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Naomi Osaka revealed she has been battling an illness since Christmas Eve and said it “sucks” as a way to start her 2026 season.

Osaka was defeated 6-4, 6-2 by World No.52 Maria Sakkari to kick off her United Cup but was in a surprisingly reflective mood afterwards, suggesting there was plenty of positives to take.

“Honestly I thought it wasn’t a bad first match for what it was. I’m I guess just thankful that I have another match that I get to play.

“I think just, like, trying new things. For me, I feel like I definitely could have been more aggressive on the returns. I think I did that a little bit towards the end. But learning not to be afraid of mistakes and kind of just going for it from the beginning.

“Then also just trying not to be so predictable, which is something that I knew about myself since US Open. Again, I’m kind of afraid to make mistakes. So just trying to, like, break that limitation in my mind.”

She did though reveal she has been battling an illness and was seen coughing during the match. Osaka said she has had the problem since Christmas Eve and it “sucks” to be carrying that into the new year.

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“I’m not operating at the percent that I want to be operating at, which kind of sucks because, like, I had a really good off-season so I thought I was going to do really well here. Then I got really sick. I think I’m at the tail end of that, but still not amazing.

“So yeah, I feel like for me, I’m just trying to get better every day. Obviously I had a cough, like a runny nose, like all that nasty stuff, yeah. Hopefully it goes away before the Australian Open.

“Honestly, it’s been a minute, which is why I’m shocked that I still have it. I think I got it from my daughter (smiling). I want to say like before Christmas Eve.

“It’s been tough. Also for me, that’s why I also really appreciate being here because you feel the team atmosphere, it makes you want to go out and do your best and do something.

“I feel very apologetic that I couldn’t get the win. I don’t know, we’re all here to try our best. If it doesn’t work out, it sucks, but we’re going to just try again another day.”

Read next: Novak Djokovic’s ex-rival makes ‘given up’ claim about the Serb challenging Alcaraz & Sinner

The post Naomi Osaka reveals illness after surprise loss to World No.52 in the United Cup appeared first on Tennis365.

Emma Raducanu revealed her goal for 2026 is “stacking the good days” as she prepares to make her debut at the United Cup in Australia.

The World No.29 and British No.1 is in Australia ahead of the Grand Slam later this month and is warming up by appearing at the United Cup for the first time in a British team captained by Tim Henman.

And ahead of the tournament, which sees Raducanu play her first match against Naomi Osaka on January 4, she has been setting out her goals for the year ahead.

“I think for me it’s just about stacking the good days,” she said. “I’ve been putting in some good practices. Even if each practice isn’t as perfect as you want it to be, I think just the consistency of it is the most important thing.

“That’s what really helped me last year. So I just hope to carry that on and enjoy the tennis, enjoy the process of what I’m doing, which right now I am.

“Physically I also improved. I became fitter, so I was able to play more matches and more tournaments on the road. That just gives us more opportunities to get some points here and there and also have good weeks when you’re in a good run of momentum to kind of carry that through three, four, five matches.

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“So yeah, that was a really good benefit for me as well. Also, just my approach to playing. I’ve been a lot better, a lot more composed, but at the same time enjoying it a lot more again. That’s been a big win for me.”

While 2021 remains her best year in terms of trophies, 2025 marked a significant step forward in her consistency with Raducanu playing in a career-high of 50 matches in the season. Her entry into the United Cup hints at a similar approach to 2026 and puts to bed rumours she may not feature in the Australian Open later this month.

“I think it’s a great way to start the year being part of a team environment,” she said of the tournament. “It’s a little bit easier to kind of settle into the year, which is so competitive and individual. It’s nice to share this with the team.

“We all get on really well and have been having a great time off the court and on the court. It’s nice to be a part of that, and it’s such a change from what we usually do. For me I’m just really happy to represent GB and have the opportunity to and also play in such a beautiful place and see Perth.”

Raducanu is on a team with Billy Harris, Neal Skupski, Katie Swan, Lloyd Glasspool and Olivia Nicholls. As for her matches, after facing Osaka, Raducanu will play Maria Sakkari and described both as “very difficult matches.”

