Tennis News

Nadal hits the slopes, receives fun message from Olympic champion Vonn

Weeks after returning to the spotlight at the Australian Open, where he caught up with countryman Carlos Alcaraz following the final, Rafael Nadal traded the Rod Laver Arena for snow-covered peaks.

The former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings revealed on Saturday that he has gone skiing for the first time in 26 years, sharing the moment with fans on Instagram. Posting photos from the slopes, Nadal wrote: “After 26 years… what an incredible feeling to ski again!”

 

 

 

 

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The Spaniard spent more than two decades carefully managing his body due to the demands of the Tour, meaning skiing was firmly off limits. Now in retirement, the Spaniard is enjoying the freedom to explore new experiences.

The 22-time major champion’s latest outing offers a contrast to his career. In February 2014, Nadal captured ATP Tour titles in Doha and Rio de Janeiro, thriving in the heat and intensity of competition. This time, the setting was cooler and the objective purely recreational.

Among those to respond to Nadal’s post was Olympic gold medallist Lindsey Vonn, who commented: “We have to ski together when I’m healthy!”

The American skier Vonn has regularly engaged with the sport and its stars, praising Jannik Sinner in recent years and even drawing comparisons between the Italian’s composure and that of Roger Federer.

Nadal is the latest star to have hit the slopes, after Andy Murray went on a ski trip with his family in 2025 before he coached Novak Djokovic at the 2025 Australian Open.

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Paul denies Tien, reaches Delray Beach final

Tommy Paul rallied past Learner Tien in an all-American semi-final Saturday at the Delray Beach Open to continue his quest for a fifth ATP Tour trophy. Paul, eight years Tien’s senior, overcame the lefty 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

In a high-quality tussle, Paul showcased superb court coverage and seized control of extended rallies, highlighted by an 18-shot exchange he won to earn set point in the second set.

The 28-year-old rode his momentum from there, racing to a 3-0 lead in the decider. Paul survived a 10-minute service hold at 3-1, saving four break points in that game. He fended off another break point at 4-2, finishing the point at net, and found a forehand winner when facing break point at 5-3. Paul saved six break points in the third set, according to Infosys ATP Stats, to reach the Delray Beach final for the second time (2024).

“He obviously was playing amazing tennis in the first set,” Paul said of Tien. “I was really struggling to stay with him. I felt like he was doing everything a little bit better than me, but I knew I had to mix things up and try to change the rhythm — get to net a little bit more, slice a little bit more. I thought I did a great job switching it up, serve and volleying a bit.

“Second time in the final here in Delray, so I’m really excited for the match tomorrow.”

With his two-hour, 14-minute victory, Paul ended his five-match skid in tour-level semi-finals since winning the ATP 250 in Stockholm in 2024.

Paul entered the week at No. 24 in the PIF ATP Rankings, just one spot below Tien, whom he was facing for the first time. He will next look to improve upon his 2-4 Lexus ATP Head2Head record against countryman Sebastian Korda.

The 25-year-old Korda reached his first ATP Tour final in more than a year by defeating third seed Flavio Cobolli 7-6(1), 6-1. Korda hit 12 aces and won 82 per cent of his second-serve points to avoid trouble against the Italian. He did not face a break point in the 76-minute clash.

“I think it was a great match. I think I served pretty well. I didn’t have too many pressure situations on my serve, and that opens up the returns,” Korda said. “I think I played a great tie-breaker, and then after that, I just started feeling the ball a little bit better, returning a little better and put some pressure on him.” 

The Delray Beach ATP 250 event has always been a happy hunting ground for Korda, who now owns a 10-2 tournament record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. The American made the final in 2021, falling short to Hubert Hurkacz. Korda will try to go one step further in all-American final.

“That’s where you want to be, especially here in the States,” Korda said. “You want these American finals, and it’s definitely going to be an American final, so it’s going to be exciting for sure.”

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What is the Acapulco tennis draw?

Alexander Zverev will compete for the first time since the Australian Open at the ATP 500 in Acapulco, where the German is the top seed.

Zverev, the 2021 champion in Acapulco, learned his place in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC draw on Saturday. The 28-year-old begins against Frenchman Corentin Moutet and is seeded to meet Casper Ruud in the semi-finals.

Second seed Alex de Minaur, who recently won the Rotterdam title, is seeking his third Acapulco crown, having won the trophy in 2023 and 2024.

View the Acapulco draw

Ruud last week returned to action for the first time since becoming a father. The Norwegian, seeded third, reached the Acapulco final in 2024 and will now look to go one step further as he seeks his 15th tour-level title.

