Who would you like to see win a Slam (that probably won't)?

[El Dude]

A silly question. Who would you most like to see win a Slam in 2026, but almost certainly won't? Feel free to answer how you want, but some "soft" rules:

First, no Sinner, Alcaraz, or Djokovic. They've won plenty and/or will win plenty more. I'm talking about veteran players that just can't get over the hump and/or you've completely written off. They can't be totally impossible (no "Roger comes back and wins Wimbledon at age 44"), and probably shouldn't be former Slam winners at all. I suppose players like Wawrinka and Cilic qualify. While it is very unlikely, one can imagine them partying like they're ten years younger for seven matches.

Consider that Fonseca already has a good chance, with or with your help. Even lower upside young guys like Draper, Shelton, Rune, Fils, Mensik and Tien have time on their side. You can pick these guys, but they've got plenty of time. We're talking 2026.

Most of all, they should be players who you'd like to witness the story of them winning a Slam in 2026. Pick THREE!

1. My top choice might be Grigor Dimitrov. I think it is very unlikely--and the least likely of my list--but it would just be a lot of fun to see. Somehow he's become a less annoying tennis version of Pedro Pascal - he seems to just be everywhere, and never goes away. But everyone likes him and it would be a great story.
2. My second choice would be Felix Auger-Aliassime. Just a nice guy, a good player, and I'd love to see him fulfill that early promise. But I'd also be satisfied with a Masters title.
3. My third choice...last one, so its a bit tough. I'll leave Matteo Berrettini for one of the ladies. I'm tempted to give it to Alexander Zverev, but not only is he a douche but I kind of enjoy the Shakespearean tragedy of his plight. I'd also consider Taylor Fritz but, to be honest, he's a bit boring (I'd put Casper Ruud and Tommy Paul in a similar category). A nod to Alex De Minaur, too - but I'd mostly like to see him win a Masters, at least. I guess I'll go Andrey Rublev - to see him bash his way to hoisting a title, and his emotional reaction.
4. Bonus player (I said three, but it is my thread - so whatever): Alexandr Bublik. This would possibly be the most entertaining. Strangely enough, he might be the most likely of my list. Not because he's the best player, but because he's the guy that I could actually see upsetting Jannik or Carlos by confounding them with his unexpected play.

And better yet...a Slam final with two of the four would be grand.

 

[Fiero425]

A silly question. Who would you most like to see win a Slam in 2026, but almost certainly won't? Feel free to answer how you want, but some "soft" rules:

First, no Sinner, Alcaraz, or Djokovic. They've won plenty and/or will win plenty more. I'm talking about veteran players that just can't get over the hump and/or you've completely written off. They can't be totally impossible (no "Roger comes back and wins Wimbledon at age 44"), and probably shouldn't be former Slam winners at all. I suppose players like Wawrinka and Cilic qualify. While it is very unlikely, one can imagine them partying like they're ten years younger for seven matches.

Consider that Fonseca already has a good chance, with or with your help. Even lower upside young guys like Draper, Shelton, Rune, Fils, Mensik and Tien have time on their side. You can pick these guys, but they've got plenty of time. We're talking 2026.

Most of all, they should be players who you'd like to witness the story of them winning a Slam in 2026. Pick THREE!

1. My top choice might be Grigor Dimitrov. I think it is very unlikely--and the least likely of my list--but it would just be a lot of fun to see. Somehow he's become a less annoying tennis version of Pedro Pascal - he seems to just be everywhere, and never goes away. But everyone likes him and it would be a great story.
2. My second choice would be Felix Auger-Aliassime. Just a nice guy, a good player, and I'd love to see him fulfill that early promise. But I'd also be satisfied with a Masters title.
3. My third choice...last one, so its a bit tough. I'll leave Matteo Berrettini for one of the ladies. I'm tempted to give it to Alexander Zverev, but not only is he a douche but I kind of enjoy the Shakespearean tragedy of his plight. I'd also consider Taylor Fritz but, to be honest, he's a bit boring (I'd put Casper Ruud and Tommy Paul in a similar category). A nod to Alex De Minaur, too - but I'd mostly like to see him win a Masters, at least. I guess I'll go Andrey Rublev - to see him bash his way to hoisting a title, and his emotional reaction.
4. Bonus player (I said three, but it is my thread - so whatever): Alexandr Bublik. This would possibly be the most entertaining. Strangely enough, he might be the most likely of my list. Not because he's the best player, but because he's the guy that I could actually see upsetting Jannik or Carlos by confounding them with his unexpected play.

