Jannik Sinner enters Roland Garros as the clear favorite, but this year's French Open is far from a foregone conclusion. With Carlos Alcaraz—the only player who has matched Sinner's recent scintillating form—sidelined by a forearm injury, a significant void has opened at the top of the draw. Yet, the tournament remains wide open, and tennis legend Pam Shriver has identified two rising stars who could potentially derail the Italian's title hopes.
Even without Alcaraz, the field is stacked. Novak Djokovic, though not at his peak this season, still looms large, armed with a recent semifinal victory over Sinner at the Australian Open. But Shriver, speaking on the Inside-In Podcast, believes other challengers are ready to step up. "Let's see how he handles being the home favorite," she said, noting that French players have historically struggled to deliver their best tennis at Roland Garros. Then, she turned her attention to an American dynamo.
"I think Ben Shelton is such an interesting player for a lot of reasons," Shriver explained. "First, I adore his dad. To have one of the great father-son coaching relationships of all time has been incredible to watch. But the weapons Ben possesses—his serve, his attitude, his embrace of big moments—you can see how much he loves playing in majors, and his performance has shown that." Shelton, who recently claimed a clay-court title in Munich before an early exit in Madrid, brings a fearless energy that could unsettle even the most composed opponents.
Shriver also highlighted French teenager Arthur Fils, a homegrown talent who could thrive under the Parisian spotlight. "Arthur has the game and the crowd behind him," she noted. "If he can channel that energy, he could be a real threat." However, history suggests both players face an uphill battle against Sinner. Together, Fils and Shelton have managed just one win over the world number one. Shelton's last victory came in 2023, while Fils fell to Sinner in straight sets during their Madrid Open semifinal just days ago. Overall, Sinner holds an 11-1 record against the pair.
As the clay season heats up, all eyes will be on whether these young guns can rise to the occasion—or if Sinner will continue his dominant march toward a maiden Roland Garros title. Either way, this French Open promises drama, grit, and unforgettable tennis moments.