Tennis News

Federer returns to Australian Open, to play exhibition during Opening Ceremony

Roger Federer will return to the Australian Open in January, taking the court in an exhibition match featuring three other ATP No. 1 Club members: Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt.

The season’s first major will launch a new tradition of having an Opening Ceremony the night before main-draw action begins. The Opening Ceremony will take place on Saturday, January 17 at Rod Laver Arena.

“It feels like a lifetime ago that I coined the phrase the ‘Happy Slam’ for the Australian Open, and it still makes me smile when I think about all the moments I’ve had here,” said Federer, a six-time Australian Open champion, in a press release.

“I’ve experienced so many emotions on Rod Laver Arena… The joy of lifting ‘Norman’ [the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup] six times, the honour of playing in front of Rod Laver himself, the challenge of competing against my biggest rivals, and always the overwhelming love and support of the Australian fans.

“Coming back to win the AO in 2017 is one of my most treasured Grand Slam memories and backing it up to win in 2018 was another dream come true in Melbourne. I can’t wait to come down under again to the AO and create more fantastic moments with all the Aussie fans.”

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Tournament director Craig Tiley added: “I’m thrilled we’re introducing this very special AO Opening Ceremony. While the AO has a reputation for innovation and is renowned for pushing the boundaries, we are also the custodians of a proud 120-year history filled with some of the sport’s greatest champions.

“This inaugural Opening Ceremony will mark the start of a new tennis season in spectacular fashion. I can’t wait to see Roger back on Rod Laver Arena, along with other greats of the game, Andre, Pat and Lleyton. And I know fans across Australia will be just as excited to share this moment with him.”

The 2026 Australian Open runs from 18 January-1 February. Italian Jannik Sinner is the two-time defending champion while Carlos Alcaraz, World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, will be seeking his maiden Melbourne title in pursuit of completing the Career Grand Slam.

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Can young gun Engel come of age in Jeddah?

Being the youngest player in the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF field has historically been a promising sign. Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Joao Fonseca all lifted the trophy as the youngest participants in their respective draws at the event in 2019, 2021 and 2024, and this week, Justin Engel will aim to follow in their footsteps.

The 18-year-old German is the youngest competitor in the eight-man draw, having secured his spot in the tournament after a successful season that included an ATP Challenger Tour title in Hamburg. So, does being the youngest alleviate any pressure? Not for Engel, who, with refreshing confidence, told ATPTour.com on Silver Sands Beach in Jeddah that he doesn’t feel pressure.

“I never have pressure,” Engel said during Monday’s media day. “Of course, I get a little nervous before matches, but that’s normal. If you’re not nervous, you’re not taking your sport seriously. But pressure? No, I don’t feel that.”

Twelve months ago, Fonseca, then 18, was both the lowest-ranked and youngest player in the draw. Yet he powered through his opponents to leave Jeddah with the title, setting the stage for his rapid rise. The Brazilian built on that breakthrough triumph by winning two ATP Tour titles in 2025 and climbing to a career-high No. 24 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Engel is aware of potential comparisons if he were to go deep in Jeddah, especially since he recently became the second-youngest player after Rafael Nadal to win a tour-level match on all three surfaces. However, he remains firmly focused on his own path.

“I don’t really look at what they have done. They won this tournament, but I don’t really think much about it,” Engel said. “I just try to play my best tennis and go on court and have fun, that’s the focus.”

Engel’s love for tennis began at the age of three in Nuremberg, where he grew up idolising Nadal. In 2024, he secured his maiden tour-level win in Almaty, marking a significant milestone in his career. The No. 187 player in the PIF ATP Rankings built on this success with a victory on clay in Hamburg and an impressive quarter-final run at the ATP 250 grass-court event in Stuttgart, showcasing his versatility across surfaces.

“The fans really made a difference for me in Germany, especially in Stuttgart and Hamburg,” Engel said. “Playing in front of them was incredible. Hamburg was my favourite tournament because it’s an ATP 500, and winning against one of my friends, Jan-Lennard Struff, made it even more special. That period was a real boost for me.”

In Saudi Arabia, Engel will hope to bring his best when he meets Alexander Blockx, Dino Prizmic, and Nishesh Basavareddy in the round-robin stage, starting on Wednesday against Blockx.

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Best in class go back to school in Jeddah

It was back to school – albeit briefly – for players in Jeddah Tuesday.