And better yet...a Slam final with two of the four would be grand.

I really thought by now there w/b a break-thru in Majors, but so far it's been all about Alcaraz & Sinner the last 2 seasons! At least the rest of the tour has started sharing Masters events after so much dominance shown w/ Fedalovic over the last 20+ yrs.! Will the rest of the tour catch up any time soon? I barely watch these days! It's just not as entertaining; either men or women's game! I'm still holding onto the old guard hoping Grigor comes back, Zverev has a mental breakthru, & Tsitsipas can do something meaningful on-court as opposed to so much news off-court! I like Musetti, Bublik, & Draper! The New Kids on the block are having more trouble w/ their own health; Mensik, Rune, & Paul!

 

[mrzz]

In general, Rublev and Musetti. Particulary at RG I would like to see a hard working, grind friendly Argentinian getting the title (or my fellow Brazilian Thiago Monteiro, but that seems too much even for a whislist).

 

[El Dude]

I really thought by now there w/b a break-thru in Majors, but so far it's been all about Alcaraz & Sinner the last 2 seasons! At least the rest of the tour has started sharing Masters events after so much dominance shown w/ Fedalovic over the last 20+ yrs.! Will the rest of the tour catch up any time soon? I barely watch these days! It's just not as entertaining; either men or women's game! I'm still holding onto the old guard hoping Grigor comes back, Zverev has a mental breakthru, & Tsitsipas can do something meaningful on-court as opposed to so much news off-court! I like Musetti, Bublik, & Draper! The New Kids on the block are having more trouble w/ their own health; Mensik, Rune, & Paul!

The Masters really opened up in 2017, after 2016 when only Cilic broke through "Djokurray" to win a Masters. Fedal won the first four Masters in 2017, then Zverev broke out with two and Dimitrov and Sock entered the mix. Then in 2018, you had Del Potro, Isner, Zverev, and Khachanov; in 2019, Thiem, Fognini, and Medvedev. And so on, after that. My point being that "sharing Masters" - at least beyond the stay single title like Ferrer in 2012, Wawinka and Tsonga in 2014, and Cilic in 2016, really goes back to 2017, nine years ago.

For Slams it has been slower going, and was all Big Tour (mostly Djokodal) until Sincaraz took the reins last year. 2023 turns out to be the swan song of the Big Four, courtesy of Novak's great year - which I see as his third best after 2011 and 2015.

So now we're in the Sincaraz era, which could continue for several years. I don't think the two of them can dominate Masters like the Big Four, simply be virtue of the fact that there are only two of them, not four. But it is hard imagining anyone getting by them to win a Slam this year, but let's hope for it! The Big Four got more interested when Stanimal emerged for a few years, especially after Del Potro didn't fulfill his early promise (that is, was always hurt).

Meaning, even if Sincaraz dominance continues for the next 5+ dominance, it would be nice if they won, say, 3 Slams a year and we got a surprise for the 4th. We can dream...

 

[Moxie]

I'll bite, and I'll be one of the ladies to vote for Berrettini. There aren't that many options, if you leave off the irritating ones. Matteo does deserve a comeback, and he's looking positioned for one, after the Davis Cup.

I would also be happy with Rublev, seconding El Dude and Mrzz, because he's mostly his own worst enemy, no one else's. Musetti I could be happy for. Also Feliz. Already mentioned.

I tried to come up with 3 different options, but the only other person I think I'd genuinely be happy to see win a Major, besides Alcaraz and Sinner is Rune. I know he's still got a lot of recovery ahead of him, and other issues, but if he became the player we were hoping he'd be, I would be glad for him.

