2025 ATP General News

[MargaretMcAleer]

There are rules as to how many 250s top players can play, already. But, yeah, I would see them restricted. Ferrer won 16 250s, and so did Davydenko, who i know for sure played a lot of them as a top player. it's what kept him in the top ranks. Not sure how many Ferrer played when he was in the top 5-10, but I'd guess fewer. Which brings us to Djokovic. He just got to his 101st title in Athens. How is it going to go down amongst the fans if he wins 3 more 250s to pass Federer's total of 103 titles, with no more bigger ones, or especially with no big ones?

Also, as to Djokovic and General News, he says he'll retire after the 2028 Olympics, playing for Serbia. Personally, I have a hard time believing that, if he continues to lose in the big moments against the current #1 and #2. Will he really keep taking it on the chin for 2 and a half more years, just to play the Olympics again? What does everyone else think?

It will be all about how he manages his body for starters, his body at present is breaking down, he will have to find a 'balance' he cannot leave it too long before tournaments because that is where you can pick up injuries, niggling ones, if he wants to play a major he will have to play a tournament nearer to a major, that is my opinion
Personally he has won his Gold Medal at the Olympics, I dont understand why he wants to play another Olympic's.given what age he will be in the LA Olympics, I dont think he will medal, if he wants to play, that is his choice

 

[Moxie]

It will be all about how he manages his body for starters, his body at present is breaking down, he will have to find a 'balance' he cannot leave it too long before tournaments because that is where you can pick up injuries, niggling ones, if he wants to play a major he will have to play a tournament nearer to a major, that is my opinion
Personally he has won his Gold Medal at the Olympics, I dont understand why he wants to play another Olympic's.given what age he will be in the LA Olympics, I dont think he will medal, if he wants to play, that is his choice

While he gets more niggling injuries than he used to, it doesn't seem like Nadal or Federer, who basically couldn't play anymore, and HAD to quit. He is definitely gifted, in terms of his physical health. I just wonder if his ego will hold out. And I don't say that in a bad way. It takes a strong ego to be a top player. But how much fun is it going to be if he keeps playing 2nd/3rd/4th fiddle to the now-top players? But that's my opinion. Maybe he'll be happy if he can stay at this level, and finish at the Olympics.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

While he gets more niggling injuries than he used to, it doesn't seem like Nadal or Federer, who basically couldn't play anymore, and HAD to quit. He is definitely gifted, in terms of his physical health. I just wonder if his ego will hold out. And I don't say that in a bad way. It takes a strong ego to be a top player. But how much fun is it going to be if he keeps playing 2nd/3rd/4th fiddle to the now-top players? But that's my opinion. Maybe he'll be happy if he can stay at this level, and finish at the Olympics.

Novak is no where near what happened to Roger or Rafa, whose body told them 'enough is enough'
Remember Shanghai he had the trainer out in every match with a different body issue, he had great draw, and lost to a French WC?
Then he decided after he won 250 Athens tournament he had a ongoing shoulder issue and could not play Turin? please he knew he wasnt going to play Turin I think that was selfish on his part, and Musetti didnt have much time to prepare for Turin
Lets see how Novak goes in 2026 which could be a 'telling year' for him

 

[El Dude]

There are rules as to how many 250s top players can play, already. But, yeah, I would see them restricted. Ferrer won 16 250s, and so did Davydenko, who i know for sure played a lot of them as a top player. it's what kept him in the top ranks. Not sure how many Ferrer played when he was in the top 5-10, but I'd guess fewer. Which brings us to Djokovic. He just got to his 101st title in Athens. How is it going to go down amongst the fans if he wins 3 more 250s to pass Federer's total of 103 titles, with no more bigger ones, or especially with no big ones?

Yeah, it doesn't really bother me. Roger has plenty of smaller titles - a lot more than Novak. Novak's earned his keep with big titles.

Also, as to Djokovic and General News, he says he'll retire after the 2028 Olympics, playing for Serbia. Personally, I have a hard time believing that, if he continues to lose in the big moments against the current #1 and #2. Will he really keep taking it on the chin for 2 and a half more years, just to play the Olympics again? What does everyone else think?

