2026 edition: A star-studded line-up for the 40th anniversary

From 31 October to 8 November, the biggest names on the ATP Tour will descend on the French capital, looking to end their seasons on a high and, perhaps, lift the Arbre de Fanti trophy. One thing is certain: it will change hands this year, with defending champion Jannik Sinner absent from the field. So who will succeed him inside Europe’s largest indoor arena? There will be no shortage of contenders...

Zverev, the throne and the crown?

Sidelined since his Wimbledon triumph with a knee injury, Jannik Sinner recently announced that his 2026 season was over. A sensible and understandable decision, but one that comes with several major consequences. Not only will he be unable to defend his titles in Paris and Turin, he will also surrender the world No.1 ranking to Alexander Zverev.

A two-time Grand Slam champion this season, the 2024 Rolex Paris Masters winner will therefore have the opportunity to reclaim his Paris crown while taking his place at the top of the world rankings for the first time in his career. The perfect way to add another remarkable chapter to the finest season of his life.

As ever at the Rolex Paris Masters, however, the competition will be fierce, particularly with several former kings of the game showing their teeth again in recent weeks. Carlos Alcaraz, who has never gone beyond the quarter-finals at this Masters 1000 event, will be determined to put that anomaly right, buoyed by the confidence gained in Tokyo and, more generally, since making his long-awaited return to the Tour at Flushing Meadows.

The same can be said of Novak Djokovic, a seven-time champion in Paris who impressed in Beijing, where he lifted the 102nd trophy of his extraordinary career. Another successful run in the City of Light could also help the 24-time Grand Slam champion secure his place at the ATP Finals.

That same objective will be on the minds of Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Arthur Fils, Daniil Medvedev and Alex De Minaur, whose ability to thrive on fast hard courts needs no introduction. Still firmly in contention in the Race, Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul will also be in action, alongside Roland-Garros semi-finalist Jakub Mensik and 2025 Rolex Paris Masters runner-up Félix Auger-Aliassime.

Rising star Rafael Jodar will make his tournament debut, while the 2026 edition will also welcome back 2022 champion Holger Rune, the only player on the entry list using a protected ranking. Sidelined for 335 days with a ruptured Achilles tendon, Rune impressed on his return in the Davis Cup before suffering opening-round defeats in Tokyo and Shanghai.

Another French breakthrough?

Always eagerly anticipated by the home crowd, several French players will also be hoping to make their mark during this anniversary edition.

Alongside French No.1 and Cincinnati champion Arthur Fils, 2024 runner-up Ugo Humbert and Arthur Rinderknech have earned direct entry into the main draw. Luca Van Assche and Quentin Halys are also very well positioned on the alternates list and will, at the very least, compete in qualifying.

Could a French player lift the trophy for only the fourth time in tournament history, following Guy Forget in 1991, Sébastien Grosjean in 2001 and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2008, and provide the perfect celebration for the tournament’s 40th anniversary? We will find out on Sunday 8 November.

➡️ Click HERE to discover the full men’s singles main-draw entry list

Get your tickets!

To experience the Rolex Paris Masters 2026 and cheer on your favourite players, book your seats through the tournament’s official ticketing website and join us courtside from 31 October to 8 November!