Tennis News

Sinner meets the Pope and Alcaraz in Alcatraz among best off-court moments of 2025

To mark the end of another thrilling season, ATPTour.com is unveiling our annual ‘Best Of’ series, which will reflect on the most intriguing rivalries, matches, comebacks, upsets and more. Today we highlight some of the most memorable off-court moments from this season.

The on-court action may make the headlines, but the ATP Tour is about much more than just serves, sets and sporting success. A host of the world’s top stars enjoyed plenty of exciting off-court experiences during the 2025 season, reminders of the wider spectacle of the tennis merry-go-round.

ATPTour.com recaps some of the best off-court moments of 2025.

Djokovic to Coach Murray: No injuries, please!
Novak Djokovic began his 2025 season with a New Year’s Eve opening-round win at the Brisbane International presented by ANZ. The Serbian was promptly asked to reveal the whereabouts of his then-coach and great former rival Andy Murray, who was reportedly only scheduled to arrive Down Under later that month for the Australian Open.

“He is skiing at the moment. He has a family skiing trip. Sending my love to all the Murray family,” Djokovic confirmed in his post-match on-court interview in Brisbane. “I hope he doesn’t get injured skiing before he comes to Melbourne. That wouldn’t be great.”

Djokovic needn’t have worried, as Murray soon responded to his charge with a reassuring-if-tongue-in-cheek post on X:

I’m taking on some huge slopes as you can see but no injuries just yet 😂 https://t.co/fqdBbMzNZJ pic.twitter.com/4E5QUYUOQc

— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) December 31, 2024

From volleys to Vogue
The crossover between tennis and fashion hit new heights in 2025. In March, fast-rising leftys Ben Shelton and Jack Draper appeared in an issue of Vogue Magazine, with the iconic fashion publication branding the pair as ‘Two Princes’.

<img alt=”Ben Shelton ” style=”width: 100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/03/05/12/41/shelton-vogue-2025-(1).jpg” />

_{^{Ben Shelton takes part in a photo shoot for Vogue Magazine. Photo Credit: Theo Wenner/Vogue}}

Meanwhile another renowned fashion publication, GQ, got into the action at the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals, where it held a photo shoot with six of the qualified players at a hotel in downtown Turin.

<img alt=”Nitto ATP Finals” style=”width: 100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/11/11/14/28/gq12025.jpg” />

_{^{A group shot from the Nitto ATP Finals GQ photo shoot. Photo Credit: John Russo}}

Sinner’s divine moment with Pope Leo XIV
In May, Jannik Sinner marched to his maiden final at his home ATP Masters 1000 event, the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Perhaps Sinner was feeling particularly inspired on the Rome clay in the wake of his meeting with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican City.

When in Rome…

Jannik Sinner met Pope Leo XIV this morning 🤩

🎥: Vatican Media#IBI25 pic.twitter.com/tYg7fCN3zx

— Internazionali BNL d’Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 14, 2025

Leo XIV was not the only iconic figure with whom Sinner crossed paths in 2025. In June, the then-No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings released a song with famous Italian tenor Andrea Boccelli, titled Polvere e Gloria (Dust and Glory).

Golfing greats…& golfing gaffes
ATP Tour stars past and present tried their hand at golf in 2025, apparently with mixed success. While many tennis players appear to have no trouble adjusting their skills to excel at golf, ATP No. 1 Club members Alcaraz (“I’m not that good”) and Murray (“I know, I know, I’m terrible at golf”), who played a round together shortly before Wimbledon, both seemed intent on ‘managing expectations’ when asked about their abilities with club in hand.

Perhaps Alcaraz and Murray could benefit from tagging along on the next ‘Fedal’ golf day… legendary Lexus ATP Head2Head rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal hit the fairways together in Mallorca in July, while Alcaraz could also just head to the locker room and hit up Casper Ruud for some advice: the Norwegian is a fanatic of the sport who is widely acknowledged as the best golfer on the ATP Tour.

<img alt=”Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer” style=”width: 100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/07/22/20/02/roger_rafa.jpg” />

_{^{Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer played golf together in July at the Pula Golf Resort in Mallorca. Photo Credit: Rafa Nadal Academy}}

No man is an island… except Alcaraz?
Golf was not the only off-court activity that Alcaraz enjoyed this season. The Spaniard, who finished the year with ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours, took the time to visit a San Francisco landmark ahead of the 2025 Laver Cup.