Five Top 20 players in the PIF ATP Rankings feature in the Acapulco draw, including last year’s finalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who is seeded fourth. Fifth seed Flavio Cobolli opens against home hope Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez.

Who are the seeds at the 2026 Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC?

Alexander Zverev, Alex de Minaur and Casper Ruud are the top three seeds at the hard-court event. Last year’s finalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Flavio Cobolli, Valentin Vacherot, 2022 finalist Cameron Norrie and Frances Tiafoe round out the top eight seeds.

Who are the past champions in the 2026 Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC?

Two-time champion Alex de Minaur returns to Acapulco. Alexander Zverev (2021) and Grigor Dimitrov (2014) are other former champions in the field.

What are the first-round matches to watch at the 2026 Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC?

Grigor Dimitrov starts against French lefty Terence Atmane. Seventh seed Cameron Norrie meets #NextGenATP star Rafael Jodar. Flavio Cobolli faces the lone Mexican in the draw, last year’s quarter-finalist Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez.

Watch Extended Highlights of the 2025 Acapulco Final:

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Rio de Janeiro SF suspended due to rain

Rain has interrupted play on Saturday evening at the Rio Open presented by Claro.

Vit Kopriva led Tomas Martin Etcheverry 5-4 on Quadra Guga Kuerten in the first singles semi-final of the evening when rain halted play.

The action is scheduled to resume not before 8:45 p.m. local time, the tournament announced on X. The second singles semi-final between Alejandro Tabilo vs. Ignacio Buse has been moved to Quadra 1 from Quadra Guga Kuerten.

⚠️🌧️ Schedule update 🌧️⚠️

Play to resume not before 8:45pm local time.#RioOpen

— Rio Open (@RioOpenOficial) February 21, 2026

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Fonseca/Melo save 1 match point in Rio de Janeiro SF

Joao Fonseca erased singles heartbreak with a thrilling doubles win on Saturday at the Rio Open presented by Claro, where he teamed with fellow Brazilian Marcelo Melo to outlast Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner 6-2, 2-6, 13-11 and reach the championship match.

The Brazilians rallied from a 2-5 deficit and saved a match point at 8/9 in the Match Tie-break before edging the Schnaitter and Wallner in one hour and 29 minutes. In their maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash with the Germans, they won 70 per cent (45/57) of their first-serve points and saved two of the four break points they saved, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Fonseca lost to Ignacio Buse in the second round in singles but returned to the court two days later to reach his maiden tour-level final in doubles. Melo, 23 years Fonseca’s senior, advanced to his 79th tour-level final and will aim to clinch his 41st title on Sunday. The Brazilian veteran claimed the Rio de Janeiro trophy in 2025 alongside countryman Rafael Matos.

The home favourites will face Constantin Frantzen/Robin Haase in the final. Frantzen and Haase upset third seeds Guido Andreozzi and Manuel Guinard 7-6(15), 2-6, 10-8 to reach the final.

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Ruthless Alcaraz wins Qatar Open inside 50 minutes

Carlos Alcaraz thrashes Arthur Fils inside 50 minutes to maintain his unbeaten start to 2026 and win the Qatar Open in Doha.

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Alcaraz reigns again in 2026, flies past Fils for Doha title

Carlos Alcaraz’s blistering surge through 2026 rolled on in Doha where he surged into title glory at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.

The 22-year-old Spaniard delivered another statement performance on Saturday at the ATP 500 event, sweeping past resurgent Frenchman Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-1 in just 50 minutes to secure the trophy. Alcaraz’s triumph in Qatar comes just 20 days after becoming the youngest man in history to complete the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open.

UNSTOPPABLE. UNBEATEN 👑

World No.1 @carlosAlcaraz wins the title in Doha and extends his winning streak to 12-0 in 2026 @QatarTennis | #QatarExxonMobilOpen pic.twitter.com/WivHbArl2l

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 21, 2026

“I came this year hungry for more,” said Alcaraz, who fell in the Doha quarter-finals in 2025. “I think after every tournament, we just have to set new goals. I’m just really happy and proud of everything I have done with my team on and off the court.

“It’s been a really strong start to the year. It wasn’t easy… I had to be strong mentally with my team. I’m just playing great tennis and I’m really happy about this week. This trophy means a lot to me.”

From the outset, Alcaraz dictated terms, striking early and defending with breathtaking athleticism. Even after Fils raised his level and began trading blows from the baseline, the Spaniard repeatedly produced spectacular retrievals and clutch shotmaking to extend his winning streak to 12 matches.

