Paris again smells of earth and triumph. From May 18 to June 7, 2026, the main battle of the clay season unfolds on the courts of "Roland Garros." For some, it's a chance to enter history, for others, the last battle, for others, a battle with oneself. This year's tournament promises to be particularly hot. And it's not just the weather. When and where to watch the main start The tournament started on May 18 with the qualifying week, where hundreds of players fought for a ticket to the main draw. But the real show will begin on May 24 at 11 am Paris time [citation:2]. That's when the first seeded players will step onto the court. The women's final will take place on June 6, while the men will fight for the last trophy the day after — June 7 [citation:6]. The main arena — the legendary Philippe Chatrier court — will host night sessions, where new legends are born under the spotlights. The total prize money for the tournament this year is 61.7 million euros [citation:10]. The winners in the singles category will receive 2.8 million euros [citation:4][citation:6]. The runner-up will get 1.4 million. Even those who lose in the first round don't go away empty-handed: they receive 87,000 euros each [citation:10]. The numbers are impressive, but, as always, accompanied by disputes. Players are unhappy that their share of the tournament's income, according to some estimates, has fallen from 15.5% to 14.9% [citation:4]. Tournament Director Amelie Moriceau is not going to change the payment structure yet, leaving the issue open for dialogue [citation:4]. Men: the era of Sinner and the lost king The main news of the men's tournament is tragic and sensational. The reigning champion and favorite of the Parisian public, Carlos Alcaraz, will not be able to defend his title. A wrist injury has knocked the Spaniard out of action, and his dream of a third consecutive "Cup of Musketeers" has been shattered by the harsh reality of medicine [citation:1][citation:3][citation:8]. Without ... Read more