German tennis star, current world No. 4, Grand Slam champion
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to an ongoing wrist issue, extending a layoff since April. His return remains uncertain as he targets the US Open, where he is the defending champion. Medical updates indicate tenosynovitis, with recovery potentially spanning weeks to months. The news affects his 2026 schedule and fans awaiting a comeback.
Unai Emery leads Aston Villa into the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, chasing a first European trophy since 1982. PSG enter as holders; Villa face a deficit in squad stability amid talks of signings and injuries ahead of the clash.
Australian Open organizers have announced a million-Australian-dollar top prize for next year’s tournament, confirming a return to a million-dollar purse. The event will be held at Melbourne Park from Jan. 17-31, with local amateur Jordan Smith winning the inaugural 1 Point Slam and inspiring a new qualifying event pathway for clubs nationwide.
Several ATP stars have withdrawn or stumbled through early rounds in Montreal, reshaping the Masters 1000 field. Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic have skipped key events to safeguard their health, while others face injuries and upsets ahead of Cincinnati and the U.S. Open.
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Masters as he continues to recover from an injury that forced him to quit the Barcelona Open in April. Tournament director Bob Moran has said organisers know Alcaraz is doing all he can to return; the US Open begins on August 30 and Alcaraz has not confirmed plans for lead-up events.
Today’s updates have sharpened focus on ongoing policy shifts as officials face new pressures. The events have prompted immediate reactions and signal potential future changes.
Draper has retired to begin again after a season hampered by a bone bruise. He has just lost in the Cincinnati Open first round, failing to convert six set points as Martin Landaluce has progressed to the next round. Critics say he is fighting fatigue and ongoing biomechanical changes.
Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula will meet in the Cincinnati women’s final, the first all-American showdown there in 56 years, after Pegula defeats Swiatek and Gauff defeats Bejlek. On the men’s side, Frances Tiafoe faces Arthur Fils in a historic final—the first Cincinnati Masters 1000 final with two Black players. Winners will headline the US Open build-up.
Czech qualifier Sara Bejlek has upset world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati, rallying from 5-1 down in the first-set tiebreak and saving two set points to win 7-6(7) 6-4. The result puts Elena Rybakina’s hold on the top ranking in jeopardy as she can replace Sabalenka at the summit by reaching the final.
Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed he will return to competitive tennis at the US Open after missing more than four months with a right wrist injury. The 23-year-old is seeded second at Flushing Meadows, where organisers have increased the total prize fund to a record $108m and will launch a grand slam player advisory council after the tournament.
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz have been given a wild card to the US Open mixed doubles main draw. The pair will compete in a revamped two-day, 16-team format with a $1 million prize. Williams is not planned to play singles, while Alcaraz is returning from a right wrist injury. The field also features other high-profile duos as the tournament reshapes its schedule.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the US Open because of a right knee issue. He has not played since winning Wimbledon and has been undergoing tests; his decision reshapes seeding and hands a clearer path to the title for rivals including Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and several top Americans.
Carlos Alcaraz has returned from a wrist injury to play in the US Open, teaming with Serena Williams in the mixed doubles. The news follows his four-month absence from singles and Williams’ comeback after a hiatus. The event adds star power to the Open, with other high-profile partnerships and a large field across both singles and doubles.
Roger Federer has been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport after a storied career that included 20 Grand Slam titles. In the run-up, he has performed exhibition matches in New York, signaling a lasting legacy beyond competition and underscoring his impact on fans and the sport.
Sabalenka has expressed concern over the smell of cannabis drifting onto Louis Armstrong Stadium during her third‑round win at the US Open. She has called for greater awareness around the stadium area as players continue their campaigns for a third consecutive title. Other top players are also advancing, with Alcaraz and Medvedev confirming progress to the fourth round.
Carlos Alcaraz has overcome a wrist injury to win his match in four sets, switching to a skin-tight vest to fix a wardrobe malfunction. He advances to the next round, with Medvedev, Pegula, and others also progressing; Djokovic suffers a shock first-round exit.
Top seed Alexander Zverev has beaten Luciano Darderi at Arthur Ashe, with other US Open results shaping the quarterfinals. Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina also advance, setting up late-stage clashes as players contend for titles amid injuries and form concerns.
Germany's Alexander Zverev has won his second Grand Slam title of 2026, defeating Ben Shelton in four sets at the US Open. The victory secures Zverev's status as a multiple major champion while extending the American wait for a homegrown winner.
Zverev has reached the US Open final after beating Khachanov in straight sets, cementing his place in contention for a second Grand Slam title this year following his French Open triumph. Shelton's hopes of ending America's long drought remain alive with a looming final against the German.
The US Open is drawing attention for more than tennis this year as influencers in the stands are transforming the spectator experience. Longtime fans accuse content creators of disrupting play with ring lights and live filming, while organizers note growing engagement and a changing marketing landscape.
Ben Shelton has advanced to his first Grand Slam final at the US Open after defeating Frances Tiafoe in a four-set thriller. He will face top seed Alexander Zverev, who also reached the final by overcoming Karen Khachanov in straight sets. The match culminates a weekend of standout American runs in New York.
Alexander Zverev has claimed a second Grand Slam title at the US Open, defeating Ben Shelton in four sets to end American hopes for a homegrown champion since 2003. Shelton had reached the final amid historic firsts, including being the first Black American man in the New York final in 54 years.
Britain has secured a place in the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna after a 3-0 aggregate victory over Ecuador. World No. 1 doubles duo Henry Patten and Neal Skupski clinched the decisive doubles rubber, while singles wins from Arthur Fery and Toby Samuel set up the winning margin in London.
Czech Republic has secured the Billie Jean King Cup, defeating Britain 2-0 to claim their 12th title. Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova led the charge, delivering straight-set wins for a dominant performance. Barbora Strycova marks her first win as captain, while Britain’s squad features rising players but falls short in Shenzhen.
Sinner has announced he will not play in the Beijing China Open this year due to a knee injury. He has not played since Wimbledon, and he is not ready to compete yet. Djokovic is set to headline the event while Sinner plans a return next year.
Carlos Alcaraz saves two match points to defeat Taylor Fritz in a dramatic Laver Cup clash at the O2 Arena, as Team Europe edges ahead in London. De Minaur and a rising Rafael Jodar deliver key wins for Team World, while Agassi’s presence reshapes team dynamics.
Europe has secured a 13-5 victory against Team World on the final day of the Laver Cup at the O2 Arena, extending Europe’s domination with a strong show of depth led by Zverev, Alcaraz and Cobolli/Mensik. Alcaraz’s late-day heroics and a dominant doubles pairings sealed the result as Europe clinched the trophy.
Jannik Sinner has announced a course of treatment for inflammation in his knee, following his Wimbledon title. He will miss the remainder of the 2026 season as he prioritises long-term health, with Beijing and Shanghai’s outcomes shaping the race for world No. 1 as Alex Zverev closes in.
Djokovic leads Medvedev in the Beijing semifinal final stages after Medvedev is disqualified for hitting a ball into the stands, injuring a spectator. Djokovic will face Alex de Minaur in the final; Hurkacz retires in the other semi. Djokovic’s perfect China Open record remains intact.
Gauff has halted a Beijing match to challenge flickering LED boards, went on to win, and has addressed racist abuse she received online. She defended following the rules and praised Sun Xinran, who advanced in the tournament.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has defeated Alexander Zverev in a dramatic Shanghai Masters semifinal, sealing a 5-7 6-4 6-3 victory after a long match. He will face Rafael Jodar in the final, while Zverev contends with fatigue and an eye toward recovery ahead of Vienna.