Alcaraz took a tour of Alcatraz Island, home of the world-famous former prison that has become one of San Francisco’s most-visited tourist attractions. The Spaniard was able to escape the island in time to lead Team Europe’s Laver Cup bid, but it is Team World who will keep the event’s trophy under lock and key until next year after it secured a commanding 15-9 victory at Chase Center.

<img alt=”Carlos Alcaraz at Alcatraz Island in San Francisco ahead of the Laver Cup.” style=”width: 100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/09/17/22/41/alcaraz-alcatraz-laver-cup-2025-visit.jpg” />

_{^{Carlos Alcaraz at Alcatraz Island in San Francisco ahead of the Laver Cup. Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup}}

Earlier in the year, Alcaraz had taken another, somewhat different, island trip following his stunning triumph from three championship points down against Jannik Sinner in the Roland Garros final. For the second year in a row, the Spaniard flew to Ibiza to enjoy a June holiday with friends: “The craziest thing was probably staying out really late,” Alcaraz later said. “I danced a bit, but nothing more than what a normal person would do.”

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Journey to Jeddah: The calm, confident rise of Learner Tien & Rei Sakamoto's development

“I just go out there and try and enjoy it as much as I can.”

Relaxed, unhurried and backed by a quiet, unwavering self-belief, Learner Tien radiates ease as he reflects on a breakthrough season that has turned heads across the ATP Tour.

Still just 19, the rising American surged into the title match at the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF and now returns to the 20-and-under showdown in 2025 as one of the players to watch. His year featured a series of firsts and milestones, including a maiden ATP 250 crown in Metz, marking him as one of the sport’s fastest-climbing talents.

In the opening episode of the new Journey to Jeddah series, Tien rewinds to his earliest memories on court, shares what he’s learned from his debut year on Tour and opens up about competitiveness, pressure and why friendships with peers matter more than most people realise.

“I think all the young guys do a great job at pushing each other. It helps seeing familiar faces in new places,” Tien says. “So many other guys are living almost the same life as you… It’s reassuring to know you share so much in common with the people around you.”

Also stepping into the spotlight in Episode 1 is Japan’s Rei Sakamoto. The 19-year-old, known for his self-proclaimed quirky personality and booming serve, is navigating the pivotal transition from juniors to the ATP Tour and ATP Challenger Tour. Coach Federico Ricci is encouraged by Sakamoto’s development, but highlights the importance of sharpening focus as the next stage of his career begins to unfold.

Featuring expert insight from Lee Goodall and Candy Reid-Harrop, episode one sets the scene for a compelling series ahead, charting the journeys of the game’s most exciting young names as they race toward Jeddah. Watch the first episode now.

The 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF will take place from 17–21 December.

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Cameron Norrie engaged to longtime partner Louise Jacobi

Cameron Norrie is engaged.

The Briton and longtime partner Louise Jacobi announced the news Sunday in a joint Instagram post.

“A special moment on our trip in South Africa. Cheers to a beautiful life together with my best friend 💫🌟💫” Jacobi wrote on Instragram. “(Note: real engagement ring to come)”

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Louise Jacobi (@weezcobi)

Norrie and Jacobi began posting photos together in 2019. Jacobi has been a consistent presence on Tour since.

Norrie is the No. 27 player in the PIF ATP Rankings following a season in which he earned 34 tour-level wins, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. 

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#NextGenATP stars Tien & Fonseca spring biggest Grand Slam upsets of 2025

To mark the end of another thrilling season, ATPTour.com is unveiling our annual ‘Best Of’ series, which will reflect on the most intriguing rivalries, matches, comebacks, upsets and more. Today we highlight five standout Grand Slam comebacks from this season.

Taking down a top player is one thing, but doing it on their favourite surface, in front of a packed crowd — or even in your first Grand Slam match — is something else.

From rising teenagers dismantling top seeds to qualifiers defying the odds on the sport’s grandest stages, the 2025 majors delivered drama few could have scripted. As part of our annual season-in-review series, ATPTour.com counts down the five most unexpected Grand Slam upsets of the year.

5) Roland Garros R2: Gigante d. Tsitsipas 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4
Stefanos Tsitsipas had turned Roland Garros into one of his happiest hunting grounds, until Matteo Gigante kicked the doors down.