“I played both of them last year. Really difficult. Obviously Naomi had a great end to the season as well. I’m
expecting tough ones. Just hope to give it all and do my best.”

Read next: Venus Williams set to break record as full Australian Open women’s wildcard list confirmed

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Aryna Sabalenka has revealed she wants to play Nick Kyrgios again as she expressed her desire to exact “revenge” for her defeat to the Australian.

Former ATP world No 13 Kyrgios triumphed 6-3, 6-3 against WTA world No 1 Sabalenka in an exhibition showdown billed as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ in Dubai on December 28.

Both players were limited to having one serve, while Sabalenka’s side of the court was 9% smaller than Kyrgios’, with organisers Evolve claiming that data shows female players move about 9% slower than men on average.

Sabalenka was broken in four of her five service games in the opening set, but she took a 3-1 lead in the second and had a break point to go up 4-1 before Kyrgios turned it around to seal a straight-set win.

The match would have been decided by a 10-point tiebreak had a third set been required.

Sabalenka has made it clear that she has the appetite for a rematch and argued it would be more even if she could have two serves.

“I think I would definitely do it again. I love revenges and I don’t like to leave it the way it is,” said the four-time Grand Slam champion.

“And I think for the next match we’ll come up with a different format because before the match, I didn’t realise that I have to adjust as well and it was a bit tricky for me as well.

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“I think that I would still keep the full court for Nick, but I would take two serves, that would even our level a lot more.

“I always say that when you are losing, you are learning, and I learned a lot about his game. I would do it again.

“Now I know better Nick as a player and as a person as well, so I feel like I know how to play against him. We will do it again, I need the revenge.”

The 27-year-old Belarusian continued: “I think it’s really important for tennis to keep it interesting, keep it fresh, keep it new, keep it fun.

“I’m happy that I was able to challenge him and make him work and make him physically get tired and mentally also get tight.

“I saw that and I felt really excited to see a man getting tight and going for his full game. It was a really cool experience.”

Kyrgios responded to a tweet discussing a potential rematch by saying “I’M IN.”

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The post Aryna Sabalenka calls for Nick Kyrgios ‘Battle of the Sexes’ rematch – but with one rule change appeared first on Tennis365.

Tennis icon Venus Williams has received a wildcard to compete at the 2026 Australian Open, with the full list of wildcard recipients for the women’s singles event now confirmed.

There had been much anticipation to learn if Williams would be given a wildcard for this year’s Australian Open, with the American last having played the Melbourne Grand Slam in 2021.

The former world No 1 and seven-time major singles champion, who is 45, is currently ranked 581st in the WTA singles rankings.

Last year, Williams returned to the tour after an absence of more than a year to play in Washington, Cincinnati and at the US Open.

The Australian Open confirmed today that Williams had received the eighth and final wildcard for the women’s singles main draw.

“I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer,” said Williams.

“I’ve had so many incredible memories there, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”

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Williams was a runner-up at the Australian Open in 2003 and 2017, while she was also a semi-finalist in 2001 and a quarter-finalist on a further six occasions.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said: “Venus is a true legend and trailblazer of our sport – she’s an inspiration to us all.

“I’m delighted we’ll see her on court again at both the Hobart International and Australian Open.”

At the age of 45, Williams is set to become the oldest woman to play in the Australian Open singles draw. She will break the record held by former Japanese star Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she competed at the 2015 Australian Open.

Australian Open 2026 women’s singles wildcards

• Emerson Jones (Australia)
• Zarina Diyas (Kazakhstan)
• Elizabeth Mandlik (USA)
• Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah (France)
• Priscilla Hon (Australia)
• Talia Gibson (Australia)
• Taylah Preston (Australia)
• Venus Williams (USA)

Williams has also been given wildcards to compete at the tournaments in Auckland and Hobart ahead of the Australian Open.

