2025 ATP General News

[MargaretMcAleer]

In appearing at the AO 2026, Novak Djokovic will make his 81st appearance in a Grand Slam, equalling Roger Federer and Felciano Lopez for the most appearances in Men's Singles Grand Slams during the Open Era!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley is in advanced talks to become the next CEO of the USTA. Tiley has been the tournament director for the Australian Open since 2006 and has run the Australian tennis governing body since 2013. That experience dove tails with the set up at the USTA, which owns and operates the US Open. Should he sign a contract in the next few weeks, its unclear if he would stay on in his current job through the AO, which runs from January 12 to February 1.Attempts to reach Tiley via email and LindekIn weren't returned, a representative for Elevate, which was retained in July to run the process, declined to comment.
The US Governing body has been run by two interim Co-CEOs - board chairman Brian Vahaly and Andrea Hirsch - since former CEO Lew Sherr left to join the New York Mets earlier this year.

Source. Sportico.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Arthur Fils who recently was doing a training block at Rafa Nadals Tennis Academy will make his comeback on tour in Hong Kong ( January 5-11) Fils suffered back fracture, and has been off the tour since May 2025.

 

[Fiero425]

Just heard Novak has hired another conditioning coach for "Team Dokovic!" It's Dr. Mark Kovacs; formally of "Team Coco Gauff!"

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Here are the groups for the Next Gen Finals which start on Wednesday,
Blue Group,
Learner Tien, Martin Landaluce, Budkova Kjaer and Rafael Jodar.

Red Group,
Alexnander Blockx, Dino Prizmic, Nishesh Basavareddy, Justin Engel.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The ATP Board of Directors approved implementation of a new heat rule effective from 2026 season.
Key provisions,
- Cooling breaks to be introduced
- A ten minute break after 2nd set will be permitted if requested by either player
- Play will be suspended when WBGT exceed 32.2.C ( only the Australian Open has something like that in place, is close to 90 degree F.)

 

[Kieran]

The ATP Board of Directors approved implementation of a new heat rule effective from 2026 season.
Key provisions,
- Cooling breaks to be introduced
- A ten minute break after 2nd set will be permitted if requested by either player
- Play will be suspended when WBGT exceed 32.2.C ( only the Australian Open has something like that in place, is close to 90 degree F.)

This kind of care is necessary in that heat - it’s also open to abuse by players will drag that 10 minutes break into infinity until they gain control again of their frazzled emotions in a losing position..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

This kind of care is necessary in that heat - it’s also open to abuse by players will drag that 10 minutes break into infinity until they gain control again of their frazzled emotions in a losing position..

I feel the umpire has to not let players exceed the ten minute break, to give an advantage to either player, these 10 minute rules have already been introduced in the WTA Tour so far players havent abused the time limit.

 

[Fiero425]

Read online that Novak Djokovic set to headline in Adelaide next Jan. before his attempt to win Major #25 at Aussie Open in 2026!

 

[Kieran]

Read online that Novak Djokovic set to headline in Adelaide next Jan. before his attempt to win Major #25 at Aussie Open in 2026!

Did he mention any bottles?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jack Draper has withdrawn from another exhibition tournament, Macau Tennis Masters, being held December 27th and 28th, no official reason was provided, but his ongoing arm issue is the obvious cause. Draper's last appearance was at the US Open, he withdrew in the 2nd round.
This latest news raises doubts whether Draper will be ready for the start of 2026, Draper and Raducanu were previously announced for the United Cup scheduled for January 2nd to 11th.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Next Gen ATP Finals
Order of play,
Wednesday 17th December ( day 1 )
Starts at 2pm local time,
D.Prizmic ( CRO) vs N.Basavareddy (6) (USA)

Not before 3.00pm,
A.Blockx (BEL) (2) vs J.Engel (GER) (8)

Not before 7.00pm,
L.Tien (USA) (1) vs R.Jodar (ESP) (7)
M.Landaluce (ESP) (4) vs N.Budkova Kjaer (NOR) (5)

People in the UK can watch via Sky Sports
People in the USA can watch via Tennis Channel
People in Australia can watch via beIN Sports Australia

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Carlos Alcaraz parts ways with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero: https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_...lcaraz-ends-pairing-coach-juan-carlos-ferrero

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

That's wild to see him make a change like that before Australia as he goes for a career slam.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

That's wild to see him make a change like that before Australia as he goes for a career slam.

Sunday Hi!
There has been rumors that JCF did not agree with Carlos decision to play the 2 exhibitions after he suffered that edema in his leg, which could have led to more serious injury, he was warned about by his doctors, though Carlos played and he appeared to be okay. That could have been the 'catalyst of the break up, JCF wanted Carlos to have more training time, and I know JCF didnt want to travel a lot, he has a young family and also his own academy to run as well
Though JCF has posted " We have been an incredible team despite the difficulties I wish I could have continued" " I am convinced that good memories and good people always find a way to cross paths again".

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

According to Marca, Samuel Lopez remains as coach of Alcaraz for the upcoming season, he has been on Alcaraz's coaching team since December 2024

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jannik Sinner is the 2025 Singles ITF World Champion for a second year in a row!
In 2025, Jannik reached 4 out of 4 slam finals, won 2 of them, one being the first ever Wimbledon trophy claimed in Italian tennis history!

 

[don_fabio]

Sunday Hi!
There has been rumors that JCF did not agree with Carlos decision to play the 2 exhibitions after he suffered that edema in his leg, which could have led to more serious injury, he was warned about by his doctors, though Carlos played and he appeared to be okay. That could have been the 'catalyst of the break up, JCF wanted Carlos to have more training time, and I know JCF didnt want to travel a lot, he has a young family and also his own academy to run as well
Though JCF has posted " We have been an incredible team despite the difficulties I wish I could have continued" " I am convinced that good memories and good people always find a way to cross paths again".

I didn't know that JCF wanted Carlos to train more and recover in the off season by not participating in exhos. That's an interesting piece of information or may we say rumors.

Most likely reason for a split is that Ferrero wants more time with his family. Still it suprised me that it came before AO. Hope this doesn't have negative effects on Carlos going forward and he will need to add someone else in his team beside Lopez. Some other Spanish guy?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I didn't know that JCF wanted Carlos to train more and recover in the off season by not participating in exhos. That's an interesting piece of information or may we say rumors.

Most likely reason for a split is that Ferrero wants more time with his family. Still it suprised me that it came before AO. Hope this doesn't have negative effects on Carlos going forward and he will need to add someone else in his team beside Lopez. Some other Spanish guy?

Hi Don!
Well honestly I didnt see it coming, still Carlos is an adult now and he can make his own choices, I guess, he still has Lopez in his team, as a co coach since 2024
Personally I dont think it will have negative effects on Carlos going forward, he is such a gifted athlete,
It will be a interesting AO this year, as Carlos will try to complete his career slam, Sinner going for a 3 peat,

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

First upset at this years Next Gen ATP Finals as Rafael Jodar saves 4 MPs to defeat world no 28 and favorite Learner Tien 1-4 4-3 4-2 4-3.
Tien served for the match at 3-1 ( 30-0) It was funny hearing from Jodar's team "Vamos Rafa"
BTW, Jodar went 39-12 (.765) on the ATP Challenger Tour this season. Was named ITIA Tennis National Rookie of the year as well.