The triumph marked Alcaraz’s ninth ATP 500 trophy, drawing him level with former World No. 1 Andy Murray for the fourth-highest tally in the category since its inception in 2009.

ATP 500 Title Leaders (since series was introduced in 2009)

With his run to a first tour-level final since winning the title in Tokyo in 2024, Fils jumped seven spots to No. 33 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings while he continues his comeback. The former World No. 14 will next compete at the ATP 500 in Dubai, where he faces a rematch with Jiri Lehecka, whom the Frenchman beat in the Doha quarter-finals.

“It’s been eight long months with my injury,” said Fils, who was into his first tour-level final since Tokyo in 2024. “So in a time like this, you just have to think about the last eight months when I was struggling, not playing tennis. I just want to thank my team… Today was not the day but I think we did a hell of a job.”

The Doha showdown marked their first encounter since Alcaraz claimed back-to-back clay victories over the Frenchman in 2025, and their maiden clash on hard courts unfolded in much the same fashion.

Alcaraz now leads Fils 3-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series and has extended his outdoor hard-court winning streak to 30 matches — a run that includes major triumphs at the Australian Open and US Open. By clinching the title in Doha — his 26th tour-level title — Alcaraz now boasts a 292-65 record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

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Pegula beats Svitolina in Dubai for 10th WTA title

Jessica Pegula says she couldn’t have asked for a better start to 2026 after beating Elina Svitolina 6-2 6-4 to win the Dubai Tennis Championships.

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What is the Dubai tennis draw?

Jack Draper will return to ATP Tour action for the first time in seven months when he competes at this week’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

The Briton, who ended his 2025 season early due to injury before returning this month with a Davis Cup victory, is seeded fourth at the ATP 500 event. Draper, the former No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings and reigning Indian Wells champion, will begin his debut campaign in Dubai against a qualifier or lucky loser.

Top seed and last year’s finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime starts his title quest against Zhang Zhizhen, with their Lexus ATP Head2Head series level at 1-1. The Canadian is seeded to face Jiri Lehecka — who opens against resurgent Frenchman Arthur Fils — in the quarter-finals.

View the Dubai draw

Defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas meets 2024 winner Ugo Humbert in a compelling first-round showdown between two former Dubai titlists. Third seed Daniil Medvedev (2023), fifth seed Andrey Rublev (2022) and wild card Stan Wawrinka (2016) round out the group of past champions featured in the main draw.

Wawrinka, contesting the final season of his ATP Tour career, launches his Dubai run against fellow wild card Benjamin Hassan.

Who are the seeds at the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships?

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexander Bublik lead the field as the top two seeds. Daniil Medvedev is seeded third, followed by Jack Draper in fourth and Andrey Rublev in fifth. Jakub Mensik, Karen Khachanov and Jiri Lehecka complete the top eight seeds.

Who are the past champions in the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships?

Five former champions are competing this year: Stefanos Tsitsipas, Ugo Humbert, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Stan Wawrinka.

What are the first-round matches to watch at the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships?

Arthur Fils plays Jiri Lehecka, Stefanos Tsitsipas takes on Ugo Humbert, and Jakub Mensik faces Hubert Hurkacz. 

Watch Extended Highlights of the 2025 Dubai Final:

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Fonseca meets 'everyone's idol' Agassi in Rio

A rising star met tennis royalty on Friday at the Rio Open presented by Claro, where Joao Fonseca shared a special moment with ATP No. 1 Club member Andre Agassi.

The 19-year-old Fonseca has rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting young players on the ATP Tour. Agassi, who spent 101 weeks at No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, represents the gold standard of excellence that the Brazilian is now chasing. Also part of the gathering was Marcelo Melo, Fonseca’s doubles partner this week at the ATP 500 event, with the pair riding a wave of home support into the semi-finals.

Fonseca spent time around Agassi at last year’s Laver Cup, where the American served as Team World Captain and Fonseca made his debut at the teams event. That week provided the teenager with a rare chance to learn from one of the game’s great competitors, soaking in advice and perspective from a player who thrived under the brightest lights.

“He was everyone’s idol,” Fonseca said of Agassi, smiling after Melo revealed that the American had been his own inspiration growing up.

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Fonseca’s title run at the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, where he swept through the field to lift the trophy, cemented his status as one of the sport’s premier young talents. He then carried that momentum into 2025 with two tour-level trophies, reinforcing the belief that Brazil’s newest star is ready to contend on the biggest stages.

Agassi knows better than most what it takes to handle rising expectations. An eight-time major champion and one of the most recognisable figures of his era, the American built a career defined by resilience, reinvention and sustained excellence at the top of the sport.

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