 

[El Dude]

Fun aside: Gill Gross predicts Musetti to finish #3 this year. I don't really see it, but who knows...3-10 is all pretty close, so Musetti is a candidate, especially with Zverev slipping an Draper's injury question marks.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Fun aside: Gill Gross predicts Musetti to finish #3 this year. I don't really see it, but who knows...3-10 is all pretty close, so Musetti is a candidate, especially with Zverev slipping an Draper's injury question marks.

I listened to his podcast today with his top ten for 2026
I was shocked with Musetti to finish at No 3, he better start winning tournaments as he hasnt one a tournament since 2022, though I think adding his new coach the veteran Spanish Jose Perlas, who has previously coach Moya and Coria, might be the breath of fresh air Lorenzo needs, he has the game, I still feel he needs to concentrate on his endurance in matches, lets see how he does in 2026, winning the Hong Kong tournament would be good preparation for the AO.

 

[mrzz]

Musetti needs a bit more sting on his rally backhand. If he can get that, maybe he has a real shot.

 

[Kieran]

A silly question. Who would you most like to see win a Slam in 2026, but almost certainly won't? Feel free to answer how you want, but some "soft" rules:

First, no Sinner, Alcaraz, or Djokovic. They've won plenty and/or will win plenty more. I'm talking about veteran players that just can't get over the hump and/or you've completely written off. They can't be totally impossible (no "Roger comes back and wins Wimbledon at age 44"), and probably shouldn't be former Slam winners at all. I suppose players like Wawrinka and Cilic qualify. While it is very unlikely, one can imagine them partying like they're ten years younger for seven matches.

Consider that Fonseca already has a good chance, with or with your help. Even lower upside young guys like Draper, Shelton, Rune, Fils, Mensik and Tien have time on their side. You can pick these guys, but they've got plenty of time. We're talking 2026.

Most of all, they should be players who you'd like to witness the story of them winning a Slam in 2026. Pick THREE!

1. My top choice might be Grigor Dimitrov. I think it is very unlikely--and the least likely of my list--but it would just be a lot of fun to see. Somehow he's become a less annoying tennis version of Pedro Pascal - he seems to just be everywhere, and never goes away. But everyone likes him and it would be a great story.
2. My second choice would be Felix Auger-Aliassime. Just a nice guy, a good player, and I'd love to see him fulfill that early promise. But I'd also be satisfied with a Masters title.
3. My third choice...last one, so its a bit tough. I'll leave Matteo Berrettini for one of the ladies. I'm tempted to give it to Alexander Zverev, but not only is he a douche but I kind of enjoy the Shakespearean tragedy of his plight. I'd also consider Taylor Fritz but, to be honest, he's a bit boring (I'd put Casper Ruud and Tommy Paul in a similar category). A nod to Alex De Minaur, too - but I'd mostly like to see him win a Masters, at least. I guess I'll go Andrey Rublev - to see him bash his way to hoisting a title, and his emotional reaction.
4. Bonus player (I said three, but it is my thread - so whatever): Alexandr Bublik. This would possibly be the most entertaining. Strangely enough, he might be the most likely of my list. Not because he's the best player, but because he's the guy that I could actually see upsetting Jannik or Carlos by confounding them with his unexpected play.

And better yet...a Slam final with two of the four would be grand.

I think if Fonseca caught a fair breeze behind him and he rose to the occasion, this would be very welcome: an even younger player than Alcaraz winning a slam and making an impact.

A lot of the others you mentioned just don't have the stomach for it: if they all reached the last four, there'd be no champion this year at that tourney. I have a visceral resistance to "entertainers" winning big titles, but Bublik does seem to have straightened his act in the last few months. I can't see him winning a Big One though. it's very difficult to see anyone else winning a slam this year, outside the Big Two.

Which is just the sort of prediction that guarantees it'll happen..

 

[mrzz]

If Sinner and Alcaraz both lose early in a major this year, half the remaining field will withdraw with diarrhea on the very next day. By the time we reach the semifinals they will need to put spectators to replace the players.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

If Sinner and Alcaraz both lose early in a major this year, half the remaining field will withdraw with diarrhea on the very next day. By the time we reach the semifinals they will need to put spectators to replace the players.

Well I will be there in person I will pack my Head racquet and tennis clothes just in case I am called upon regardless that I am a female
Love you Mrzz