Venus Williams’ schedule at the start of 2026

• ASB Classic, Auckland (WTA 250) – January 5-11
• Hobart International (WTA 250) – January 12-17
• Australian Open – January 18-February 1

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READ NEXT: Predicting every Grand Slam singles champion of 2026: Sinner & Alcaraz dominant, Sabalenka & Swiatek success

The post Venus Williams set to break record as full Australian Open women’s wildcard list confirmed appeared first on Tennis365.

Former ATP Tour stars Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Mischa Zverev have weighed in on Novak Djokovic’s prospects ahead of the 2026 season.

Djokovic begins the campaign ranked fourth in the world behind Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev.

In 2025, Djokovic reached the semi-finals at all four Grand Slams, won titles in Geneva and Athens and was a runner-up at the Miami Masters.

The 38-year-old will get his year underway at the Adelaide International, an ATP 250 tournament which will be held from January 12 to 17. He won the Adelaide International in his only previous appearance in 2023.

The Serbian will then aim to win a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and 25th Grand Slam in total. Djokovic secured his most recent major at the 2023 US Open.

What did Jo-Wilfried Tsonga say about Novak Djokovic?

In an interview with Swiss outlet Blick, Tsonga addressed whether Djokovic can compete with Alcaraz and Sinner in 2026.

“When you hear him talk about Carlos and Jannik today, putting them on another level, you sometimes get the impression that he’s already given up,” said the Frenchman.

“But I think he’s still ready. He continues to play very good tennis. And if there’s even an inch of opening, he’ll strike.

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“You can feel that with each step onto the court, he pushes the limits even further. It will be fascinating to follow him this year.”

Tsonga, a former world No 5, holds a 6-17 record from the 23 matched he played against Djokovic.

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Speaking to the same publication, Mischa Zverev — the older brother of Alexander Zverev — also shared his thoughts on Djokovic.

“With Novak, you can still feel that something is missing,” said the German, who peaked at 25th in the ATP Rankings.

“Perhaps the pace, which is currently a bit higher with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

“In the final stages of Grand Slams or Masters tournaments, you should never rule out Novak. But his body clearly plays a role. He simply has a few more kilometres under his belt.

“Alcaraz and Sinner are ahead, then comes Sascha (Alexander Zverev). And after that, we don’t really know who follows.”

Mischa Zverev holds a 0-2 record against Djokovic.

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Jannik Sinner will be eyeing up a golden 2026, with the uncertainty surrounding his big rival Carlos Alcaraz fuelling a belief that he can achieve something very special in 2026.

Sinner is preparing for the defence of his Australian Open title, with the Italian looking invincible as he swept up the title in the opening Grand Slam of the season for the last two years.

He heads to Australia as the red-hot favourite to win the title once again and his hopes have only been strengthened by split in Alcaraz’s camp that saw the sudden exit of his long-time coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero.

If Sinner lives up to his billing and wins a third straight Australian Open title at a moment when Alcaraz suffers a dip following his coaching upheaval, talk will inevitably turn to a year of domination for the Italian.

He came perilously close to winning a calendar Grand Slam of all four majors last season, with the match points he missed in the French Open final quickly followed by his maiden Wimbledon title success a few weeks later.

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If he had converted one of those match points against Alcaraz in Paris, Sinner would have headed into the US Open with a calendar Grand Slam on his mind and he reached the final in New York, losing against Alcaraz.

It wouldn’t take much for Sinner to win a few extra points in Paris and an additional match at the US Open to make a very good 2025 into something historic in 2026, with no male player completing the calendar Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969.

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic all won three of the four majors in the same year and former British No 1 Greg Rusedski does not believe this will be the season that sees complete domination from one player in the men’s game.

“Do I think he’s going to win the calendar Slam?” pondered Rusedski in the latest episode of his Off Court with Greg podcast.

“We saw Novak try to do that a few years back and he was one match away against Daniil Medvedev at the US Open and lost it at the final hurdle after winning three majors.

“If anyone can do it, it’s Jannik. He has great memories of Australia at the start of the year, but can he bounce back and win the French Open? That’s the big question.

“Also with Carlos Alcaraz, where is he going to be. There’s lots of question marks going into the season, but Sinner keeps improving.