I agree with this, though think he'll re-assess after the break and see how he shows up in Australia. I mean, he did beat Carlos in Oz earlier this year, though Carlos started a bit wobbly. I suppose another option is that he plays for Serbia via doubles in 2028, or show up in a more symbolic fashion and just do his best but not expect much. But it is hard to imagine he'll be anywhere close to Olympics gold form then at the tender age of 41, and frankly I wouldn't be surprised if he's partially retired a year from now.

I'll start a 2026 speculation thread soon and then we can all share our Novak thoughts for next year.

 

[El Dude]

One more thought about Novak. Right now there's a big gap between Sincaraz and him, but there's no one else on tour that I'd pick over Novak in a late Slam match. That could change in the next year or two as Fonseca comes into his own and hopefully other 21st century babies continue to develop. The Next Gen guys are pigeons to Novak, and many are already in decline, but the younger guys might be harder to get by within the next year or so.

 

[kskate2]

But this assumes that the 250 should in any way be driven by "star power." It shouldn't. And it isn't, usually. Did you watch any of that Athens event? The seats were pretty empty for most of it. I forgot to notice when Novak was playing, but I'm guessing folks turned out. But star power drives the money to the Majors, the 1000s, and even the 500s. That extra money that Gaudenzi is talking about? It should be there to support the 250s so that we have a viable top 250 or so players to keep the game competitive. And the local federations should support them, to give their players somewhere local to make their bones.

IMO, we don't need another 1000, but if they're going to take blood money from the Saudis, put it into the 250s. They should in NO way reduce the number of 250s if they're looking to support lower-ranked players and keep the talent base healthy.

I'm not saying it should be driven by a top player, but normally they do draw more crowds unless there's a local talent surging in the tourney. As to Athens, no I saw none of it. Really sad if Greece can't pull in the numbers. Most of the European 250s I've watched don't have an issue drawing the crowds.

As to Djoke, I can see him staying around for another 3 years if only to claim a couple of 250s every year in an attempt to catch Jimbo. If his ranking falls out of the top 10, then he could actually play more 250s

 

[Moxie]

As to Djoke, I can see him staying around for another 3 years if only to claim a couple of 250s every year in an attempt to catch Jimbo. If his ranking falls out of the top 10, then he could actually play more 250s

Really? Beating (and losing to) 2nd, 3rd and 5th tier guys, waiting for the next Olympics? As my expensive hairstylist said to my director on a fashion job, when he told her he had started cutting his own hair: "Well, if that's what you WANT it to look like...." Personally, I don't think does picture the end of his career like that.

 

[kskate2]

Really? Beating (and losing to) 2nd, 3rd and 5th tier guys, waiting for the next Olympics? As my expensive hairstylist said to my director on a fashion job, when he told her he had started cutting his own hair: "Well, if that's what you WANT it to look like...." Personally, I don't think does picture the end of his career like that.

Welp, as far as slams and big tourneys go, the writing's been on the wall for awhile and I've been saying all along I can't believe he wants to stay out there and take those beatings. But the fact that he's still out there kind of tells you his mindset.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

The way I see it, the 250 should be a developmental series, like the lower series in F1 or NASCAR. If anything, there should be an age limit. I'd prefer it be unlimited for U21/U22, and a limit of 2 such events for 21/22 and over.

 

[don_fabio]

Also, as to Djokovic and General News, he says he'll retire after the 2028 Olympics, playing for Serbia. Personally, I have a hard time believing that, if he continues to lose in the big moments against the current #1 and #2. Will he really keep taking it on the chin for 2 and a half more years, just to play the Olympics again? What does everyone else think?

I watched an interview with Novak on his native language he made about 5 months ago and he really seems obsessed with OG. He said he loves the energy, so many olympians out there, the crowd, playing for the country. He says it something special, so it's quite possible he plays in LA. I just hope it's not dubs, he's an awful dubs player.

On another hand, when it comes to competing on tour for the foreseeable future, he says he still has internal fire and desire to compete. The moment that goes away he said he is going to stop. So if I understood him right, it's not all about the results, but a love for tennis too. He said he still enjoys to beat the other player, outsmart him on the court etc.

