Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka confirmed that long‑time coach Max Mirnyi has departed from her team just before the 2026 WTA Finals. She praised his contributions to her net game and outlined the current coaching staff of Anton Dubrov and Jason Stacy as she continues her campaign at Indian Wells.
Former world No.1 Jim Courier used a podcast interview to argue that Novak Djokovic’s statistical record makes him the greatest tennis player ever. He also recalled Pete Sampras as his toughest rival, praised the 2012 Australian Open final between Djokovic and Nadal as the best match he’s seen, and forecasted a breakout year for Brazil’s Joao Fonseca in 2027.
After missing the 2026 Wimbledon and US Open due to a stress fracture, former US Open champion Emma Raducanu announced her return to competition at the United Cup in early 2027. She will use a protected ranking to represent Great Britain alongside fellow British player Arthur Fery, marking her second appearance at the event.
Madison Keys, who missed qualifying for this year’s WTA Finals, shared her prediction that world No.1 Elena Rybakina will defend her title in Indian Wells. Keys also highlighted Mirra Andreeva as a dark horse, while former champion Martina Navratilova echoed the Rybakina pick.
Former world No.6 Gael Monfils, who retired at age 40, has been confirmed as the new captain of the French Davis Cup team, taking over from Paul‑Henri Mathieu. He will be supported by French tennis icons Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet as France looks to rebuild its Davis Cup fortunes after missing this year’s Final 8.
After a loss in the Hong Kong Open quarter‑finals, Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea confirmed her retirement, concluding a two‑decade career on a high note with a season‑ending world ranking of 15. Her final year featured a Transylvania Open title, a semi‑final in Rome and a quarter‑final at Roland Garros, placing her among an elite group of players who retired inside the top 16 at age 36 or older.
Norwegian No.1 Casper Ruud reflected on the difficulty of competing in today’s high‑pace tennis after a mixed 2026 season that saw him reach the Italian Open final and miss the US Open with a back injury. He is now preparing for his Paris Masters quarter‑final against lucky‑loser Nuno Borges, noting that the sport’s shift toward powerful baseline play will remain a challenge for the rest of his career.
In a Big T podcast interview, American pundit Chris Eubanks warned that the demanding ATP calendar could lead top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to selectively skip lower‑tier events. He suggested the ATP may need to adjust the schedule to accommodate player health and prevent early career injuries.
Daniil Medvedev suffered an opening‑round defeat to Ignacio Buse at the Paris Masters, marking the first tournament in his recent five‑event streak where he failed to reach the semifinals. After the loss he expressed a lack of motivation to compete in the season‑ending ATP Finals and was involved in a heated exchange with the chair umpire and supervisor, receiving a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Leylah Fernandez capped the 2026 WTA season by winning the Singapore Tennis Open and reaching the finals in Ningbo and Tokyo, lifting her to No.18 in the world rankings. Former champion Kim Clijsters praised Fernandez’s improved baseline play and competitive mindset, noting she still needs a bit more power to finish rallies.