News, reporting and explainers from Tennis Loco.
World No. 1 Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo because of a neck injury. This withdrawal allows Leylah Fernandez to advance to the semifinals via walkover.
Novak Djokovic was defeated by Jan-Lennard Struff at the Swiss Indoors on Thursday. Djokovic lost 6-7 (4), 7-5, 7-6 (5) to the 47th-ranked player.
Martina Navratilova, a former five-time year-end World No. 1, shared her perspective on what Elena Rybakina can expect as the current year-end No. 1. Navratilova stated her motivation was to improve her game once she reached the top spot.
Karolina Muchova will make her first appearance at the WTA Finals, following a season that included a WTA 1000 breakthrough in Doha and reaching the Wimbledon final. Known for her artistic play, Muchova previously had her career impacted by injuries.
Diana Shnaider and Alexandra Eala both secured three-set victories in the second round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis tournament. Shnaider defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich, while Eala overcame Talia Gibson, setting up a rematch between the two players.
Stan Wawrinka's professional tennis career ended on Tuesday at his home tournament in Basel.
Venus Williams lost to 18-year-old Lilli Tagger at the Guangzhou Open on Tuesday, extending her singles match record this year to 0-13.
Linda Noskova will make her first appearance at the WTA Finals, following a season that included winning Wimbledon as the No. 9 seed and breaking into the Top 10. She also secured her second career title at the Berlin Tennis Open.
Alex Eala defeated Mika Stojsavljevic 6-1, 6-2 in her opening match at the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
Katerina Siniakova defeated Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 6-0 in 64 minutes to claim the Japan Open championship. This marks Siniakova's first singles title in three years.
Kristina Mladenovic and Guo Hanyu will participate in the WTA Finals at Indian Wells. The duo, who teamed up ten months ago, won titles in Auckland and Wimbledon in 2026.
Elena Rybakina defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-2 to successfully defend her Ningbo Open title. This marks Rybakina's first trophy since achieving the No. 1 ranking.
An original tactical analysis comparing compact baseline block returns against deep-court chip and loop return postures across clay and grass surfaces, including the counter-plays that punish each choice.
After a resurgence in Ningbo, Alex Eala is set to compete in the Toray Pan Pacific Open, looking to maintain her improved form.
Elena Rybakina defeated Diana Shnaider 6-3, 7-5 to secure her spot in the Ningbo Open final. She is set to play Leylah Fernandez in the championship match.
An original tactical study examining when deep center returns neutralize wide serve-plus-one forehand patterns—and when servers or aggressive returners exploit the counter-options.
Elena Rybakina advanced to the Ningbo Open quarterfinals after her opponent, Polina Kudermetova, retired due to injury while trailing 5-0.
Alex Eala was defeated by Diana Shnaider, the world No. 13, in the Ningbo Open round of 16 on Thursday.
Leylah Fernandez defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich in a three-hour match at the BNB Ningbo Open second round on Wednesday, securing her spot in the quarterfinals. This marks Fernandez's fifth WTA Tour quarterfinal of 2026.
Iga Swiatek has pulled out of the Ningbo Open in China due to a persistent thigh injury. Her participation in the season-ending Indian Wells tournament is now uncertain.
Alex Eala secured a victory at the Ningbo Open, breaking a three-match losing streak.
Maja Chwalinska, who reached the Roland Garros final earlier this year, secured her first WTA 1000 title in Wuhan. Following Roland Garros, Chwalinska described feeling "miserable" due to increased attention and pressure, but she has since adjusted.
Sonay Kartal was beaten by Maja Chwalińska in the Wuhan Open final. Kartal lost the match with a score of 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
Alex Eala is set to compete in the Ningbo Open, aiming to improve her performance after a series of early exits on the professional tour.