One day ahead of the start of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, the eight competitors gathered for a briefing detailing the innovations, rule changes, history and purpose of the tournament, which annually showcases the sport’s best 20-and-under players.

“It’s nice to be here and to know every rule and also all the things that the staff and everyone behind this big tournament have done for us over the whole year,” said Spain’s Martin Landaluce, who will make his Jeddah debut after serving as last year’s alternate. “It’s nice to be here and to meet the people who are working to make our life better.”

The innovative tournament, first staged in Milan in 2017, features five sets of first-to-four games, reduced time between points, expanded free fan movement, video review and a reduced three-minute warm-up.

A shot clock will keep matches flowing, with no more than eight seconds allowed between first and second serves and a limit of 15 seconds between points that end in fewer than three shots.

“I like the rules,” Landaluce said. “I like to play to four games; it makes the game dynamic and makes players try to start better and be more energetic.”

Players and coaches will have comprehensive data insights available to fine-tune tactics. Live access to ATP Tennis IQ Powered by PIF data that tracks player performance will be available on tablets provided in courtside team boxes, allowing coaches to communicate takeaways to players during matches as part of the normal on-court coaching protocol.

Players and coaches will receive video footage tagged with match data post-match. A dedicated tennis analyst is on site for individual education sessions with teams.

More in-arena match statistics and data analytics will be available to fans.

“Sport is increasingly data driven, so providing these stats and analytics to players, teams and fans represents the future direction of the game,” said Tournament Director Adam Hogg.

The eight players compete in two groups Wednesday through Friday, with the semi-finals on Saturday and final Sunday.

Top seed and last year’s finalist Learner Tien leads Blue Group, which features both Spanish players in the eight-man field – Landaluce and Rafael Jodar – plus Norway’s Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.

Belgian Alexander Blockx heads Red Group, which also features Croatian Dino Prizmic, returning American Nishesh Basavareddy and 18-year-old German Justin Engel, the youngest player in the field.

See Day 1 schedule

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ATP & Rolex renew global partnership, strengthening an iconic shared tennis legacy

The ATP has today announced the renewal of its long-standing partnership with Rolex. The Swiss watchmaker continues as the Official Timekeeper and Gold Partner of the ATP.

Rolex’s relationship with tennis dates back to 1978, and the brand has since gone on to support many of the most prestigious events on the ATP Tour. Through the renewal, Rolex will remain the Official Timekeeper of the ATP Tour, an Official Partner of the Nitto ATP Finals, the ATP’s flagship season finale, and the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF for the world’s top 20-and-under players, reinforcing its commitment to young talent and the future of the game.

Rolex will maintain year-round brand visibility across the ATP’s social and digital platforms, with content providing match start times and game durations, reaching a global fanbase of over one billion.

Daniele Sano, ATP Chief Business Officer, said: “It’s difficult to understate the commitment Rolex has shown towards our sport and the ATP Tour. For almost 50 years, it has championed the qualities that define tennis – elegance, prestige, and precision. As a valued partner of the ATP since 2005, we’re proud to reinforce such an iconic legacy.”

Arnaud Boetsch, Rolex Director of Communication and Image, said: “Rolex is proud to reaffirm its long-standing commitment to tennis. While celebrating the dedication and remarkable performances at the highest levels of the game, Rolex supports the leading tournaments, governing bodies and players, as they continue to shape the future of the sport.”

Rolex is also an Official Partner of all ATP Masters 1000 events, as well as the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, The Championships, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Beyond tennis, the brand holds a significant presence across global sport, including golf, motorsport, yachting and equestrianism.

Rolex counts several leading ATP athletes among its family of Testimonees, including current World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and World No. 2 Jannik Sinner, alongside Ben Shelton, João Fonseca and tennis legends Roger Federer and Björn Borg.

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Scouting Report: Tien, Landaluce, Blockx eye success in Jeddah

After a year of thrilling competition, the 2025 ATP Tour season reaches its conclusion this week at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Eight of the best 20-and-under players will battle for the title, with the action beginning Wednesday at King Abdullah Sports City.

Last year’s finalist, Learner Tien, headlines the field following a breakthrough season. He is set for his second consecutive appearance and will aim to go one better this year after losing to Joao Fonseca in the 2024 final.

Making their Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF debuts are Alexander Blockx, Dino Prizmic, Martin Landaluce, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Rafael Jodar and Justin Engel, while American Nishesh Basavareddy joins Tien as the only two returners.

