matches in 2026, managing to produce her best tennis only in patches. The ongoing injury restrictions have hampered what should have been a peak year for the Chinese star.

Alcaraz's Absence Reshapes the Draw: Carlos Alcaraz, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, has withdrawn from both the French Open and Wimbledon 2026 due to a persistent wrist injury. His absence removes one of the sport's biggest attractions and significantly alters the competitive landscape for the remainder of the season.

Coming Up

With both Sinner and Alcaraz sidelined by injury or elimination, the remainder of the French Open will crown an unprecedented first-time men's singles Grand Slam champion. The women's draw continues, with multiple storylines developing as players vie for the title.

Wimbledon 2026 looms next, where Alcaraz's continued absence due to injury will further reshape tournament seedings and draw attention to emerging challengers across both men's and women's competitions.