Watson to miss Australian Open because of injury
Heather Watson will miss the Australian Open but says she is on course to return from injury by the end of February.
Heather Watson will miss the Australian Open but says she is on course to return from injury by the end of February.
Some ATP Tour stars will have used the offseason to work on technical aspects of their game, but Taylor Fritz had only a focus on physical recovery ahead of his 2026 season.
“I couldn’t really [target] anything,” Fritz told ATPTour.com in Perth when asked what he had been working on before beginning his season competing for Team USA at the United Cup. “I said at the end of the [Nitto ATP Finals], my goal was really just to try and rehab my knee. I still have pretty serious tendonitis, and that’s something that takes a really long time to get rid of.”
While the injury has been lingering, the No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings does not feel it is serious enough to warrant a complete break from competing on Tour.
“The demands of playing make it a lot harder to get rid of it, but at the same time I don’t really want to go full stop for four months to try to get it better when I feel like I can sometimes play through it,” said Fritz. “Sometimes it gets too bad to play through, but that was really the focus of the six weeks, just doing a lot of rehab and strengthening, and trying to lay out a base where I can maybe start to get it better.
“Maybe a couple of months into the season, I can be over it. That was really the main focus. Just hitting to keep my timing, keep my game, keep my feel, but not overdo it on my knee.”
Four Top-10 players lead the way at the United Cup to start the season 🙌
Read all about our season opener 👉 https://t.co/zoc27UiXcr@emirates | #ATPScoutingReport | #partner pic.twitter.com/B55d6JQtk8
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 2, 2026
While Fritz struggled with his body at times during 2025, he still delivered another rock-solid season as a Top 10 player in the PIF ATP Rankings. The American racked up a 53-23 record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, a tally which included title runs in Eastbourne and Stuttgart, and he also qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals for the third time.
“I think when I was healthy and playing, my level was really high,” reflected Fritz. “It’s easy for me to look at it and be like, ‘Well I finished No. 4 the year before and finished No. 6 last year’, but I spent probably two months of the season injured. I missed the clay-court season, came back from the injury and wasn’t really playing well. So I feel like I didn’t really get to play healthy, outside of Australia, until the end of the clay season.
“So it felt like my season kind of started on grass. Even after that, towards the end of the year, I had some issues as well I was dealing with. So I think just the level that I was producing when I was feeling good and healthy, it got me to where I finished the year. I think that is the main focus moving forward.”
Fritz has increasingly gained a reputation as one of the Tour’s most astute on-court thinkers, and he has often given open answers about tactics in press conferences. He revealed that, while he devises his game plans for each match in collaboration with his coach Michael Russell and the rest of his team, he also enjoys taking the lead when it comes to talking strategy.
“I would say the stuff that Mike brings to me is more the tendencies of my opponents,” said Fritz. “I could do a better job, I guess, of watching full matches of the people I am playing, but he’ll go through and pick out certain parts and show me what he wants me to look at. I trust him a lot on things like an opponent’s tennis and what they are most likely to do in a big moment. I think that’s a really important thing.
“Then as far as structuring points and playing, it’s more I say what I think and hear their opinions. That’s kind of how it’s always been for me. I like to talk and break things down, and if any of my team disagrees with what I’m saying, I want to hear and want to know why they think that. And maybe why we don’t see it the same way. I feel like a lot of the times, when I give a breakdown of how I should structure a point, stuff like that, why I’m doing the things I’m doing, I feel like they do agree with me.”
[ATP APP]Fritz, who will spearhead Team USA’s bid for a third United Cup crown alongside WTA Tour star Coco Gauff, was also clear-minded when asked about the storylines he would be keeping an eye on during the 2026 ATP Tour season.
“I think the biggest storyline is obviously the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry, and if there’s going to be anyone who can step up and challenge that,” said the 10-time tour-level titlist. “I think that is the obvious one. Also seeing how a lot of guys progress. Seeing if any of the really young guys take a step all the way up to competing with Carlos and Sinner.
“I think that might be a little bit of a stretch so soon. I could be wrong, but regardless of that, I think there’s a lot of guys that could get there. Maybe not this year, but definitely take some big strides towards it. The guys I’m excited to see keep improving. The two that come to my mind are Joao [Fonseca] and Learner [Tien].”
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Is this the year that Team USA’s United Cup dominance turns into a dynasty?
Armed with Top 10 stars Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff, and thriving in a format that rewards depth as much as star power, the Americans seem eager to capture their third title in four years. Their campaign begins in Perth, where Group A presents the early tests of Spain and Argentina.
“I think it plays to the strengths of our country,” said Fritz, who begins the year at No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “I think we have such amazing women’s players. Coco’s first year was just last year, and obviously we won it beforehand, as well.
“The first year we had it with the top two men and top two women, I think that favours our country even more in that kind of format.
“It’s great to just feel like we have such a strong team all throughout. For me personally, I’ve always felt like I play a lot better in the team competitions.”
