Jannik Sinner enters the 2026 French Open as the man to beat, and the statistics support his status. The Italian world number one has captured five straight tournament victories, rarely dropping a set, and carries the extra motivation of a player chasing the one major title that has so far eluded him. Carlos Alcaraz, his primary challenger, is sidelined with a wrist injury that has kept him out of several clay-court events this spring. Even if Alcaraz had been fit, questions would remain about whether he could close the gap.
Laila Hasanovic's Cannes Appearance Adds to French Open Spotlight
While Sinner's tennis has dominated headlines on the court, his girlfriend Laila Hasanovic has drawn attention off it. She was in the stands at the Italian Open last weekend to watch him lift the trophy, and this week she appeared at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in a look that quickly circulated online. On May 20, Hasanovic posted to Instagram with the caption "before the red carpet. pinch meeeeeee", showcasing an elegant white gown and diamond jewelry. Italian Vogue covered the appearance, with writer Giacomo Aricó describing the outfit as a piece from Genny's Spring/Summer 2026 collection, designed by Sara Cavazza Facchini, that fused the classic elegance of Old Hollywood with the three-dimensionality of contemporary couture. Several fashion-tracking accounts have since reposted her behind-the-scenes content from the festival.
Hasanovic has carved out a visible presence in the fashion space, and Cannes only reinforces that. As Sinner prepares to compete for the French Open title, she will likely be courtside in Paris as well.
Sinner's Appeal Beyond Wins
Part of what makes Sinner such a compelling figure right now goes beyond his victories. Tennis fans have taken to him not just for his results but for his demeanor. He deflects praise, keeps things understated, and manages to be one of the most dominant players on tour without generating the kind of friction that sometimes follows sustained success. That combination of excellence and approachability has earned him genuine warmth in the sport.
With Alcaraz out and no other player on clay approaching his consistency, Sinner heads into Roland Garros with the kind of momentum that rarely arrives before a first-time major win on a surface. The draw looks open. The form is there.
