Legendary American tennis analyst John McKinley has stirred up considerable excitement with his latest analysis of the upcoming 2026 French Open. According to McKinley, Novak Djokovic’s chances of claiming his record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title have dramatically increased due to seismic shifts at the top of men's tennis.

Alcaraz's Absence Opens New Opportunities

McKinley highlighted the absence of Carlos Alcaraz as a key factor, considering it a "structural change" that alters the entire landscape of the tournament. Without the Spaniard, who is regarded as one of the dominant forces on the circuit, the draw has become significantly more vulnerable.

The analyst emphasized that this situation benefits not only Serbian ace Djokovic but also players like Alexander Zverev. However, McKinley asserts that Djokovic is the one best equipped to capitalize on the opportunity presented to him.

"The doors have clearly opened wider, not just for Djokovic, but for Zverev and others who have struggled. When it seemed that Djokovic’s chances of winning another Slam were bleak, the situation has changed," McKinley told Forbes.

Djokovic's Strongest Weapon: Experience

McKinley is unequivocal about who the current favorite is. "For me, it's Sinner versus everyone else. I would take Sinner over anyone at the moment. But this opens the path for a group of players to achieve results they likely couldn't before," the analyst stated.

Although the French Open is physically the most demanding tournament, McKinley believes Djokovic’s ability to control the match and his tactical superiority could outweigh even the conditions that are less favorable for him in this phase of his career. However, he does not hide that Wimbledon remains Djokovic's best chance.

"I see him as the favorite on grass, absolutely. He has that expertise, he has done it before, points are shorter. That's his best outfit right now," McKinley concluded.

(Telegraf.rs)