I think he made a right decision by skipping the YEC. He regrets how he went into 2024 season. Played until late November 2023 and started before the New Year (in a team event format - something he could not resist at the time). Then against Sinner in AO SF he was not there mentally and really flat. Perhaps with a good preparation for the next season he can benefit from it, maybe tweak a few things here and there. Maybe now he can enjoy it more on the court without the pressure. I think it is good for tennis that he is still out there and for him is probably just another challenge in the journey.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

One more thought about Novak. Right now there's a big gap between Sincaraz and him, but there's no one else on tour that I'd pick over Novak in a late Slam match. That could change in the next year or two as Fonseca comes into his own and hopefully other 21st century babies continue to develop. The Next Gen guys are pigeons to Novak, and many are already in decline, but the younger guys might be harder to get by within the next year or so.

Apart from Fonseca agree he needs a couple of years to come into his own, what about Jack Draper? of course the biggest question mark is his body breaking down, still he finished the year in the Top Ten, didnt play a full year, due to injury, maybe when fit he could challenge the Top 2

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Next and final tournament is the DC Final, to be played in Bologna from November 18-23 on indoor hard court
Italy is defending champions
QF,
Italy vs Austria
France v Belgium
Spain v Czechia
Argentina v Germany

On Tuesday France will play Belgium
France, Rinderknech, Moutet, Perricard, Bonzi, Herbet
Belgium Bergs, Collignon, Blockx, Miedler, Erler.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

BTW there was some concern Alcaraz, who said he felt something in his hamstring, but he said it did not hamper his performance in the ATP Final, he has confirmed he is flying to Bologna tomorrow to prepare for the DC finals
Apparently the discomfort started in his match in the SFs, he will have a scan tomorrow, though he and his team arent concerned

 

[El Dude]

Apart from Fonseca agree he needs a couple of years to come into his own, what about Jack Draper? of course the biggest question mark is his body breaking down, still he finished the year in the Top Ten, didnt play a full year, due to injury, maybe when fit he could challenge the Top 2

I think there's a handful of guys who will settle in as "sub-Sincaraz" lesser elites: Draper, Shelton, Mensik, maybe Fils if he comes back OK, Rune maybe, and now I'm hoping for a renaissance from our old friend Auger-Aliassime. Tien is looking more and more like a future top 10 guy, too. But Fonzie is the only one that looks like a future challenger to Sincaraz. Even that is too soon to be a sure thing, but the potential is there.

To me Draper is more of a Tsonga. He can be hard to beat, and will get a few "Sincaraz heads" before all is said and done, just like Tsonga occasionally took out one of the Big Four. But he'll never be in the same class. But all of these current young guys will have more opportunities than the Tsongas, Berdychs, and Ferrers of the world, whose primes was at the worst point in tennis history.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

And I wouldn't lump Roger with Rafa, and say that his body broke down. It doesn't do Roger's longevity any justice. Rafa suffered injuries throughout his career and his body broke down by his age 35 season in 2021, but Roger was relatively healthy through most of his career, going strong in his age 36-38 season 2017-19, winning 52, 48, and 53 matches. Roger's decline came all at once, after the injury at the 2020 Australian Open. The pandemic screwed up his recovery. If not for that, Roger probably breaks the match wins record.

I always feel that Roger has a chance to return to the ATP Tour after his Tennis HoF induction. I mean, Roger just played his first exhibition in 3 years just last month. I don't get that with Rafa.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The 13 day Cinncy Tennis will begin on Tuesday August 11 with the singles final on Sunday August 23 in 2026 ( I guess its better than a Tuesday final lol! )

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Holger Rune calls his brutal injury as a 'slap in the face' that made him take his talent seriously. Rune will now remain sidelined for the vast majority of 2026 season, while is in in rehab. Rune admitted that this injury showed him that he cant take his talent for granted. He now wants to prove to himself that he is good enough to challenge for Grand Slams.

Source. www.tennisinfinity.com

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Laver Cup returns to London from September 25-27 2026. Stay tuned for updates, ticket releases, player announcements and more

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Eric Butorac, USTA Senior Director, Player Relations and Business Development and former Top 20 doubles pro and ATP Player Council President, has been named the Next Tournament Director of the US Open, beginning in 2026.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Chris Eubanks announced his retirement today via social media. I would not be surprised not to see him as a full time TC commentator or ESPN