Ahead of the innovative event, ATPTour.com looks at the key storylines to follow in Jeddah.

1) Tien Out For Redemption: Tien returns to Jeddah, this time as the top seed and leading contender, aiming to avenge his loss in last year’s final to Fonseca. The 20-year-old American has enjoyed a breakthrough 2025 season, highlighted by his maiden tour-level title in Metz, a run to the final at the ATP 500 event in Beijing, and five victories over Top 10 opponents. Now at a career-high No. 28 in the PIF ATP Rankings, he intends to cap his memorable season by capturing the title.

2) Landaluce & Jodar Represent Spain: Close friends and countrymen, Landaluce and Jodar are set for their debuts in Jeddah, a leap from their supporting roles last year as an alternate and hitting partner, respectively. In 2025, Landaluce lifted the trophy at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Orleans, France and advanced to the second round at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati. Jodar, who currently plays for the University of Virginia, qualified for Jeddah after winning three Challenger titles in the final three months of the season. They’re both placed in the Blue Group alongside Tien and Budkov Kjaer.

3) Basavareddy Returns, Backed By Cervara: Basavareddy is back for his second consecutive year in Jeddah. He returns with a solid foundation, having secured tour-level match wins in Cincinnati, Winston-Salem, and Hangzhou, and reaching the semi-finals in Auckland at the beginning of the season. He now aims for bigger results under the guidance of new coach Gilles Cervara, who led Daniil Medvedev to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

4) Engel, Youngest Player, Hunts Glory: 18-year-old Engel is the youngest player in the field and the first German ever to qualify. This season, he became the first player born in 2007 to win a Challenger title (Hamburg), and the second-youngest player (after Rafael Nadal) to earn a tour-level win on all three surfaces. Engel now hopes to join Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Fonseca as the only 18-year-old winners of the event.

5) Budkov Kjaer Leads Five Former Junior Grand Slam Champions: Norwegian Budkov Kjaer enjoyed a breakout season, winning a Tour-leading four ATP Challenger Tour titles. The 2024 Wimbledon boys’ champion is one of five players in the field to have captured a junior Grand Slam title, alongside fellow titlists Landaluce (US Open 2022), Blockx (Australian Open 2023), Prizmic (Roland Garros 2023), and Jodar (US Open 2024).

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ATP announces new rules over playing in extreme heat

The ATP introduces a new extreme heat rule from 2026 which will allow players on the men’s tour to take a 10-minute cooling break during best-of-three sets singles matches.

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Djokovic to compete in Adelaide

Novak Djokovic will return to Adelaide, tournament organisers revealed Tuesday in Australia.

The Serbian will compete in the Adelaide International, an ATP 250 event that will take place from 12-17 January.

“It definitely felt like playing at home, that’s for sure,” Djokovic said after claiming glory two years ago in Adelaide. “The support that I’ve been getting in the last 10 days, I don’t think I’ve experienced too many times in my life, so thank you so much for everyone for coming out every single match.”

Watch Highlights: Djokovic vs. Korda in 2023 Adelaide final

Djokovic has competed in Adelaide twice before. The former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings triumphed in the South Australian city in 2007 and again in 2023. Two years ago, he defeated Daniil Medvedev and Sebastian Korda in the semi-finals and final, respectively.

Other entrants in the Adelaide International include Jack Draper, Joao Fonseca, Tommy Paul and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

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Cilic's comeback leads five Challenger moments to remember from 2025

From Marin Cilic’s record-breaking comeback to Emilio Nava’s dominant run and Mark Lajal’s emotional triumph, ATPTour.com highlights five moments to remember from the 2025 ATP Challenger season.

Cilic circles back to Challengers, becomes oldest grass-court champion
After undergoing two knee surgeries in the past two years, Cilic made an emphatic return to the ATP Challenger circuit. At the Girona Challenger in March, the Tour-veteran secured his first Challenger title since 2007, surpassing Andy Murray for the longest span (17 years, 10 months) in between Challenger trophies.

“You have to accept that I’m not Top 100, Top 50 anymore, so you can’t just pick and choose any tournament you want to play. It’s time to put the head down, work, get back to Challengers and grind it out,” the former No. 3 told ATPTour.com in April. “That was for me the first step and then afterwards, it’s putting the mindset in, still having motivation to battle it out with young guns, to compete and play well.”