Few expected the Italian qualifier, at No. 167 in the PIF ATP Rankings, to trouble one of the clay-court elite. But Gigante, playing with the verve and fire of someone who had nothing to lose, unleashed his explosive lefty forehand to topple the 2021 finalist in four sets. It was a loss that cut deep for Tsitsipas.

For the first time since 2018, the former World No. 2 and Nitto ATP Finals champion fell outside the Top 20, and his season was later derailed by a back injury that limited him to just four more wins. Gigante’s run to the third round was a defining moment, and the Italian has since risen to a career-high World No. 125 as he continues his bid for a Top 100 berth.

<img alt=”Matteo Gigante” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/11/18/14/09/gigante-roland-garros-2025-upsets.jpg?w=100%25″ />_{^{Matteo Gigante earns his first Top 20 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas at Roland Garros. Photo: Adam Pretty/Getty Images.}}

4) US Open R2: Collignon d. Ruud 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5
For Raphael Collignon, New York became the city where promise met proof.

A broken thumb had disrupted his aim of gaining direct entry to Roland Garros, and until the US Open, he had never won a main-draw match at a major. But, after downing Daniel Elahi Galan in his opener, Collignon then produced the performance of his life to prevail against the 2022 finalist Casper Ruud after three hours and 28 minutes.

“I think it’s the best day of my life,” said Collignon. “It was not easy because Casper is a great champion. I was so scared at the beginning, but I found my rhythm.”

It wasn’t all straightforward for Collignon, however, as he served three double faults when serving for the match at 6-5 in the fifth before eventually converting his third match point. It was a win that catapulted him back inside the Top 100 and set him up for a strong finish to the year, during which he overcame No. 8 Alex de Minaur in the Davis Cup and reached the semi-finals on home soil at the ATP 250 in Brussels.

<img alt=”Raphael Collignon” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/11/18/14/29/collignon-us-open-2025-upsets-2.jpg” />_{^{Raphael Collignon reaches the third round at a major for the first time. Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images.}} 

3) Wimbledon R1: Rinderknech d. Zverev 7-6(3), 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4
After four hours and 44 minutes on Centre Court, Arthur Rinderknech delivered the moment that would change the rest of his 2025 season. The Frenchman’s opener against third seed Alexander Zverev at Wimbledon had all the makings of a mismatch, but he refused to play the part of underdog.

Rinderknech slammed 79 winners with relentless aggression, taking it to Zverev from the first ball to the last to secure his maiden win over a Top 5 player. The upset became a springboard for a stunning second half of the season, which included a semi-final run in Gstaad and a fourth-round showing at the US Open. He later reached his maiden ATP Masters 1000 final in Shanghai where, fittingly, he defeated Zverev again and improved to 2-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“It was a very important moment, probably the best tennis moment of my career,” Rinderknech said in October, speaking of his Wimbledon win against Zverev. “Then several things succeeded step by step. I feel I’m on the right track and I can now do what I want to do, the way I want.”

<img alt=”Arthur Rinderknech” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/11/18/14/05/rinderknech-wimbledon-2025-upsets.jpg” />_{^{Arthur Rinderknech defeats Alexander Zverev in five sets at Wimbledon. Photo: Corinne Dubreuil.}}

2) Australian Open R1: Fonseca d. Rublev 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5)
Joao Fonseca arrived at the Australian Open as one of the Tour’s most exciting prospects, but few expected him to out-hit one of the sport’s fiercest ballstrikers in his first main-draw match at a major.

Yet Fonseca used his calm aggression and heavy forehand to surge past ninth seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets — a win that electrified Margaret Court Arena and set social media alight. For the 18-year-old Brazilian, who had triumphed at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF four weeks prior, it was validation of months of hype following his rapid climb across the 2024 season.

“I was trying to not put pressure on myself, playing with a Top 10 guy in a huge stadium,” said Fonseca, who was backed by many Brazilian fans in Melbourne. “[I was] trying to call the crowd to help me. I just enjoyed playing my game. That’s one thing about myself, is that I play better in the important points, I go for my shots. That was the difference today.”

<img alt=”Joao Fonseca” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/11/18/14/16/fonseca-melbourne-2025-upsets.jpg” />_{^{Joao Fonseca beats Andrey Rublev in straight sets at the Australian Open. Photo: William West/Getty Images}}

Although Fonseca fell in his second-round match to Lorenzo Sonego, the young talent has further proven himself across the 2025 season. He captured his maiden ATP Tour title in Buenos Aires in February and then won the crown at the ATP 500 in Basel, becoming the first Brazilian to win a title above ATP 250 level since Gustavo Kuerten in 2001.

