May 2026 Tennis Preview: What It Means for Wimbledon

May brings the end of the European clay-court swing, with Rome and Roland Garros shaping the final stretch before the grass season begins. While the focus this month is on clay, the results will still matter for Wimbledon, especially when it comes to form, fitness and which names are most likely to drive demand by the time The Championships begin.

Rome

Carlos Alcaraz has announced that he will miss the rest of the clay-court swing after sustaining a wrist injury. That leaves him out of both the Rome Masters and Roland Garros, creating a major shift in the men's picture just weeks before the grass season.

Jannik Sinner will lead the field in Rome at his home event and, on current form, looks the obvious favourite to claim a first title there. Alex Zverev and Novak Djokovic are both multiple champions in Rome and could pose the biggest threat, although Djokovic's participation remains uncertain after not yet playing on clay this year.

From a Wimbledon perspective, Alcaraz's absence is the most significant development. If he does return in time for the grass season, attention will immediately turn to whether he can regain momentum before SW19. Sinner, meanwhile, has the chance to strengthen his position as one of the leading contenders for Centre Court's biggest matches this summer.

On the women's side, Jasmine Paolini returns as defending champion after winning in Rome last year. Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek are all set to compete in what will be the last major event before Roland Garros.

That also matters for Wimbledon. Sabalenka, Rybakina and Gauff are already among the names most likely to shape the conversation around the women's draw at The Championships, and strong results in Rome will only reinforce that.

Could Roland Garros crown new champions?

With Alcaraz unable to defend his title in Paris, the men's draw appears far more open than expected. Sinner is the clear favourite, with a winning run stretching back to the start of March and his biggest rival absent. Victory in Paris would also complete his Career Grand Slam.

The only former champions in the draw are Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka, who is making his final appearance at Roland Garros. Djokovic has not yet played on clay this season, but his pedigree means he can never be discounted. Zverev is also likely to be among the main contenders, while Arthur Fils continues to look like one of the form players of the moment.

Jack Draper will miss Roland Garros, but is hoping to return in time for his home Grand Slam at Wimbledon. That is one of the most important threads of the month from a British and Wimbledon point of view. Buyers and fans will be watching closely for any sign that he can recover in time for the grass-court season.

On the women's side, Iga Swiatek's dominance in Paris was broken last year, when Aryna Sabalenka beat her in the semi-finals before Coco Gauff went on to win the title. Swiatek will hope her favourite tournament can help revive a disappointing season, while Gauff arrives as defending champion.

As with the men's event, there is a strong chance of a new champion. The only former winners in the draw are Swiatek, Gauff, Jelena Ostapenko and Barbora Krejcikova. Sabalenka looks the most convincing favourite at this stage, while Rybakina and Mirra Andreeva are also among the most dangerous names in the field. France's Lois Boisson will hope to make another deep run on home soil.

What May could mean for Wimbledon

By the end of May, the Wimbledon picture should be much clearer. Roland Garros will leave some players full of confidence and others looking to reset quickly before the grass season begins.

The biggest questions for Wimbledon this month are likely to centre on fitness and momentum. Can Alcaraz recover in time to become a serious contender again? Can Draper return for his home Grand Slam? Can Sinner carry his current level from hard courts to clay and then into the grass season without losing momentum?

On the women's side, Sabalenka, Gauff and Rybakina already look like players who could drive strong Wimbledon interest, while Swiatek will be under pressure to show signs of progress before the surface changes again.

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