2026 ATP General News

[El Dude]

Alcaraz didn't play in Madrid last year, either. The nation of Spain might be upset.

Sinner might be tempted for a "freebie." On the other hand, it could be nice to see him not play so we have a higher chance of a new Masters champion. It would definitely be a really weak field, so almost anyone could take it. Arthur Fils is probably my pick for most likely next new Masters winner.

I'm starting to doubt if Draper will ever amount to much, other than that lone Masters title. The guy just can't stay healthy.

As for your comment, @Fiero425 , just think when we have a Saudi 1000...I'm wondering if they'll still with all are "mandatory" except MC, or if the Saudi one will also not be mandatory. Maybe it should be 8 of 10 or some such.

 

[Fiero425]

Alcaraz didn't play in Madrid last year, either. The nation of Spain might be upset.

Sinner might be tempted for a "freebie." On the other hand, it could be nice to see him not play so we have a higher chance of a new Masters champion. It would definitely be a really weak field, so almost anyone could take it. Arthur Fils is probably my pick for most likely next new Masters winner.

I'm starting to doubt if Draper will ever amount to much, other than that lone Masters title. The guy just can't stay healthy.

As for your comment, @Fiero425 , just think when we have a Saudi 1000...I'm wondering if they'll still with all are "mandatory" except MC, or if the Saudi one will also not be mandatory. Maybe it should be 8 of 10 or some such.

Is something going on that we don't know in Spain?? A top player should always make an appearance at a "home" tournament! Zverev's in Munich! WTF's wrong w/ today's players? I'm sure they probably are tired or injured, but as I've said B4, there's a resp. to the game! "Heavy is the head that wears the crown!" We all know The Big 3 didn't abuse the system as much as today's pros; a lot more mercenary w/ the free flowings of money & fame! Past greats weren't as much humble as they couldn't afford to be total a-#oles out there! By the time the Saudis do take over, I will have moved on; esp. after Novak retires! There's just lit'l to nothng there keeping me invested or continuing to watch TENNIS on TV! It's already happened w/ GOLF & that abomination called the LIV Tour that was created back in 2021-22!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Alcaraz didn't play in Madrid last year, either. The nation of Spain might be upset.

Sinner might be tempted for a "freebie." On the other hand, it could be nice to see him not play so we have a higher chance of a new Masters champion. It would definitely be a really weak field, so almost anyone could take it. Arthur Fils is probably my pick for most likely next new Masters winner.

I'm starting to doubt if Draper will ever amount to much, other than that lone Masters title. The guy just can't stay healthy.

As for your comment, @Fiero425 , just think when we have a Saudi 1000...I'm wondering if they'll still with all are "mandatory" except MC, or if the Saudi one will also not be mandatory. Maybe it should be 8 of 10 or some such.

Regardless of Alcaraz not playing Madrid last year ( due to injury) , his wrist/forearm injury is a concern, after the MRI's the other day it is more serious than first expected
I would prefer Sinner not to play Madrid, to me he needs a break, he will make his decision after arriving in Madrid
Sad for Draper at one point I thought he could be a player to challenge Alcaraz and Sinner, he just cant stay healthy

 

[El Dude]

I don't think Draper was every going to be more than a dangerous spoiler, but he did seem at least poised to be a strong 2nd tier type. For some reason he reminds me a bit of Tsonga.

Fiero, I don't think anything is going on in Spain other than them having a backbone vs. a certain maniacal US leader.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Amelie Mauresmo, RG Tournament Director, confirmed that they had heard the players complaints and that there will be no access for cameras in the players area's to protect their privacy
All of this comes after the controversial episode involving Coco Gauff at the AO 2026

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jannik Sinner has confirmed that he will play ATP1000 Masters Madrid and had his first practice session against Thiago Tirante in Madrid today.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jack Draper who has withdrawn from Madrid, he will be out of the Top 40, has also said he wont be playing Rome Masters ( leg)
Is Jack Draper going down the path of Kei Nishikori his body seems to be made of glass

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Congratulations to Carlos Alcaraz who is the Laureus Sportsman of the Year!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Just some up to date news for Carlos Alcaraz, he is wearing an heavy compression sleeve splint, which suggests significant inflammation or a strain that requires total immobilization of the area when not in therapy, Alcaraz was seen wearing the sleeve in Madrid earlier today
As his team stated when he went medical tests on April 15, the injury was 'more serious than expected'
Earlier today Alcaraz says he is not 100% sure he will play Roland Garros.
" We are waiting for a test that we will have in these days and the result will be crucial to make a decision. I am trying to be positive and have patience"
Alcaraz says he wont force playing Roland Garros if it hurts his career,
"We have a very long race ahead many years to go, forcing myself to play this Roland Gasrros could hurt me a lot for the future".


