The 2026 French Open Men’s First Round: A Showcase of Excitement and Drama

The men’s draw for the 2026 French Open has been released, and while the later rounds are expected to deliver high-stakes encounters among the top players, the first round already promises some thrilling matchups. With Carlos Alcaraz sidelined due to a wrist injury, the spotlight is on Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, and a deep field of contenders. The slow, grinding nature of clay courts often leads to long, intense matches right from the start, and even potential upsets are possible.

Here are five of the most compelling first-round matches that fans won’t want to miss:

Novak Djokovic vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard

At almost 39 years old, Novak Djokovic, a three-time French Open champion, is chasing a record-extending 25th major title. He opens against the massive-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Djokovic has played just one match on clay this season, and with such limited preparation, he might have to deal with some rust early on.

Even on clay, the tall Frenchman’s serve can generate free points, and it should be a great battle of his serve against arguably the greatest returner of all time. Djokovic has been handed a very tough draw, so he will not be looking to spend much time and energy in the first round. But will he wrap this up in straight sets, or can Mpetshi Perricard make this interesting? This match will most likely be played on a packed Court Philipe-Chatrier, where the French support will create an electrifying atmosphere.

Alexander Zverev vs Benjamin Bonzi

With two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz out due to a right wrist injury, the 2026 French Open field is significantly more open for everyone else. Zverev, the World No.3 (and No.2 seed), has long been viewed as one of the top clay-court threats outside the very elite. He reached the 2024 final (lost to Alcaraz in five sets), has strong career clay stats, and has been a consistent deep runner at Roland Garros. This is another great shot for him at a maiden Grand Slam title. Jannik Sinner is the massive favorite, but Zverev sits as the second choice.

The absence of Alcaraz removes one massive roadblock for him, but it also adds pressure to at least reach the finals, which is not easy to deal with. Not easy is also his first-round match against home player Benjamin Bonzi, who is a dangerous floater and has pulled off notable upsets in the past. Though this is Bonzi’s weakest surface, he is one of the few players to have won a set against Sinner this season. The home support could elevate Bonzi’s game, which can either bring out the best of Zverev or a potential upset. Regardless, it promises to be a fun match.

Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Daniel Altmaier

Felix Auger-Aliassime is a top four seed for the first time at a Grand Slam, which adds some pressure on him to perform well. This has never been his most successful Major or surface, but he can still play at a high level on his day and trouble anyone. The Canadian took Rafael Nadal to five sets here in 2022, which shows his ceiling. However, with just a 4-4 record on clay this season, he enters the 2026 French Open short of confidence, and Daniel Altmaier, with his consistency and top-level play, can cause serious problems in this matchup.

Altmaier famously upset Jannik Sinner here in 2023 and also defeated Taylor Fritz in the first round last year. He can extend rallies and frustrate his opponents, which will force Auger-Aliassime to show mental toughness early. This has the makings of a marathon battle and can not be missed.

Andrey Rublev vs Ignacio Buse

11 seed Andrey Rublev has been pretty consistent this season and has gained some good momentum since losing to Zizou Bergs in Monte Carlo. However, in the bigger picture of Grand Slams, he has lost his consistency. He used to be the “quarterfinal specialist” with 10 quarterfinals to his name, but hasn’t made the last eight at a Slam in over two years.

The Russian will face Ignacio Buse, a young clay-court specialist on the ascent with notable recent wins and momentum. A year ago, Buse was ranked near 200, but with his latest win over Ugo Humbert in Hamburg, he is #42 in the live ranking. It has been an incredible first full clay season for the Peruvian, and we can expect him to deliver some great tennis in his first French Open main draw appearance. Rublev has to be on his toes to avoid an early upset here.

Arthur Fils vs Stan Wawrinka

This is easily the most anticipated and biggest match of the 2026 French Open first round. Arthur Fils suffered a stress fracture in his lower back during the 2025 French Open, which forced him to withdraw before the third round. It sidelined him for roughly eight months, causing him to miss the rest of 2025, barring a brief, premature return in Toronto. However, since his return this year in February, he has been one of the best players on tour and is a big hope for the French fans. Fils retired early in the second round of the Rome Masters due to hip pain, but later confirmed that everything was fine.

On the other hand, the 2015 French Open champion, Stan Wawrinka, will be making his 21st and final main draw appearance after being provided a wild card. It will be an uphill battle for Wawrinka to beat a young and strong player like Fils, but this match will be much more than the result. It’s a veteran legend’s potential final walk on these iconic clay courts. The French crowd are one of the most partisan crowds in tennis, but it’s safe to say Wawrinka will have his fair share of love, support and even tears. Even if Fils wins comfortably, the match will be remembered for the occasion more than the scoreline.