“I’ve been watching videos of him preparing in Dubai and he is getting stuck in. He’s working in approaching the net and improving. He is a complete player and this thing upstairs, the brain, it’s unbelievable how strong he is.”

Sinner and Alcaraz have shared the last eight Grand Slam titles between them, highlighting the dominance they have over their rivals in the men’s game.

So if there is any slight dip from Alcaraz in 2026, Sinner may have a chance to put himself among the game’s all-time greats by achieving a feat only the true giants of tennis could dream of.

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The post Former British No 1 pours cold water on Jannik Sinner’s biggest dream for 2026 appeared first on Tennis365.

When Carlos Alcaraz confirmed he would be splitting from coach Juan Carlos Ferrero last month, the tennis world was left reeling by a story none of us saw coming.

Such was the bond we believed existed between Alcaraz and Ferrero that a parting of the ways appeared to be hard to comprehend, with many suspecting the duo would patch up their difference and find a way to reunite.

What has happened over the days since the news was announced confirms the glossy image of the coach who turned Alcaraz from a junior with big prospects into an all-time great of the game at the age of 22 was not all it seemed.

It appears that cracks were beginning to show in the relationship between Alcaraz and Ferrero long ago, with the father of the world No 1 being portrayed as a key figure in the decision to make the split from the former French Open champion.

Ferrero’s move to conduct a host of interviews that outlined his version of events drove a wedge between the two camps that will be hard to revive, as he hit back at claims that financial demands were at the root of the split after he was offered a new contract on a reduced salary.

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“Everything seemed like it was set to continue,” said Ferrero. “It’s true that when the year ends, there are certain things at the contract level that have to be looked at. And as in any new contract, looking ahead to next year, there were certain things on which we did not agree…

“It may be that they could have been saved if we had sat down to talk, but in the end we didn’t sit down and we decided not to continue.

“It’s true that when a year ends, certain things need to be reviewed regarding contracts. And as with any new contract, looking ahead to the following year, there were certain things we disagreed on.

“As with all contracts, one side pulls in one direction and the other in another. Carlos’s camp thinks about what’s best for him, and mine thinks about what’s best for me. There were certain issues on which both parties disagreed.

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“Perhaps they could have been resolved if we had sat down to talk, but in the end, we didn’t, and we decided not to continue. That’s really what happened.

“There are points I won’t go into detail about, but we disagreed on them, and ultimately, we went our separate ways.”

If Alcaraz struggles without his mentor Ferrero at the Australian Open later this month, the idea that he could get his old coach back into his camp would have been an appealing option if their split was a little more amicable. 

After all that has been said since the very public sporting divorce, that option appears to have been closed and the tennis world now waits to get Alcaraz’s version of events.

We also won’t have long to wait to see how this great young player reacts when he tries to compete for a Grand Slam title without the coach who has been by his side on every step of his journey so far.

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The post Why Carlos Alcaraz’s split with Juan Carlos Ferrero can never be repaired appeared first on Tennis365.

Emma Raducanu has made a major sponsorship change with the new tennis season just around the corner as she has been spotted practising with a new racket.

The world No 29 has used Wilson Blade rackets since she was a teenager with the famous brand quite visible during her historic Grand Slam title run at the 2021 US Open, but the partnership has come to an end.

Raducanu has been training with Yonex rackets in the build-up to her first official tournament of 2026, the United Cup, with the endorsement deal with the Japanese sports equipment manufacturer likely coming into effect on January 1.

Footage from Perth, Australia, shows the British No 1 hitting with the Yonex E-Zone model with coach Francisco Roig keeping a watchful eye.

The Yonex E-Zone racket is expected to add more power to her shots, but it will likely lead to less control over shots and could take her some time to adapt, especially during her first official match against Japan’s Naomi Osaka on January 4.

Besides the United Cup, the 23-year-old has also signed up for the Hobart International so she will have plenty of practice with the new racket ahead of the Australian Open.

