2026 Edition: Draw delivers a blockbuster line-up

The Rolex Paris Masters is preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary in style in 2026. Forty years of spectacle, emotions, surprises, epic runs, shared moments with fans and triumphs that have become part of the tournament’s rich history. An event that has always evolved with its time.

“A 40th anniversary represents a certain maturity, even though many more editions still lie ahead,” explained FFT President Gilles Moretton during the ceremony. “We’ll relive great champions and unforgettable emotions during this major sporting event, which always arrives at a time of year when surprises and remarkable runs are possible.”

And to mark this important milestone, the draw has already handed fans plenty to look forward to.

The favourites’ potential paths 🏆

Having already secured the future world No.1 ranking thanks to his run to the semi-finals in Vienna, 2024 champion Alexander Zverev benefits from a first-round bye, as do the tournament’s top eight seeds.

That advantage should help him prepare for a new run, but his route is anything but straightforward. His opening match could come against either Lorenzo Musetti or Hubert Hurkacz. The Italian arrives full of confidence after lifting his first title in four years in Lyon, while the Pole produced an excellent Asian swing.

Should Zverev progress, a Round of 16 clash with No.15 seed Learner Tien could await before a blockbuster quarter-final against either Novak Djokovic (No.10) or Alex de Minaur (No.8).

Djokovic, a seven-time champion in Paris, is seeded but does not receive a first-round bye. On Monday or Tuesday, he will face Valentin Vacherot, one of last autumn’s standout stories and currently enjoying strong form after reaching the semi-finals in Basel. Luciano Darderi and Andrey Rublev could follow before potentially meeting De Minaur and Zverev.

The bottom half of the 56-player draw is every bit as compelling. At its foot sits Carlos Alcaraz (No.2), who was defeated by Cameron Norrie during his first appearance at the Plenitude Arena last year. The Spaniard will need to be fully focused from the outset, with either Jiri Lehecka or Alex Michelsen awaiting him in the second round.

Another American, Brandon Nakashima (No.14), may fancy his chances of testing Alcaraz in the Round of 16, although Matteo Berrettini and Ugo Humbert would no doubt have something to say about that. And if all goes according to seeding, French fans will be dreaming of a quarter-final showdown between Arthur Fils (No.6) and Alcaraz.

Further ahead, the race for the semi-finals could become particularly crowded. Flavio Cobolli (No.5), Rafael Jodar (No.9), Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (No.13) and Daniil Medvedev (No.4) all have strong claims to be serious contenders.

➡️ The full men’s singles draw for the 2026 Rolex Paris Masters

➡️ The full men's singles qualifying draw for the 2026 Rolex Paris Masters

Potential quarter-finals (based on the seedings) ⚔️

Alexander Zverev (No.1) vs Alex de Minaur (No.8)

Ben Shelton (No.3) vs Frances Tiafoe (No.7)

Flavio Cobolli (No.5) vs Daniil Medvedev (No.4)

Arthur Fils (No.6) vs Carlos Alcaraz (No.2)

The French are fortunate

That has not always been the case in previous editions, but the 2026 draw has been relatively kind to the French contingent.

Three home players, Arthur Géa, Kyrian Jacquet and Titouan Droguet, will all open their campaigns against qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Ugo Humbert, Quentin Halys and Luca Van Assche have drawn Botic van de Zandschulp, Wimbledon hero Arthur Fery and Mariano Navone respectively.

There will also be two first-round matches against seeded opponents. Arthur Rinderknech takes on No.16 seed Francisco Cerundolo, while Moïse Kouame faces an even sterner challenge in his Rolex Paris Masters debut against No.13 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Popcorn first rounds 🍿

Lorenzo Musetti vs Hubert Hurkacz

Learner Tien vs Stefanos Tsitsipas

Novak Djokovic vs Valentin Vacherot

Tommy Paul vs Holger Rune

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Moïse Kouame

Denis Shapovalov vs Karen Khachanov

Alex Michelsen vs Jiri Lehecka

The Rolex Paris Masters on YouTube and in the stands

As part of the 2026 edition, fans will also be able to watch eleven qualifying matches in full (31 October and 1 November at 11:00 on court central and court 1), as well as the men’s wheelchair tennis singles final (8 November at 12:00), by joining the Social Club on the official Rolex Paris Masters YouTube channel.

And, of course, if you would like to experience the action up close, tickets for the Rolex Paris Masters are still available through the tournament’s official ticketing website.