🏆 Rijeka 2007
🏆 Girona 2025

At 17 years and 10 months, @cilic_marin now holds the record for longest gap between Challenger Tour titles!#ATPChallenger | @atptour pic.twitter.com/UOcnvyGeHZ

— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) March 30, 2025

Cilic again broke another record of Murray’s at the Nottingham Challenger. At 36 years and eight months, the 2017 Wimbledon finalist became the oldest grass-court Challenger titlist, a feat that Murray had achieved just two years earlier at the same tournament. The Croatian, who reached the fourth round of Wimbledon, finished the year at No. 75 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Nava navigates month of dominance
For one entire month, Nava was unstoppable. The American built a 19-match winning streak and had won 35 consecutive sets, one shy of tying David Goffin’s Challenger record set in 2014. Nava had won three consecutive titles, triumphing on clay in Asuncion, Concepcion and Sarasota.

Nava reached the final of Tallahassee and held a one-set lead, inching closer at joining Guillermo Coria (2000) and Tallon Griekspoor (2021) as the only players to win four Challenger titles in as many consecutive tournaments, but Chris Rodesch spoiled Nava’s hopes with a three-set victory.

Lajal saves 5 MPs in Bloomfield Hills, dedicates title to late grandfather
The Estonian delivered a courageous performance to dramatically fend off five championship points to win the Bloomfield Hills Challenger and capture his second title at ATP Challenger level. That same day, thousands of miles away in Estonia, Lajal’s grandfather, Tõnu, was laid to rest.

Lajal wrote an Instagram post, dedicating his biggest career trophy to his grandfather, who was closely following the 22-year-old’s career. Lajal dispatched Andres Martin 6-7(7), 7-5, 7-6(9) in a three-hour, 22-minute final before lifting the trophy in the air and looking up to the sky.

“It was very nice to do it because they had a ‘sending away’ with our family in Estonia on the day of the final,” Lajal told ATPTour.com. “I think everything was perfect timing.”

With Nadal watching, Rincon completes full-circle triumph at Rafa Nadal Academy
Daniel Rincon was leading 2-0 in his second-round match at the ATP Challenger event held at Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, and he suddenly froze. The Spaniard spotted Rafael Nadal himself watching from the stands. “I saw him looking and I lost six games in a row,” Rincon said with a laugh. “I got a bit tight there.”

The nerves did not derail Rincon for long. The 22-year-old regrouped, won the match and went on to capture the trophy at the very place where he trained and graduated from in 2021. While competing in the final, Rincon again spotted the former World No. 1 Nadal watching, although the match was almost halfway over, so Rincon “didn’t have too much time to think about it”.

<img alt=”Daniel Rincon celebrates winning the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar.” style=”width:100%” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/09/17/21/32/rincon-manacorch-2025.jpg” />
^{Daniel Rincon wins the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar. Credit: Alvaro Diaz/Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar}

Burruchaga survives seven-hour Sunday to claim Piracicaba crown
Roman Andres Burruchaga endured a marathon Sunday at the Piracicaba Challenger, where he spent nearly seven hours on court in one day, due to heavy rain all week postponing several matches.

Burruchaga won a three-hour, two-minute semi-final against home hope Gustavo Heide before returning to court and winning the second-longest Challenger final in history (three hours, 45 minutes). The Argentine saved a championship point, surviving countryman Facundo Mena 7-6(8), 6-7(6), 7-6(4) to lift the Brasil Tennis Challenger trophy.

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New Heat Rule effective from 2026

The ATP Board has approved the introduction of a new heat rule that will come into effect from the 2026 season, aligning the ATP’s approach with that of the WTA and strengthening protections for players competing in extreme conditions.

The new regulation is based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and introduces clear thresholds for cooling measures and suspension of play in best-of-three singles matches.

Key Provisions

10-Minute Cooling Break
Cooling measures will be implemented when the WBGT reaches 30.1°C or higher during the first two sets of best-of-three singles matches. When activated, a 10-minute cooling break after the second set may be requested by either player and will apply to both players in singles.

During the break, players may utilise cooling measures, hydrate, change clothing, shower and receive coaching, under the supervision of ATP medical staff.

Suspension of Play
Play will be suspended when the WBGT exceeds 32.2°C.

Player Health and Safety
The new heat rule provides a structured, medically supported approach to managing extreme heat, with the objective of safeguarding player health, while also improving conditions for spectators, officials, ball persons, and tournament staff.

