World number one Jannik Sinner and Serbian great Novak Djokovic have been kept apart in the draw for the 2026 French Open, meaning the two stars can only meet in the final at Roland Garros.

The draw, released in Paris on Thursday, also set up the possibility of a blockbuster women’s semi-final between reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff and world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

Sinner enters the tournament as the leading favourite for the men’s title following the absence of injured defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

The Italian will begin his campaign against French wildcard Clément Tabur, currently ranked 165th in the world, as he seeks a maiden French Open crown.

Sinner could face powerful American fifth seed Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals, while Russian star Daniil Medvedev is a potential semi-final opponent.

Medvedev recently pushed Sinner to three sets during their semi-final clash at the Italian Open before the world number one eventually prevailed and went on to defeat Casper Ruud in the final.

The victory in Rome saw Sinner become only the second player after Djokovic to win all nine Masters 1000 titles.

Djokovic, meanwhile, begins his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

The Serbian, who turns 39 on Friday, is hoping to end a major title drought stretching back to the 2023 US Open and move clear of Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

German second seed Alexander Zverev is projected to meet Djokovic in the semi-finals.

One of the standout first-round ties will see French star Arthur Fils face former champion Stan Wawrinka, who is expected to make his final appearance at Roland Garros before retirement.

Veteran Frenchman Gaël Monfils will begin what is expected to be his farewell French Open campaign against compatriot Hugo Gaston.

In the women’s draw, Sabalenka faces a difficult route to the final, with former champion Naomi Osaka among the possible opponents standing in her way.

The tournament build-up has also been overshadowed by tensions between players and Grand Slam organisers over prize money and media obligations.

French Open tournament director Amélie Mauresmo insisted organisers would not back down in the ongoing dispute.

“We are not going to budge,” Mauresmo told reporters, while stressing that prize money had significantly increased over the past decade.