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Raducanu will join a long list of top players – both on the WTA Tour and ATP Tour – who use Yonex rackets, starting with world No 5 and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka.

Former world No 1 Osaka won her four Grand Slams using the Yonex Ezone 98 racket and world No 7 Madison Keys also used Yonex when she won her maiden major at the 2025 Australian Open.

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Rybakina, Osaka and Keys are all known for their power hitting and it could be a sign of what is to come for Raducanu.

On the men’s side, Ben Shelton, Casper Ruud, Nick Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe are some of the big stars using the Japanese manufacturer’s equipment, while in terms of legendary players, the great Martina Navratilova and Martina Hingis are ambassadors.

A change in rackets might not be the only move that Raducanu makes in 2026 as it has been strongly rumoured that she will swap Nike for Uniqlo.

Although she was spotted using Nike apparel during training in recent days, it could be a case that her contract ran until December 31 and we could well see her don the Uniqlo brand from January 1.

Roger Federer, of course, is the most famous Uniqlo ambassador as he made the $300 million move from Nike to the Japanese company in 2018.

Reigning Wimbledon champion and six-time major champion Iga Swiatek and world No 9 Ben Shelton are also ambassadors.

The post Emma Raducanu makes big equipment change as she joins list of power-hitters to use this racket appeared first on Tennis365.

The 2025 tennis season delivered plenty of drama, incredible storylines, and high-quality matches — particularly at the four Grand Slam tournaments.

Madison Keys stunned the tennis world with her epic run to the Australian Open title, before Coco Gauff captured her second major at the French Open, Iga Swiatek won a staggering sixth Slam at Wimbledon, and Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her US Open crown to win her fourth Grand Slam singles title.

It was a different story in the men’s game, with Jannik Sinner triumphing at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and Carlos Alcaraz reigning at Roland Garros and the US Open — the dominant duo winning all four Slams between them for the second straight season.

With 2026 officially here and the new tennis season about to get underway, we predict who will win all four men’s singles and women’s singles Grand Slam titles in 2026.

Australian Open (Jan 18 – Feb 1)

Women’s singles: The margins are fine in the women’s game right now, and the likes of Swiatek, Gauff, Mirra Andreeva, Elena Rybakina, and Amanda Anisimova will all be in contention.

However, having reached three straight finals at the tournament, Sabalenka looks like a strong bet to regain the title she previously won in 2023 and 2024, earning revenge for her 2025 loss to Keys.

Men’s singles: Will the men’s singles draw merely be a case of seeing how Alcaraz and Sinner fare before meeting in the championship match? It would surprise no one if this is how the event panned out.

Alcaraz has Career Grand Slam pressure on his shoulders — and has to deal with his split from Juan Carlos Ferrero, alongside overcoming traditionally slow starts to the year. Having won the tournament in 2024 and 2025, Sinner looks primed for a ‘threepeat’ Down Under.

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French Open (May 24 – Jun 7)

Women’s singles: The French Open provides fascinating scenarios in the women’s draw in 2026, with Gauff aiming to defend her title, Sabalenka looking to make amends for her final defeat, and Swiatek looking to regain the crown she has won four times previously.

Sabalenka and Gauff will be in contention once again, and definitely do not discount Anisimova — a semi-finalist at this tournament as a teenager in 2019 — but, after a strong second half of 2025, Swiatek looks ready to reign as the ‘Queen of Clay’ once again.

Men’s singles: The chances of a final as good as the one Alcaraz and Sinner produced at Roland Garros this year look unlikely, but it would surprise no one if there was a repeat winner.

With back-to-back French Open titles to his name, alongside 11 titles on the dirt in total, Alcaraz is conclusively the best clay-court player of the post-Nadal era, and is set to make it three in a row this June.

Wimbledon (Jun 29 – Jul 12)

Women’s singles: There have been no repeat winners of the women’s singles title at SW19 since Serena Williams in 2016, a streak that Swiatek will look to snap in 2026.

The Pole’s added aggression to her game should continue to sort the grass courts of the All England Club, but twelve months on from her heartbreaking final defeat to Swiatek, Anisimova will complete an epic turnaround to capture her first Grand Slam title.