1) Australian Open R2: Tien d. Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-7(8), 1-6, 7-6(10-7)
Margaret Court Arena played host to two of the season’s biggest shocks, and American teenager Learner Tien delivered the second with his marathon, late-night victory over three-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev.

Competing as the World No. 121, Tien looked destined for a heartbreak chapter rather than a breakthrough one after failing to convert a match point in the third set. The tension escalated further into the night when Medvedev stepped up to serve for the match at 6-5 in the fifth, but Tien refused to wilt, showing a blend of courage and clarity — and even shades of Medvedev’s own tactical shrewdness — to claw his way back and seize the biggest win of his career at 2:54 a.m. local time.

“I was definitely hoping it wouldn’t go to a fifth-set breaker, but I’m just happy to get a win,” said Tien. “I know I made it a lot harder than maybe it could have been… Losing the third was tough after playing for that long and having a match point.”

<img alt=”Learner Tien” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/11/18/14/20/tien-melbourne-2025-upsets.jpg” />_{^{Learner Tien defeats Daniil Medvedev in five sets at the Australian Open. Photo: Paul Crock/Getty Images.}}

From there, Tien’s trajectory only grew steeper. Along with Fonseca, who defeated the American in the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF title match, Tien suddenly looked fully at home at tour level. He amassed five Top-10 wins across 2025, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, and captured his first ATP Tour title in Metz in November.

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Alcaraz watches Messi & Inter Miami make history

Carlos Alcaraz and Lionel Messi stood on the same star-studded stage Saturday evening in Florida.

Alcaraz, who recently earned ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours, handed Messi’s Inter Miami CF a trophy for reaching the final of the MLS Cup.

Earlier in the evening, Messi winked at Alcaraz on his way out to the pitch. Alcaraz, the World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, also spent time with Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez.

^{Photos: AFP/Getty Images}
Inter Miami defeated NYC FC 5-1 to reach the MLS Cup for the first time, with Alcaraz bringing their award for winning the Eastern Conference Final.

Alcaraz is enjoying his offseason following a memorable campaign during which he tallied a 71-9 record and claimed a career-best eight titles according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

Messi was in attendance at this year’s Miami Open presented by Itau, the season’s second ATP Masters 1000 event. The Argentine watched Novak Djokovic win his semi-final.

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Djokovic serves F1 drivers Piastri, Russell & Norris trophies in Qatar

Novak Djokovic is plenty familiar with lifting trophies. The Serbian superstar has earned 102 tour-level singles crowns during his illustrious career.

But on Saturday at the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix Sprint Race, Djokovic was the one awarding trophies to others. The 38-year-old presented trophies to winner Oscar Piastri, George Russell and Lando Norris. 

Novak serving up the #F1Sprint trophies 🏆#F1 #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/ymiF9tuw7x

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 29, 2025

Djokovic has gotten to know plenty of F1 drivers over the years. The former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings had a nice chat with Russell two years ago in Monte-Carlo, spoke with the Briton last year at Wimbledon and enjoyed a conversation with Norris in Qatar one year ago. Piastri appreciated his moment with Djokovic Saturday, posting a photo of them on his Instagram Stories.

Djokovic also crossed paths with members of legendary band Metallica, taking a photo with Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo. Ulrich’s father, Torben Ulrich, was a professional tennis player who in singles made the fourth round at three of the four majors.

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Nadal receives honour from RCD Mallorca: ‘He is a great source of pride’

There are few prizes that Rafael Nadal did not get his hands on during his time as a professional tennis player on the ATP Tour. But off the court, he is certainly no slouch either.

The accolades and recognition for the former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings just keep coming.

The latest came on Saturday, from La Liga football club RCD Mallorca. The Bermellones, who were playing CA Osasuna, awarded Nadal the ‘Dimoni d’Honor’.

 

 

 

 

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The 22-time major champion is the first to receive the award, which was conceived to shine a light on Balearic Islanders whose excellency and values have made an impact as well as a contribution to society.

According to the RCD Mallorca: “The club wanted to publicly recognise the career of the Mallorcan tennis player, a global star whose legacy transcends his sport. His spirit of determination, his commitment, his humility and his extraordinary career have made him into a figure who is admired around the world. He is a great source of pride for Mallorca and Spain.”

