Tennis is in dire need of a gripping narrative, and the late-season tournaments are delivering just that with their mesmerizing drama. But at what cost to the players? Another week, another set of updates from the exhausted elite of the tennis world.
Amanda Anisimova, fresh from her triumph at the China Open, claimed her second WTA 1000 title of the season. Yet, she promptly withdrew from the subsequent Wuhan Open, which had already commenced when Anisimova secured her Beijing victory over Linda Nosková. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, recovering from an injury that kept her out of the China Open, returned to the Wuhan tournament. Iga Świątek, the world No. 2, squandered an opportunity to challenge Sabalenka's top ranking, suffering a 6-0 defeat in the deciding set against Emma Navarro.
On the ATP Tour, Jannik Sinner, ranked No. 2, retired from his Shanghai Masters match against Tallon Griekspoor due to debilitating cramps in scorching conditions. This setback left Sinner trailing Carlos Alcaraz in the race for year-end No. 1. Alcaraz, however, is also taking it easy, opting to skip the Shanghai event, the second-to-last ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the season.
Sports seasons are meant to build up to a thrilling climax, but tennis seems to be missing that mark lately. Instead of intense battles for the top spot, we witnessed Daniil Medvedev and Learner Tien's captivating third encounter at the Shanghai Masters. Medvedev, leading by a set and 3-1 with two break points, talked himself into losing the set and eventually the match, mirroring his China Open defeat in Beijing. Medvedev's post-match press conference was a feverish affair, where he acknowledged the psychological toll a young Californian player with smooth groundstrokes can have on a Russian opponent.
The final months of the nearly year-long tennis season have become a grueling endurance test for players of all ranks. WTA rules mandate players of a certain ranking to participate in a minimum of 16 tournaments annually, including 10 WTA 1000 events and six 500-level tournaments. The ATP Tour requires men to play eight of the nine ATP Masters 1000s and four 500-level tournaments. In recent years, five of these 1000-level tournaments have been extended from one week to 12 days.
While the tours claim these extensions have boosted player earnings and improved infrastructure, players argue they've made the season unmanageable, turning the final weeks into a chaotic struggle. Iga Świątek echoed this sentiment in Beijing, attributing the high injury rate to the season's length and intensity. On that day, five out of 12 matches across ATP and WTA events ended in retirements.
The WTA schedule demands players compete in back-to-back 1000-level events in various cities throughout the year. The WTA has stated that athlete welfare is a top concern, and their mandatory rules ensure a critical mass of top players for tournament owners, leading to a $400 million increase in player compensation over the next decade. However, the ATP and WTA are still negotiating a merger, with no agreement in sight.
Many players are cutting their seasons short. Daria Kasatkina, ranked No. 19, announced her early departure until 2026, citing mental and emotional exhaustion. Elina Svitolina and Paula Badosa have also called it quits for the season, while Frances Tiafoe withdrew from all remaining tournaments, needing wins to secure a seeded position at the Australian Open.
ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi agrees that the expanded 1000-level events have increased player earnings, with bonus pools for top performers and general prize money increases. He emphasizes the need for patience with long-term reforms, believing they will benefit everyone in the sport. However, players have shorter careers and different priorities than the organizations, often expressing their discontent through their actions.
Alcaraz and Sinner skipped the Canadian Open, much to the organizers' disappointment. Alcaraz had a successful spring and early summer, winning several prestigious tournaments, but after skipping the Canadian Open, he won the U.S. Open and the Japan Open, despite an ankle injury. He then withdrew from the Shanghai Masters, a decision that proved wise given the demanding tennis conditions.
Novak Djokovic, set to be world No. 3 in 2026, has been selective about Masters 1000 events, focusing on Grand Slams and representing his country. He is currently in Shanghai, playing his first non-Grand Slam event since May, but not solely for a high seeding at the Tour Finals. Sponsors, like Djokovic's clothing brand, prefer their players to compete in China to tap into the vast market and its population.
Djokovic acknowledges that tennis is an individual sport, and players must choose how and where to earn their income. However, these choices can have financial repercussions, such as missing out on year-end bonuses. The top players have different choices and consequences compared to their peers.
Djokovic, Sinner, Alcaraz, and other top male players are scheduled to participate in the Six King Slam, a $13.5 million exhibition event in Riyadh. This opportunity to recoup lost income is not readily available to most male players and is non-existent for WTA Tour players. Despite the challenges, the tournaments leading up to the season's end remain significant for fans and players alike. Titles, prize money, and rankings are still up for grabs, and top players are more susceptible to upsets at this time of year.
For fans in Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, and Wuhan, these tournaments offer a rare chance to see their favorite players, who usually compete while they sleep. The spectators greet them with clever nicknames, showcasing their deep understanding of the sport, and display some of the best fan signs in sports.
For the players, these tournaments present opportunities to make history. Valentin Vacherot, ranked No. 204, is in the Shanghai Masters semifinals, his first ATP Tour-level last-four appearance. Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina are vying for the last WTA Tour Finals spot, while players across both tours are aiming for Australian Open seedings. Medvedev and Tien's hypnotic rivalry continues, and those recovering from injuries are eager for court time and match practice.
Ben Shelton, who suffered a severe shoulder injury at the U.S. Open, returned to Florida for rehab. He traveled to Shanghai to test his shoulder and lost his first match to David Goffin. Shelton is expected to play a few more events before his anticipated ATP Tour Finals debut.
Sebastian Korda, who missed months due to a stress fracture, is now healthy and aiming to climb the rankings. He played six matches in two countries in less than two weeks, gearing up for the indoor hard-court swing in Europe.
Coco Gauff, ranked No. 3, is at the Wuhan Open. She views post-U.S. Open tournaments as preparation for the next season, focusing on developing her game rather than results. Gauff, the French Open champion, is experimenting with her serve and forehand, treating the China Open as a practice tournament.
The tennis world is abuzz with these late-season tournaments, but the question remains: Is the current format sustainable for the players' well-being? And what does this mean for the future of the sport?
