The Biggest Racket Sports Stories This Week
From Carlos Alcaraz’s injury scare in Japan to two top WTA stars shutting down their seasons early, here are the top headlines you need to know right now.
1️⃣ Svitolina, Haddad Maia End Seasons Early
Elina Svitolina announced her decision to end her season on Instagram, saying she’s “not at the level mentally or emotionally” to compete at her best right now. The World No. 13 reached two Grand Slam quarterfinals, won a title in April, and helped Ukraine reach the BJK Cup finals this year.
Brazil’s No. 1 Beatriz Haddad Maia said she’s shutting down her 2025 campaign to rest her body and mind, but promised “the best is still yet to come.” The 40th-ranked player tailed 76 matches in singles and doubles this season. During her last match at the Korea Open, she had trouble breathing and a physiotherapist checked her blood pressure before she kept playing.
2️⃣ Alcaraz Shakes Off Injury Scare in Japan
During his opening match against Sebastian Baez at the Japan Open, Carlos Alcaraz injured his ankle and dropped to the court in visible pain. The Spaniard needed medical attention and his ankle was heavily taped before he pushed through to a straight-sets win, 6-4, 6-2.
The new World No. 1 admitted after Thursday’s match that he was worried about the injury but happy he was able to finish and will do whatever it takes to be ready for the next round.
Alcaraz is scheduled to face Zizou Bergs on Saturday.
Watch this story to hear Alcaraz’s post-match comments
3️⃣ PTPA Adds Grand Slams to Lawsuit
On Monday, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) announced intentions to add the four Grand Slams as official defendants in its antitrust lawsuit against the ATP and WTA tours.
“This is a necessary next step to guarantee accountability from all parties and accelerate long-overdue reform across the entire professional tennis ecosystem,” a statement from the PTPA said.
The USTA responded with disappointment, emphasizing its ongoing efforts to find solutions and spearhead player compensation improvements.
Separately, top players, independent of the lawsuit, continue pushing the Slams for more financial transparency, bigger revenue shares, and greater influence in decision-making.
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4️⃣ Nikola Pilić, mentor to Novak Djokovic, dies at 86
Tennis legend Nikola Pilić passed away at 86 on Monday, leaving behind an enduring legacy that shaped the sport on and off the court. Pilić was a Grand Slam doubles champion and one of the “Handsome Eight”, a pioneering group said to help usher in the professional era of tennis. As a coach and Davis Cup captain, he led Germany, Croatia, and Serbia to titles.
Pilić was also instrumental in the early development of Novak Djokovic, who paid tribute to his mentor on social media: “I hope you felt how much you meant to me in my career and life. Your impact on my development as a person and a tennis player remains indelible.”
5️⃣ Wawrinka Joins Djokovic in Shanghai Draw
40-year-old Stan Wawrinka and 38-year-old Novak Djokovic are set to play in the Shanghai Masters next week. Djokovic will make his 14th main draw appearance at the event he’s won four times, returning to the court for the first time since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open semifinals.
After that match in New York, he told reporters he likes his chances better against the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner in shorter, best-of-three formats.
Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, received a wild card after winning 10 of his last 12 matches at Challenger events. It’s his 12th wild card of the season.
The Shanghai Masters is scheduled to run from October 1 - October 12.
Didn’t Make The Cut
Alcaraz, Anisimova to headline first tennis event at Miami Marlins’ ballpark
College tennis: The ITA All-American Championships wrap up this weekend
Jannik Sinner previews battle for year-end No. 1 vs. Carlos Alcaraz
Coco Gauff can become the first repeat winner at the WTA China Open.
At next week’s Shanghai Masters, Stan Wawrinka (40y 187d) will become the third-oldest player to appear in an ATP Masters 1000 main draw.
Since the inaugural ATP Tour season in 1990, Alejandro Tabilo is just the fourth player to win multiple ATP-level events as a qualifier.
In The 5 Setter Podcast we asked: Who is the oldest man to win an ATP Masters 1000 title in singles?
The answer: Roger Federer. He won the Miami Open in 2019 at the age of 37 years and 235 days.
Weekend Draw
China Open (WTA 1000)
Minus Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys, the rest of the WTA Top 10 is in the field. The Round of 64 begins Friday with the final scheduled for Sunday, October 5.
China Open (ATP 500)
Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Alex de Minaur lead the ATP draw in Beijing. The men’s final is slated for Wednesday, October 1.
Japan Open (ATP 500)
As previously mentioned, new World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz is into the Round of 16. Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune are the other top seeds. The final is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30.
Full international WTA & ATP broadcast list.
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