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The number of players to withdraw from the 2026 Italian Open has risen to 13 across both the men’s and women’s singles tournaments.

By Thursday, 10 players had pulled out of the combined ATP/WTA 1000 event across both draws, with Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz and Jack Draper among the stars to withdraw. Since then, two men and one women have joined the list.

The prestigious tournament at the Foro Italico is the third clay-court ATP Masters 1000 of the season and the second clay-court WTA 1000.

Both the ATP and WTA tournaments in Rome feature 96 players, including 32 seeds — who receive an opening round bye.

Main draw action at the women’s event will begin on Tuesday 5 May, while the men’s tournament will get underway on Wednesday 6 May. The women’s singles final will be played on Saturday 16 May before the men’s singles final on Sunday 17 May.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jasmine Paolini were the champions in Rome in 2025.

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ATP Italian Open withdrawal list

Alcaraz and Fritz would have been seeded second and seventh respectively in Rome, but they withdrew due to injuries.

Draper — who has been ruled out due to a knee injury — is currently ranked 28th, but he would not have been seeded as his ranking will drop next week.

Holger Rune will not compete as he is gearing up for his comeback from an Achilles injury.

Reilly Opelka and Raphael Collignon are the two latest ATP players to pull out.

• Carlos Alcaraz (world No 2) – replaced by Sebastian Ofner
• Taylor Fritz (world No 7) – replaced by Zachary Svajda
• Jack Draper (world No 28) – replaced by Hamad Medjedovic
• Holger Rune (world No 39) – replaced by Damir Dzumhur
• Reilly Opelka (world No 70) – replaced by Aleksandar Vukic
• Raphael Collignon (world No 71) – replaced by Alexandre Muller
• Arthur Cazaux (world No 73) – replaced by Mattia Bellucci
• Kamil Majchrzak (world No 74) – replaced by Roberto Bautista Agut
• Eliot Spizzirri (world No 82) – replaced by James Duckworth

WTA Italian Open withdrawal list

Marketa Vondrousova, a former world No 6 who won Wimbledon in 2023, has become the latest and highest-ranked woman to withdraw from Rome. The 26-year-old Czech has not played since January.

• Marketa Vondrousova (world No 45) – replaced by Solana Sierra
• Sonay Kartal (world No 55) – replaced by Zeynep Sonmez
• Varvara Gracheva (world No 60) – replaced by Eva Lys
• Veronika Kudermetova (world No 64) – replaced by Petra Marcinko

READ NEXT: Madrid Open: What ranking points and prize money did Marta Kostyuk and Mirra Andreeva earn?

The post Italian Open withdrawals: Carlos Alcaraz among 13 stars to pull out as Wimbledon winner joins list appeared first on Tennis365.

Marta Kostyuk overcame Mirra Andreeva in straight sets to win the 2026 Madrid Open, but how much prize money and how many ranking points have the duo collected?

In the championship match on Manolo Santana Stadium court, 26th seed Kostyuk prevailed 6-3, 7-5 against No 9 seed Andreeva to secure her third and biggest WTA Tour title.

After earning the only break in the opening set, Kostyuk fought back from 1-3 down and saved two set points when serving at 4-5 in the second set. She claimed the decisive break at 5-5 before converting her third match point when serving at 6-5.

Kostyuk was competing in her first-ever WTA 1000 final, while Andreeva was seeking her third title from three finals at this level of tournament.

This was only the second meeting between the pair, with Kostyuk having downed Andreeva 7-6(7), 6-3 in the quarter-finals at the Brisbane International in January.

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Here, we look at the ranking points and prize money earned by Kostyuk and Andreeva in Madrid.

Andreeva and Kostyuk’s Madrid Open ranking points

Kostyuk has secured 1,000 ranking points for winning the Madrid Open, which increases her points total to 2,507. This has lifted Kostyuk eight places to a new career-high ranking of world No 15.

The 23-year-old Ukrainian defeated Anastasia Potapova in the semi-finals, Linda Noskova in the quarter-finals, Caty McNally in the last 16, Jessica Pegula in the third round and Yulia Putintseva in her first match.

Andreeva’s runner-up result has earned her 650 points, which puts her on 4,181 points and moves her up one place to world No 7.

The 19-year-old Russian beat Hailey Baptiste in the semi-finals, Leylah Fernandez in the quarter-finals, Anna Bondar in the fourth round, Dalma Galfi in the third round and Panna Udvardy in her opening match.

Madrid Open WTA ranking points breakdown

Champion: 1,000 points
Runner-up: 650 points
Semi-finalists: 390 points
Quarter-finalists: 215 points
Round of 16: 120 points
Round of 32: 65 points
Round of 64: 35 points
Round of 128: 10 points

Andreeva and Kostyuk’s Madrid Open prize money

Kostyuk’s triumph has earned her €1,007,165 ($1,188,197) in prize money. She had collected $378,343 in prize money this year prior to Madrid, while her career total was $7,235,565.