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Jodar's late-season surges helps him seal Jeddah spot, Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF field set

Rafael Jodar will join countryman Martin Landaluce at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in December, with the field now set for the 20-and-under event.

The 19-year-old served as a hitting partner in Jeddah last year but will compete this season following a breakthrough season. The Spaniard, No. 167 in the PIF ATP Rankings, enjoyed a late-season surge to book his spot in Jeddah.

<img alt=”Rafael Jodar” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/11/28/17/41/jodar-2025-qualification.jpg” />

Jodar was outside the Top 900 in March but won three ATP Challenger Tour titles from August to November. His first success came in Greece and he then lifted two trophies in the United States. He is the third Spanish teenager to win at least three Challenger titles, joining 24-time tour-level titlist Carlos Alcaraz and former No. 9 Nicolas Almagro.

Jodar’s journey in tennis began at age six and has been intertwined with that of his close friend and fellow rising talent Landaluce. Both grew up in Madrid and trained at the same tennis club, Club de Tenis Chamartin. Off court, the 19-year-old is a Real Madrid fan.

The 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF will take place from 17-21 December in Jeddah, where Jakub Mensik, Learner Tien, Alexander Blockx, Dino Prizmic, Martin Landaluce, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Nishesh Basavareddy and Jodar will compete. Former champions include Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

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Basavareddy to return to Jeddah

Nishesh Basavareddy has qualified for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF for the second consecutive year.

The American has made significant progress this season, highlighted by his breakout run to the semi-finals of the ATP 250 in Auckland in January. He finally cracked the Top 100 in June, when he climbed to a career-high No. 99 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

After competing for two years with the Stanford University Cardinals, Basavareddy turned professional last year when he earned his spot in Jeddah. The 20-year-old is the second American who will be returning to the Next Gen ATP Finals in 2025, alongside last year’s runner-up Learner Tien.

Basavareddy has long been mentored by Rajeev Ram, the former World No. 1 in doubles and 32-time tour-level doubles champion. Their relationship, which spans over a decade, is rooted in their shared coach, Bryan Smith, and connection to the Indiana tennis community.

The 2025 edition of the innovative 20-and-under event will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 17-21 December. Jakub Mensik, Tien, Alexander Blockx, Dino Prizmic, Martin Landaluce, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer have also qualified for the eighth edition of the tournament. Former champions include Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

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Vacherot, Bublik wins among biggest ATP Tour upsets of 2025

To mark the end of another thrilling season, ATPTour.com is unveiling our annual ‘Best Of’ series, which will reflect on the most intriguing rivalries, matches, comebacks, upsets and more. Today we highlight five standout ATP Tour upsets (not including Grand Slams) from this season.

Shocks are part of the ATP Tour’s DNA, but every season brings a handful that reshape the storylines of the year.

In 2025, there were upsets that shifted momentum, launched careers and, at times, left stadiums stunned into silence. Here, ATPTour.com counts down the five most surprising ATP Tour upsets of the year.

5) Halle, R2: Bublik d. Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
Only twice in 2025 did Jannik Sinner fall before the final of an event, and one of those rare stumbles came courtesy of an inspired Alexander Bublik on the slick lawns at the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle.

Just two weeks after winning only six games in a humbling loss to then-World No. 1 Sinner at Roland Garros, Bublik returned with his unpredictable magic dialled all the way up. On a surface made for his improvisation, the Kazakhstani lit up the ATP 500 event with 36 winners and a fearless mix of touch and power, earning his first victory over a No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings and snapping Sinner’s 66-match winning streak against players outside the Top 20.

“We are tennis players and we try to win every match we play but it is a special one,” Bublik said after toppling the defending Halle champion. “I had never beaten a No. 1 in the world. It is an accomplishment. I kept serving. I tried to be clutch. He is an unbelievable player and I was not thinking that I could beat him.”

Bublik carried that momentum all the way to the Halle title — his first trophy of a four-title, career-best season that eventually lifted him to a career-high World No. 11. Sinner, meanwhile, rebounded in true champion fashion, turning the disappointment into fuel for his maiden Wimbledon triumph three weeks later.