Fritz delivered the defining moment of last year’s final, edging Hubert Hurkacz in a dramatic third-set tie-break to seal the title. It’s a moment that he remembers fondly and will hope to replicate in 2026.
“It was a really cool moment to clinch that, with the occasion as well, in a third-set tie-breaker, and for the United Cup,” Fritz reflected. I think winning in the team events is always more fun, because you have the whole team to kind of celebrate with afterwards.”
Gauff was equally instrumental last year, producing a spotless singles campaign in which she did not drop a set across five wins. The nature of mixed-teams events is one of the major reasons that the 21-year-old is back for the second time.
“Coming off preseason and being able to start the year in a team environment, it’s like the perfect mix of pressure and having fun,” said Gauff. “Last year I remember being super nervous, because I didn’t want to let anyone down, but I was able to come out of that and do pretty well. I’m hoping to be able to do the same.”
The top seeds have entered the chat in Perth! 📲 pic.twitter.com/fxwUQic9KG
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 2, 2026
Italy looms as another Perth powerhouse, boasting depth and confidence after closing last season with Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup triumphs.
Reflecting on his Davis Cup heroics — including when he saved seven match points against Zizou Bergs — Flavio Cobolli said that he was eager to bring another cup home to Italy.
“Winning the Davis Cup was a dream,” Cobolli said. “It’s a great thing for all the country, for the foundation. We are happy to represent Italy every day.
“[After the victory] I’m more confident in my tennis, for sure. But the season is different. Now is the time to be focussed and start well because last year I didn’t. We’ve prepared for the season very, very hard, and we are training a lot. We are ready to start.”
Cobolli’s partner, Wimbledon and Roland Garros finalist Jasmine Paolini, starts the year at No. 8 in the PIF WTA Rankings and is looking for more United Cup success after winning two of her three matches last year.
“It’s another year, another year of experience,” Paolini said. “Hopefully I can bring those experiences to this year and try to keep the level to improve things in my game. That’s the goal.”
Reflecting on appointing countrywoman and United Cup teammate Sara Errani as coach in the off-season, Paolini said, “It was the moment to say officially, to recognise her role in the team. I’m really happy about that. I think she really understands tennis and she really can help our team to perform better.”
Italy’s Group C rivals include France and Switzerland, with the latter led by Belinda Bencic and three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka, who is embarking on his final season as a professional.
“It’s going to be special, but it’s going to be my last year after more than 20 years on Tour,” said Wawrinka. “It’s going to be really special playing all these tournaments that I play so many times for one last time.
“For me, I’m just grateful to be able to play those tournaments again one last time, one more time, to see all the fans around the world. I’m super happy also to discover new cities like here, Perth.”
France, meanwhile, is captained by former World No. 10 Lucas Pouille, a proven leader in team competitions. Pouille famously clinched the decisive fifth rubber in the 2017 Davis Cup final, a moment that underscored France’s pedigree on the international stage.
“We’ve always had a lot of players to compete in this competition,” Pouille said of France. “We were able to win the Davis Cup a couple of times. We are always present in this kind of competition, a team competition, and I really hope that we can make France proud this year at the United Cup.”
Quokkas + Beach = A lovely day out with Team GB 🇬🇧@WestAustralia #WAtheDreamState pic.twitter.com/wXfjHqYLmJ
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 31, 2025
Great Britain also features in Perth, where 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu will make her United Cup debut under the captaincy of Tim Henman. She is joined by Billy Harris, returning for a second consecutive year.
“I think it’s a great way to start the year being part of a team environment,” said Raducanu. “It’s a little bit easier to settle into the year, which is so competitive and individual. It’s nice to share this with the team.
“We all get on really well and have been having a great time off the court and on the court. It’s nice to be a part of that, and it’s such a change from what we usually do. I’m just really happy to represent GB and have the opportunity to also play in such a beautiful place and see Perth.”
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Love is in the air at the United Cup.
Jason Kubler and Maddison Inglis, members of Team Australia at the United Cup, got engaged at Rottnest Island last month.
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“It was super exciting. I didn’t anticipate the hour leading up. I was so nervous. That was crazy. Felt like we were on a first date again,” Kubler said. “Very happy I did it. Very happy Maddy said yes, which is good.”
The longtime partners spent the past month in Perth, with the highlight being their engagement. It was a moment they will never forget.
“It’s very exciting, especially having that time in Perth. It was our first time to Rotto,” Inglis said. “It was such a special spot to do it. It was really exciting.
“It’s been nice to spend these couple weeks together after, to enjoy it. Yeah, it’s super exciting we get to be on Team Australia. We’re looking forward to it.”
The high point of Team Australia’s press conference was the pair discussing their engagement, with Alex de Minaur egging them on.
But now it is down to business for the home side. Kubler and Inglis are the No. 2 singles players in the event for their country and they will do everything they can to help Australia claim glory at the United Cup for the first time.
It also is a chance for them to remain together — at least for another week.
“Not often we can play the same tournaments. When we can, we try,” Kubler said. “To start the year together playing for Australia as well, supporting these guys, is super special. We’re looking forward to the week.”