Source. Teledeporte via The Tennis Letter ( with that news sad to say it looks like Alcaraz wont be playing Rome ) lets wait for the tests to be complete.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Djokovic says he is working towards returning for Rome, but he is ready to enter Roland Garros without preparation. Depends on his injury recovery ( shoulder)

source. Olly Tennis @ Olly_Tennis.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

From Carlos Alcaraz, on social media,

After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing is to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros.While we wait to access the evolution to decide when we will return to the court.This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out stronger

nytimes.com/athletic/72194 via NYTimes.

 

[tented]

From Carlos Alcaraz, on social media,

After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing is to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros.While we wait to access the evolution to decide when we will return to the court.This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out stronger

nytimes.com/athletic/72194 via NYTimes.

 

[don_fabio]

From Carlos Alcaraz, on social media,

After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing is to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros.While we wait to access the evolution to decide when we will return to the court.This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out stronger

nytimes.com/athletic/72194 via NYTimes.

Wrist injuries for a tennis player are some of the worst. Look what happened to Thiem and Del Potro. This is a bummer for him after a perfect start in AO. It felt like he was entering his prime. Tour won't be the same without him. I hope it doesn't affect him in long term and he gets back to his best level again.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Wrist injuries for a tennis player are some of the worst. Look what happened to Thiem and Del Potro. This is a bummer for him after a perfect start in AO. It felt like he was entering his prime. Tour won't be the same without him. I hope it doesn't affect him in long term and he gets back to his best level again.

Don Hi,
It is a great pity Carlos has to withdrew from Rome and RG, he has to look at the 'big picture, he is 22 yo and already won his career slam this year, the youngest, he has plenty of tennis ahead of him, I dont want him to go down the path of Del Potro or Thiem, I feel he and his team have made the best decision going forward in his career.

 

[don_fabio]

Don Hi,
It is a great pity Carlos has to withdrew from Rome and RG, he has to look at the 'big picture, he is 22 yo and already won his career slam this year, the youngest, he has plenty of tennis ahead of him, I dont want him to go down the path of Del Potro or Thiem, I feel he and his team have made the best decision going forward in his career.

It is best for him to not rush it.

He played good in Monte Carlo and looked fine in the final against Jannik.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It is best for him to not rush it.

He played good in Monte Carlo and looked fine in the final against Jannik.

He picked up the injury in Barcelona after his first round win had pain in his wrist and forearm and then had scans and withdrew.'
One of the last conversations I had with Susan/ Moxie was I felt Carlos should not be playing all the clay tournaments, she agreed and said to me he should miss Barcelona.

 

[Murat B.]

It is sad for Carlos but he is young. Take your time, work it out, come back stronger. Wrist is a complicated place. I know , as it ended my drumming career, such as it was. I would like to know what specifically is his problem though. Just curious. If anyone knows...

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It is sad for Carlos but he is young. Take your time, work it out, come back stronger. Wrist is a complicated place. I know , as it ended my drumming career, such as it was. I would like to know what specifically is his problem though. Just curious. If anyone knows...

Alcaraz is treating the injury identified as a 'Muscle Edema in his pronator teres" and an inflammed tendon sheath, he has been in a immbolizing right wrist cast and using anti- inflammatory treatment
BTW 'the pronator teres main function is to pronate ( turn down the palm downward) and flex the forearm at the elbow

 

[tented]

been in a immbolizing right wrist cast
BTW 'the pronator teres main function is to pronate ( turn down the palm downward) and flex the forearm at the elbow

These make it seem quite serious.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

These make it seem quite serious.

Yes it is serious, when Alcaraz first had his scans in Barcelona his team said 'It was more serious than first thought" now with the 2nd scans quite frankly he had no other choice to withdraw in Rome and RG
With management having a brace splint and using anti inflammatory treatments it can be successful around 4 -6 weeks, of course that also depends on the athlete, some heal faster than others, complete rest is a must with a 'muscle edema in the pronator teres