Annual hard-court tennis event in Cincinnati, oldest U.S. tournament in its city
Serena and Venus Williams have received a wild-card entry to compete in the doubles at the Cincinnati Open, marking their first doubles pairing since the 2022 US Open. The event runs in Mason, Ohio, from early next week, with Venus also entering the singles draw.
The WTA has instituted one-off mandatory gene-testing for all players to compete at the 2028 Olympics, aiming to distinguish biological sex from gender identity. Players including Sabalenka have supported the policy, while critics warn of privacy and rights concerns. The policy has drawn comparisons to other sports and sparked debate about transgender athletes in competition.
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to an ongoing wrist issue, extending a layoff since April.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.
London hosts the first Premier Padel event in England as Olympia hosts London P1. The event is sold out across four days, drawing 20,000 fans. World No.1 duo Coello and Tapia lead the field; British players participate, with Medina Murphy delivering a standout home performance before a last-32 exit. Organisers anticipate a bigger, better edition next year.
Several ATP stars have withdrawn or stumbled through early rounds in Montreal, reshaping the Masters 1000 field.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.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati after consulting with doctors and his team, citing knee pain and the need to focus on the US Open. The move keeps him out of several key North American events as top players contend with injuries.
Draper has battled through a difficult spell in his comeback from a bone bruise, suffering a straight-sets defeat in Cincinnati after leading 5-2 in the second set. He has changed his strings, racket, and service motion while seeking to protect his arm; fellow Briton Norrie progresses.
Novak Djokovic has been eliminated at Cincinnati in hot, humid conditions after a grueling 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Thiago Tirante. The 39-year-old veteran has been dealing with a health issue and did not advance to the next round, with Tirante earning the biggest win of his career. Djokovic saved 13 of 15 break points but could not finish the match, leaving his Cincinnati run in doubt ahead of the US Open.
Pegula and Gauff reach the women's final in Cincinnati after dramatic semis; Tiafoe faces Fils in the men’s final in a historic all-American lineup.
Czech qualifier Sara Bejlek has upset world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati, rallying from 5-1 down in the first-set tiebreak to win 7-6(7) 6-4. Elena Rybakina's Cincinnati journey is threatened by an ankle injury, while Iga Swiatek advances as Swiatek prepares for the US Open. In the men’s draw, Tommy Paul eliminates Alexander Zverev, setting up a Cobolli clash.
The four majors have unveiled a record prize pool and new player welfare measures, including a Grand Slam Player Council and a dedicated funding stream, in response to player protests over remuneration. The US Open will host the first implementation, with substantial increases across categories, and a $2 million allocation to a new player support programme.
Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed his return to the ATP Tour at the US Open after a wrist injury sidelined him since April. The news coincides with a record prize fund at the US Open and the launch of a Grand Slam players advisory council amid ongoing player displeasure over prize money and governance.
The US Open has announced that Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz will compete together in the mixed doubles main draw. Williams is returning to action but is not planning singles; Alcaraz is returning from a right wrist injury. The event features a revamped two-day, 16-team format with a $1 million prize for the winning team.
Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams will form a high-profile mixed doubles team at the 2026 U.S. Open, following Alcaraz's return from a wrist injury and Williams's return to top-level play after a hiatus. The pairing joins a star-studded field that includes Aryna Sabalenka with Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek with Casper Ruud. The event runs Aug. 24–26 for mixed doubles, with the rest of the tournament starting Aug. 30.
The Guardian and AP News report that 22-year-old Frenchman Arthur Fils wins the Cincinnati Open, defeating Frances Tiafoe to become the first Masters 1000 final featuring two Black players. Fils overcomes a tense match, dominating late to capture his first Masters 1000 title and rising into the top ranks of the ATP race.