Monday, October 12, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

French Open Will Crown First-Time Men’s and Women’s Singles Champs 

The last remaining past French Open champion fell Sunday, meaning both sides of the tournament will have a first-time winner.

Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Iga Świątek’s defeat in the French Open on Sunday cements that first-time singles champions will be crowned on both the men’s and women’s sides of the tournament.

Marta Kostyuk beat four-time Roland-Garros champion Świątek 7–5, 6–1 on her birthday in the tournament’s fourth round. Last year’s winner, Coco Gauff, exited in the third round.

Novak Djokovic was the last past winner standing on the men’s side Thursday when he lost in the third round. Tournament favorites Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are also out—Alcaraz missed the tournament due to injury, and Sinner lost in the second round amid dehydration. Daniil Medvedev fell in the first round, and Ben Shelton lost in the second.

Plenty of big names still remain on the women’s side. Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka will face off Monday night, the first women’s night match at Roland-Garros in three years. Australian Open winner Madison Keys is also still competing.

But on the men’s side, it will be the first Grand Slam victory for whoever takes the crown.

Alexander Zverev, who has lost in three Grand Slam finals, is the favorite, but both veterans and disruptive youngsters alike are still standing.

The men’s and women’s singles champions will each take home about $3.25 million in prize money. Gauff and Alcaraz each won about $2.9 million last year.

Not Just the Tennis

In addition to the rampant upsets, this year’s French Open has dealt with several challenges and controversies.

The tournament began with players limiting their media availability in protest of the tournament’s revenue sharing. Players are set to earn 15% of projected revenue in prize money from Roland Garros, and want that number to increase to 22% by 2030.

The early rounds of the tournament coincided with a record French heat wave that saw temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

And last week, the tournament said it would deliver a “significant” fine against Adolfo Daniel Vallejo after the player said Thursday that his match needed “to be umpired by a man” because the woman referee couldn’t handle the “very demanding crowd.”

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 27, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; NBC broadcast analyst Mike Tomlin before the game between Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Opinion

The Tomlin Effect? NFL Analysts More Blunt Than Ever

Rex Ryan is the latest ex-coach to break from the fraternity.

Dodgers’ Payroll Bigger Than Rest of MLB Final Four Combined

The LCS round highlights a revenue and spending imbalance.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/9/26 – MLB’s 154-Game Pitch, NFL Bets on SCOTUS, Shaq Says Barkley Isn’t Leaving

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.
October 2, 2026

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.
Apr 6, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, and Jon Rahm walk down on the eighth hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

DP World Tour Won’t Allow Dual LIV Golf Memberships in 2027

“Players need to make a choice,” DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings said.
October 10, 2026

Sophie Cunningham Hits Back at Athletic Column: ‘Suck It’

WNBA star fires back at critical column by The Athletic.
October 11, 2026

Bears, Saints, Packers Pay Tribute to Mike Ditka

The Bears are wearing an “89” helmet decal in tribute.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Rose Zhang, left, Linn Grant, Yana Wilson and Danielle Kang, of New York Golf Club are introduced during WTGL Media Day at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on September 20, 2026.
October 9, 2026

Rose Zhang Hopes Nelly Korda Joins WTGL In Season 2

There are five WTGL teams with five players each.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Manchester United - Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, Britain - September 6, 2026 Everton's Ainsley Maitland-Niles celebrates scoring their second goal with Jack Grealish Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
October 9, 2026

Everton Weighs Sale Less Than Two Years After Friedkin Group Takeover

Everton is currently seventh in the Premier League.
October 9, 2026

MLB’s Next 5 Years: Realignment, Expansion, and 154 Games?

The latest schedule proposal adds to major changes on the way.
Jul 24, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; An official MLB baseball with a Toronto Blue Jays logo sits on the grass before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
October 8, 2026

MLB Owners Propose 154-Game Season, Expanded Playoffs

The proposal also includes a weekly off day.