Rennae Stubbs Names Jannik Sinner Favorite for French Open Title Following Historic Sunshine Double Triumph

Former world number one Rennae Stubbs explains why Jannik Sinner is the favorite to win the French Open and complete a Career Grand Slam in 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 3:53 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

The Shift in Momentum Toward a Parisian Grand Slam

As the professional tennis circuit transitions from the hard courts of North America to the demanding red clay of Europe, the narrative surrounding the next major title is shifting in favor of the current world number two. Rennae Stubbs, a respected voice in the sport and former top ranked player, has explicitly positioned Jannik Sinner as the primary candidate for glory at the upcoming French Open. This endorsement follows a dominant stretch for the Italian, who recently became the first man to win the Sunshine Double without dropping a single set across both tournaments. According to Stubbs, the technical evolution of Sinner’s game, particularly his ability to apply more shape to his forehand, makes him a formidable threat on a surface that has historically rewarded such tactical versatility.

Technical Superiority and the Importance of Shot Depth

A critical factor in Sinner’s recent surge is a technical nuance that many observers overlook, the consistent depth of his groundstrokes. Speaking on her podcast, Stubbs emphasized that Sinner’s ability to land the ball within a foot or two of the baseline forces opponents into defensive positions, frequently yielding short balls that he can then exploit. This relentless pressure, combined with extraordinary movement and a high performing serve, has allowed him to dismantle the world’s elite with unprecedented efficiency. By maintaining this level of depth on clay, Sinner can effectively neutralize the defensive specialists who thrive in Paris, turning the slow surface into a weapon rather than a hurdle.

Comparing the Recent Form of Two Young Titans

While Carlos Alcaraz entered the season as the defending champion of the longest final in French Open history, his recent form has lacked the clinical edge displayed by his Italian rival. Alcaraz suffered a straight sets exit in California against Daniil Medvedev and was later stunned in Miami by Sebastian Korda, raising questions about his consistency heading into the clay swing. In contrast, Sinner has remained nearly untouchable, carrying the momentum of his Nitto ATP Finals victory over the Spaniard into the 2026 season. This divergence in trajectory has led analysts to reconsider the hierarchy at the top of the game, with Sinner now possessing the mental and physical tools to challenge Alcaraz’s previous domi...