2026 Tennis: Contenders to Challenge Sinner & Alcaraz

The 2026 season begins this Friday, January 2 with the United Cup in Australia (January 2-11) and the favorites are already taking shape. For first and second place, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner really seem unattainable (barring physical problems). It now remains to be seen which player will reach the third step of the podium. Two favorites stand out, three contenders are chasing them and others could well spring a surprise. Overview of potential candidates for this third place in the ATP rankings.

FAVORITES

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Djokovic the inexhaustible

This year again, Djokovic showed us that he was still in good shape. Despite his 38 years, the Serbian is the only player on the circuit (except Alcaraz and Sinner) to have qualified for the semi-finals of each of the 4 Grand Slam tournaments this year. Often in difficulty at the end of the tournament and hampered by his physique, Djoko still finished the year 2025 in 4th place with 4820 points.

2025 was also the year of Djokovic’s 100th title, with his victory at the ATP 250 in Geneva against Hurkacz. He will then be titled at the end of the year at the ATP 250 in Athens against Musetti. Results which clearly prove that the Serbian is capable, despite his age, of being a serious candidate for this third place in 2026. Especially since Djokovic has once again announced that his retirement would wait until the 2028 Olympics, and that Jimmy Connors’ record of 109 ATP titles is surely lurking in the back of his mind.

Zverev, the eternal third

If there is one player who is used to being in the shadow of the best, it is Alexander Zverev. The German has never been number 1, nor won a Grand Slam. However, he very often finishes on the podium: 2nd in 2024, 3rd this year and in 2021. Even without a major title, Zverev (who plays practically every week) always manages to glean enough points to be a candidate for the title.

In 2025, even while producing one of the worst tennis of his career, Sascha Zverev finished 3rd just behind Alcaraz and Sinner. He reached the final of the Australian Open and two other tournaments, then won the ATP 500 in Munich, in his country. If the first two places once again seem very far away, the third seems quite affordable for the 1m98 giant.

THE PRETENDANTS

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Félix Auger-Aliassime, the comebacks

Another serious contender for this third place, even if a notch below, is Félix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian probably had the best season of his career, rising to 5th place at the end of the year. 2025 was marked by his 3 ATP 250 titles in Adelaide, Montpellier and Brussels. He was also a finalist in the Rolex Paris Masters and a semi-finalist in the US Open. Auger-Aliassime showed that he was one of the best players on the hard court circuit. And particularly indoors.

The Canadian returned when no one expected him. He learned from his mistakes. In 2023, he suffered from tendonitis in his knee for which he did not get enough rest. Result, pain for almost two seasons. This time, Aliassime is much more mature. In November, he did not hesitate to withdraw from Metz to preserve his body, even if it meant not being in control of his destiny for his place at the ATP Finals. Maturity and a game that has evolved make him a more than serious candidate for this third place.

Ben Shelton, the rise to power

Another contender for 2026, Ben Shelton, the 23-year-old American sensation. After a 2025 season marked by his first major successes, notably a historic Masters 1000 title in Toronto, Shelton confirmed that he had the level to appear in the elite. He also managed to reach the semi-finals at the Australian Open and had good results at the French Open and Wimbledon. He is currently in 9th place in the ATP rankings after managing to climb up to 5th.

Several challenges must be overcome before the American can claim the podium. Despite his good results, Shelton struggled against Alcaraz and Sinner. His ATP Finals campaign is also disappointing. But if the American manages to cross these levels, he could well become the 3rd man.

De Minaur, the outsider of regularity

The current 7th in the world, Alex De Minaur, can also claim to be at the top of the rankings. The Australian managed to qualify for the semi-finals of the ATP Finals. Throughout the season, he showed impressive consistency, asserting his solidity against the best.
Recently, he said he was starting to gain weight to get closer to the level of Alcaraz and Sinner. THE «Demon» think I’m not far from the leading duo: “I have played some close matches against them in recent years, with the feeling of getting closer little by little. Over the years, I gained a little weight, which helped.”

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SURPRISES

Fonseca the rising star

Joao Fonseca is obviously not among the natural favorites for a place on the podium, but the young Brazilian, only 18 years old, is described by many as one who could complete a new «Big Three». Despite his young age, he already attracts attention with his rare maturity, a heavy strike on both sides and an ability to play without complexes against higher ranked opponents. Still far from the top 10 (24th), the Brazilian logically lacks references over the duration of a full season and in very big events, but his room for improvement remains considerable.

If he manages to string together tournaments without injury, capitalize on the Masters 1000 and achieve one or two notable Grand Slam runs, the Brazilian could quickly move on. It should be noted that at his age, Carlos Alcaraz had approximately the same results, and it was at 19 that he really exploded to reach 1st place at the end of 2022.

Bublik the rise of power

If there is another player who could well create a surprise in 2026, it is Alexander Bublik. The Kazakh quite simply had the best season of his career. Out of the top 20 at the start of the year, Bublik finished 11th at the end of the season. In 2025, he won four titles: three in ATP 250 (Gstaad, Kitzbühel, Hangzhou) and one in ATP 500 (Halle).

He is also the only player to have beaten Jannik Sinner in 2025, apart from Alcaraz (Griekspoor does not count because Sinner withdrew). A feat achieved in Halle in the round of 16 (3/6 6/3 6/4). He would later win the tournament.