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Budkov Kjaer, Landaluce & old scores to settle in Jeddah

The stars competing at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF may have had a fun time taking in a spot of jet skiing at Silver Sands Beach in Jeddah on Monday afternoon, but that hasn’t stopped them from getting straight down to business and eyeing their group-stage opponents.

Behind the smiles and wisecracks, the message is clear: Friendships pause the moment the first ball is struck.

Debutant Nicolai Budkov Kjaer arrives in Jeddah having claimed a Tour-leading four ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2025, yet his opening match on Wednesday brings a familiar obstacle: Martin Landaluce, who has beaten the Norwegian in all three of their meetings this season. Add to that the lingering memory of last year’s US Open boys’ final — where Budkov Kjaer fell to Rafael Jodar, who is also in the Blue Group.

“Especially Martin and Rafa here,” 19-year-old Budkov Kjaer said of his biggest rivals in Jeddah. “We’re the same age and they’ve always had the edge and I’ve never had the chance to beat them. It’s always been tight, but they have had the edge…

“Maybe because the Spanish develop faster than us up in the north [of Europe]. They were some of my rivals when I was young, so it’s fun to see them here.”

<img alt=”Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/15/19/58/jeddah-2025-media-day-selfie.jpg” />_{^{Media Day at Silver Sands Beach in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour.}}

Landaluce, for his part, sees opportunity rather than comfort in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. With pre-season changes made and the Next Gen ATP Finals spotlight shining brighter, the Spaniard knows past results offer no guarantees.

“I’ve beaten him three times this year, but I think in our match he will change some things,” Landaluce said. “After the pre-season, he has changed many things, so we’ll see what happens.”

Landaluce’s task doesn’t stop there. He is chasing top seed and last year’s finalist Learner Tien, who is the final member of the Blue Group.

“Learner is the first one [on my mind], but everyone is a good player,” Landaluce said with a smile. “I’ve played with some of them and they were very tough matches. So hopefully I’ll play many matches here and see which one is the toughest.”

In the Red Group, history also runs deep. Alexander Blockx and Dino Prizmic have been crossing paths since they were 11, a rivalry forged in juniors and sharpened by Grand Slam glory in 2023 — Blockx lifting the Australian Open boys’ trophy, Prizmic following with the title at Roland Garros.

Now, they make their Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF debuts together in Jeddah.

“I would say my biggest rival is Dino,” Blockx said. “We’ve played each other six times, and I think he’s won four. Every year we’ve been close to each other. He has been injured a lot in the past couple of years, but even with those injuries, he’s playing at an unbelievable level.

“I would say he’s one of the most consistent guys on the Tour, so I think I would see him as my biggest rival.”

<img alt=”Alexander Blockx, Nishesh Basavareddy” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/15/19/46/blockx-basavareddy-jeddah-2025-media-day.jpg” />_{^{Alexander Blockx will make his Jeddah debut while Nishesh Basavareddy returns. Photo: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour.}}

Prizmic responds with respect — and realism. In a field this deep, he believes every match carries equal danger, even if Blockx’s words linger.

“I think every player is my biggest rival here,” said Prizmic, who won two ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2025. “But if Alex said me, maybe I will say [him] because we are in the same group. He has very good movement on the court, a very good forehand and very good serve. He’s also so close to the baseline and it’s very hard to play against him.”

With shorter sets to four games, no-Ad scoring and slim margins for error, the innovative Next Gen ATP Finals format could punish slow starts. Tien, one of only two returning players in the field, knows this all too well.

“No one really has that much experience playing this format, so it can be a toss up,” Tien said. “I think it makes it a little bit more exciting because slow starts can kind of take you out of matches pretty quick, so I think it’s exciting. I think it’s fun to watch and it’s fun to play and I’m looking forward to it.”

<img alt=”Learner Tien” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/15/19/48/tien-jeddah-2025-media-day.jpg” />_{^{Learner Tien is the top seed and defending finalist. Photo: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour.}}

While some arrive with specific names circled, Jodar takes a broader view. With eight players capable of winning on any given day, the 19-year-old’s focus is less on rivals and more on readiness.

“I don’t have any big rivals… I just know that we are eight good players, and we all have a very high level, so it will be a fun tournament to follow,” said Jodar, who rose over 700 spots in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2025. “I wish all the players the best luck because it’s a great tournament against those top guys.

“At the end of the day, everyone is good, so you have to step on the court and try to do the things that you know — that’s what I’m trying to do.”

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