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Venus Williams, 45, is set to play at the Australian Open for the first time in five years after receiving the final women’s wildcard for the tournament.
World No. 45 Sebastian Baez has given Argentina a 1-0 lead over Spain on Day 1 of the United Cup in Perth.
Competing in his first match at the mixed teams event, the 24-year-old recorded a 6-4, 6-4 win against Jaume Munar in one hour and 43 minutes.
With the victory, Baez secured his first Top 50 win since defeating then-No. 46 Mariano Navone on his way to the title in Rio last February.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Stefanos Tsitsipas is full of renewed vigour as he chases a fresh start in 2026.
The former No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings struggled with a back injury in the second half of the 2025 season and did not compete again after playing two singles rubbers for Greece in the Davis Cup in September. Tsitsipas stepped away to focus on healing and is now feeling rested and refreshed in Perth, where he is preparing to represent Team Greece at the season-opening United Cup.
“I did spend some time recovering. I was absent from the courts for a long time,” reflected Tsitsipas on Thursday at Team Greece’s pre-tournament press conference. “The last three or four tournaments of the season I could barely hold up. So it was important to try and find something that will bring me back again healthy.
“I did all the necessary actions and took all the necessary steps to rehabilitate and get back to what I remember myself being back at. So now so far I think it makes for great feedback, knowing that I’ve done my whole pre-season without any pain, without any discomfort. I’m just hoping that stays this way and I can deliver that starting with United Cup and hopefully for the 2026 season.”
A 12-time tour-level champion, Tsitsipas went 22-16 in 2025, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. The 27-year-old has been trying to rebuild the physical foundation on which his explosive game has always been based.
“The thing that I’m most excited about is trying to see my actual training that I’ve been putting in the last couple of weeks and how it responds in regards also to my back, because my biggest concern has been: can I actually finish a match?” he said. “That was what was going through my mind the past six to eight months. I was constantly thinking, ‘If I win a match, will I be able to come back the next day and play another match without pain?
“I got really scared after my US Open loss with my back, because I just couldn’t walk for two days. When things like that happen, you start reconsidering the future of your career. I’m just hoping 2026 doesn’t bring any of that. I went to actually visit one of the best sports doctors in the world, and he so far is promising to heal me. I’m hoping this stays for 2026. That’s my biggest wish for 2026, is to finish matches and not have to think about any issues regarding my back.”
[ATP APP]Tstisipas’ first opponent of 2026 will be Shintaro Mochizuki. The pair’s maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash will follow a heavyweight WTA meeting between Maria Sakkari and Naomi Osaka as Team Greece and Team Japan face off in Friday’s night session at RAC Arena.
“We’ve played here plenty of times. Perth seems like it’s becoming part of one of the biggest cities of Greece little by little,” said Tsitsipas. “I’m glad that we’re back. It’s a great way to start the season. Couldn’t ask for anything better right now, honestly.
“I’m really hoping each and every one of our teammates is ready and prepared for war. We are going big. We are fighters. We’re Greek, so we’re going to try to make the most out of it.”
Tsitsipas also weighed in on renewing his mixed doubles partnership with Sakkari, herself a former World No. 3 singles player.
“I couldn’t ask for a better partner to play mixed doubles with,” said the Greek ATP Tour star. “I’ve known Maria for a very long time. I feel like our mixed doubles matches have built a lot of trust and confidence in what we’re good at and what we’re not so good at. Obviously there’s a tradeoff. We know our strengths. We know our weaknesses. We try and use that type of information to try and come up with the best doubles strategy and plan whenever we have the chance to play.
“Actually, reflecting on it, we’ve had so many amazing comebacks, but also appearances, including the Olympics. Thinking about it, 15 years ago I would never have pictured myself in a situation like this where I get to be on top of the game that I love the most with the female equivalent from my country.”
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Stefanos Tsitsipas admits he seriously considered retiring from tennis because of serious back pain during the 2025 season.
Rafael Jodar impressed on his Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in Jeddah last month, and the 19-year-old Spaniard has now announced his decision to turn pro ahead of the 2026 season.
Jodar posted on Instagram on Wednesday announcing he would bring his US college career to a close after representing the University of Virginia Hoosiers across 2024 and 2025. The 19-year-old Jodar went 2-1 in Jeddah in December, when he earned group-stage wins against top seed and eventual champion Learner Tien and Martin Landaluce.
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“After a period of deep reflection, careful consideration and many conversations with my family and coaches, I have decided to forgo my remaining college eligibility at UVA and pursure my professional tennis career as of 2026,” wrote Jodar. “My time in college has played a huge role in my growth both as a player and as a person, and I now feel prepared to take this next step and embrace a new challenge in my life.”
Having also won three ATP Challenger titles in 2025, Jodar will begin life as a pro as the No. 168 in the PIF ATP Rankings. He reached his career high of No. 166 in early November, after lifting the third of his three Challenger crowns in Charlottesville.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]The 12 districts of Panem must offer up two tributes to fight in the annual Hunger Games