4) Cincinnati R4: Atmane d. Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
Terence Atmane arrived at the Cincinnati Open with a 1-4 tour-level record for the season and left as one of its breakout surprises. Competing as the World No. 136, the French qualifier stunned fourth seed and home favourite Taylor Fritz — one of the ATP Tour’s hottest players over the summer — to reach his maiden ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final.

Against a fully in-form Fritz, who had piled up a Tour-leading 13 grass-court wins and reached the Toronto semi-finals the week prior, Atmane refused to be intimidated. He matched the American’s heavy serving blow for blow, firing 13 aces and winning 82 per cent of first-serve points, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Atmane’s disbelief was evident as he tossed his racquet skyward after striking a drive-volley winner to seal the biggest win of his career. In the quarter-finals, the 23-year-old downed his second Top 10 player of the week, Holger Rune, before falling to Sinner in the last four.

“What a week. What a week, I have to say,” said Atmane, who cracked the Top 100 for the first time. “I’m so happy that finally my work is paying off. But as I said with my coach, this is just a tournament and I need to repeat this kind of level every single week on a daily basis to be at their spot.”

3) Indian Wells R2: Van de Zandschulp d. Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
Some players hope for draws that help them settle in; Botic van de Zandschulp is becoming someone who seems to prefer the opposite. Already known for toppling Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 US Open, the Dutchman added another giant to his list by defeating five-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic at the BNP Paribas Open.

Entering the main draw as a lucky loser, Van de Zandschulp took full advantage. After an uncharacteristically error-strewn opening set, Djokovic began to rediscover his rhythm, but the Dutchman weathered the storm with exceptional scrambling and timely aggression. His decisive break for 3-1 in the final set — in which he hit two exceptional winners — proved the turning point as he closed out a composed win to level their Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 1-1.

“When I reflect on this match, obviously I’ll see a little bit more about what I could have done more, but… he played some really good points to break my serve,” Djokovic admitted. “But just putting myself in that position, I shouldn’t allow myself to do that.”

It was Van de Zandschulp’s first set of back-to-back victories all season, and his eighth career victory over a Top 10 player. It simultaneously handed Djokovic his first three-match losing streak since 2018.

2) Miami R2: Goffin d. Alcaraz 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
David Goffin’s career has always carried a quiet danger. Even when struggling, he can summon the vintage form that he once used against Roger Federer en route to the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals title match.

At the Miami Open presented by Itau, that version of the Belgian reappeared — and Alcaraz was the one caught in the crossfire. After opening the season with five consecutive tour-level defeats, Goffin had rediscovered some traction with a confidence-boosting win over Ben Shelton in Acapulco.

But against Alcaraz, under the Miami lights, he unearthed the ruthlessness and timing that once made him the World No. 7. The 34-year-old absorbed the Spaniard’s shotmaking and countered with flurries of clean, biting winners to complete a stunning comeback — his third straight victory over a Top 3 player.

“It feels amazing. Sometimes some matches are tough and you have to fight, and you’re happy to have a second round like that in a stadium,” said Goffin. “That’s why I continue to play tennis, to have that kind of match in a stadium, to play some good tennis. [I was] just trying to enjoy the moment.”

1) Shanghai SF: Vacherot d. Djokovic 6-3, 6-4
Valentin Vacherot’s breakthrough at the Rolex Shanghai Masters marked the arrival of a new contender, and record four-time champion Djokovic himself was powerless to resist it.

The World No. 204, who came through qualifying, saved his most complete performance of a fairytale week for the semi-finals, where he delivered a calm, clinical upset over the Serbian. Despite Djokovic showing clear physical struggles, Vacherot stayed locked in, dictating rallies with rock-solid baseline hitting and laser-sharp serving to claim the biggest win of his career.

It was the continuation of a dream run, which he completed by defeating his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the final to become the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1000 champion in history. Prior to Shanghai, the Monegasque breakout star had just one ATP Tour win to his name, but now he was an ATP Tour winner and Top 50 player.

“This is just crazy. First of all, to just be on the other side of the court [from Novak] was an unbelievable experience,” said Vacherot, who catapulted 164 spots to No. 40 in the PIF ATP Rankings following his run. “I think I’ve got so much to learn from this match, from him. Even for myself, I’ve got a lot to keep.

“It was an hour and 40 minutes of pure joy, even though not many people wanted me to keep going. He’s really appreciated here. He has won four times. I got a bit lost in all his titles when they were announcing him, but it was an unreal experience.”

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