French Open 2026 Preview
We're back for Roland Garros 2026! Host Dan Kiernan is joined by our Grand Slam panellists, two of them live from Paris during qualifying week, to preview all the action we can expect from the clay courts over the next fortnight.
They discuss the Carlos Alcaraz injury situation and the wider player burnout debate, the future of US college tennis, and the prize money controversy making headlines at this year's tournament. Plus dark horses across both draws, key storylines to watch, and their winner predictions!
Meet our panellists:
- Denmark's Davis Cup Captain and 2012 Wimbledon Doubles Champion, Freddie Nielsen - currently coaching August Holmgren, who is in the final round of qualifying as we record.
- Performance analyst and coach Mike James making his panel debut! Mike works with Oracle Tennis and is currently coaching Linda Fruhvirtova, also in the final round of qualifying in Paris.
- Sports broadcaster and former CNN anchor Candy Reid, Tennessee Vols alumna and one of the great voices of tennis.
Key talking points:
- Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from both Roland Garros and Wimbledon with a wrist injury, and the panel debate whether rising ball speeds, heavier balls and relentless scheduling are pushing players beyond their physical limits.
- US college tennis is at a crossroads, with the Arkansas programme cuts a sign of things to come as NIL money floods into football and basketball and squeezes tennis budgets at major universities.
- The panel share their genuine dark horse picks across both draws, with some bold names put forward on the men's side in particular.
- Top players are reportedly refusing all non-mandatory press at Roland Garros as a prize money protest, and the panel debate whether they are targeting the right thing.
Will Jannik Sinner march to a dominant Roland Garros title, or will the wide open draws on both sides deliver a first-time Grand Slam champion? The panel have their say and there are some bold calls in there.
Who do you think will be this year's Roland Garros champions? Tag @ctc.podcast on Instagram or Twitter or drop us an email to let us know who you're backing!
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Listen to: August Holmgren: Wimbledon Sensation and Challenger Champion
- Listen to: Candy Reid, From the Court to CNN
- Listen to: Mike James - A Numbers Game
- Listen to: Freddie Nielsen & Jonny Marray Part One: Pre Wimbledon 2012