Men’s singles: Sinner bounced back from French Open heartbreak to end Alcaraz’s two-year reign inside Centre Court last summer, and both men have games well-suited for grass.

Though Novak Djokovic and Ben Shelton could be among the threats on this surface, Sinner and Alcaraz will likely remain far ahead of the field. In their second straight final at the tournament, Alcaraz will regain his title — and complete the ‘Channel Slam’ once again.

US Open (Aug 30 – Sep 13)

Women’s singles: Having lost the final in 2023 before back-to-back 2024 and 2025 triumphs, world No 1 Sabalenka will enter this as the favourite, though former champions Gauff and Swiatek will be hot on her heels.

The likes of Rybakina, Anisimova, Andreeva, and Jessica Pegula could well threaten, but — after solid improvement across 2026 — Gauff will win her third career Grand Slam singles title, and regain the home Slam she first won in 2023.

Men’s singles: Alcaraz and Sinner have split the US Open title the last two years, and while some players may be closer to them by September, it seems likely they will complete another major sweep this season.

Alcaraz produced career-best tennis to win the 2025 US Open, but Sinner gained revenge with victory at the ATP Finals later in the season, and his hard-court prowess will again see him match his Spanish rival on two majors apiece for the 2026 season.

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The post Predicting every Grand Slam singles champion of 2026: Sinner & Alcaraz dominant, Sabalenka & Swiatek success appeared first on Tennis365.

Former world No 1 Andy Roddick has heaped praise on Coco Gauff and her “superpower” of being able to win when not at her best, ahead of her 2026 campaign.

Gauff’s game was scrutinised heavily throughout the stages of the 2025 season, with flaws on her serve and forehand once again coming in for particular analysis and scrutiny.

Issues across the summer saw the American split with her coach of eleven months, Matt Daly, ahead of the US Open, with the 21-year-old bringing in Gavin MacMillan to work alongside J.C. Faurel for the rest of 2025, and into 2026.

However, despite some apparent issues in her game, 2025 was another landmark year for Gauff, and the American captured her second Grand Slam singles title at the French Open — beating world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

Gauff also lifted her third WTA 1000 career singles title at the Wuhan Open in October, and attained further runner-up finishes at the Madrid Open and Italian Open, finishing 2025 ranked third in the world.

It was the third straight season in which Gauff finished the year as the world No 3 and, speaking on his Served podcast, Roddick was keen to highlight his compatriot’s key strengths.

“With Coco at number three, and I think this is what we are going to start doing when we cover her moving forward as it’s only fair, we are not going to start from a negative place,” said Roddick.

“We are going to talk about how she is able to settle in. How she is able to apply her game. How she is able to create errors and stress for her opponent, to rely on her legs.

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“She has one of the biggest and hardest backhands in the world that people do not talk about enough. She is able to work the forehand to drive traffic. She sets up her defense with patterns. It is not an accident.”

Double faults were undoubtedly an issue for Gauff at times across the year, with the 23 double faults she hit against Danielle Collins at the Canadian Open among the highest ever recorded in a WTA match.

However, Gauff was still able to seal victory in that match and won a string of matches across the year where she appeared to be far from her best.

Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion, described this ability as Gauff’s “superpower” and said she was the very best at winning when still “uncomfortable” with her game.

He added: “To go through things that are physically and mentally not working and to get through it and win consistently is a superpower.

“There is no world where anyone else on earth can be dealing with 20 or 25 double faults and we are looking up and at scale, not for a tournament, every year she is two in the world, three in the world. She does not leave those positions.

“It does not matter how much we see her struggle. We have to give credit where credit is due for Coco at some point.

“If the losses are ugly, I don’t care. She is the best in the world at being uncomfortable on a given day and getting a win.”

Gauff’s 2026 season will begin at the United Cup, where she will look to help the United States successfully defend its title in the mixed team event.

That will then be followed by the opening Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open, where Gauff was a quarter-finalist in 2025, and a semi-finalist in 2024.

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