Andreeva has claimed €535,585 ($631,853) for her run to the final. She had earned $1,138,864 this year prior to Madrid, and her career prize money total stood at $8,683,996

Madrid Open WTA prize money breakdown

Champion: €1,007,165 ($1,188,197)
Runner-up: €535,585 ($631,853)
Semi-finalists: €297,550 ($351,033)
Quarter-finalists: €169,375 ($199,819)
Round of 16: €92,470 ($109,091)
Round of 32: €54,110 ($63,836)
Round of 64: €31,585 ($37,262)
Round of 128: €21,285 ($25,110)

READ NEXT: Madrid Open: Jannik Sinner makes Carlos Alcaraz comment as he reveals how he is ‘trying to improve’

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Jannik Sinner has commented on a shot he is trying to improve as he admitted he is “definitely not at the level” of Carlos Alcaraz in this area.

The world No 1, who is on a 22-match winning streak, is trying to win his fifth successive Masters 1000 title at the 2026 Madrid Open.

Sinner secured Masters titles at his last three events in Monte Carlo, Miami and Indian Wells, while he also won the Paris Masters at the end of the 2025 season.

The four-time Grand Slam champion will take on world No 3 Alexander Zverev in the final in the Spanish capital after defeating Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4 in the last four on Friday.

The Italian star has been incorporating drop shots into his game with increasing effectiveness and frequency in recent months.

In his press conference after reaching the Madrid Open final, Sinner was asked about his use of drop shots during the tournament.

“It is a part of my game I’m trying to improve, of course,” said Sinner. “But I’m definitely not at the level of Carlos, that’s for sure. But I’m still trying. It’s good for my game trying to mix it up.”

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Sinner was also asked how he deals with the crowd cheering more for his opponents in certain matches.

“I think everyone is different,” said the 24-year-old. “Novak [Djokovic] handled it very, very well, of course; I think the best. But for me, I don’t have a technique. I’m just happy to be part of the match.

“People come to see good tennis, and sometimes people, they’re not against you, they just want to see a little bit more tennis, so I also understand them. Yeah, that’s it.

“Look, I try to stay also calm in very tough moments. This is just how I am, it doesn’t mean it’s good or bad. Everyone is different.

“But yeah, the crowd can give you a lot of positives. Me, when I play in Italy, it means a lot to me, Of course. I always say you have an extra shot playing with the crowd.

“But honestly, even when I played against Rafael [Jodar] here, it was a nice atmosphere. I think they are very, very fair towards me, and that’s something I really appreciate.”

READ NEXT: Madrid Open: Alexander Zverev sends warning to Jannik Sinner before final

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Jannik Sinner has addressed the challenge he will face to recover for the Italian Open after reaching the final at the 2026 Madrid Open.

The world No 1 defeated 21-year-old French star Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4 in the semi-finals at the Masters 1000 event in Madrid on Friday.

Sinner has won 22 consecutive matches after claiming titles in Monte Carlo, Miami and Indian Wells at his previous three events.

The Italian is aiming to become the first player in history to win the first four ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in a season. He will face world No 3 Alexander Zverev in the final in Madrid.

In his press conference after beating Fils, Sinner was asked how he was feeling about the prospect of winning his first title in Madrid.

“I don’t know. First, I’m happy about today, and tomorrow, it’s a relaxed day, and I don’t think too much about the final ahead,” the 24-year-old said.

“I’m, of course, very happy to play my first final here, it means a lot to me.

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“It has been an amazing tournament again. But whatever comes out Sunday, in any case, it has been a great tournament.”

ATP main draw action in Rome will begin on Wednesday May 6 — just three days after the Madrid Open final.

Sinner was asked how his body was holding up and whether he had any concerns about getting enough rest between Madrid and the start of Rome.

“Well, Rome, it’s then different again… I’m trying to recover very much in the night’s sleep,” the four-time Grand slam winner replied.

“This (last) night has been a very good sleep for me, a lot of hours and felt quite fresh this morning.

“But yeah, look, I’ve played a lot in the last one and a half months. Going very, very deep in tournaments; it’s a good sign.

“Of course, at the same time, you tend to get a little bit more tired, but I think and I believe when you play big matches; semi-finals, quarter-finals, finals — there is also adrenaline a little bit, that pushes [you].

“And then, between here and Rome, I try to recover again as much, and then we’ll see.”

Sinner was a runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz at the 2025 Italian Open, which is the best result he has achieved at the prestigious clay-court tournament.

READ NEXT: Madrid Open ATP Rankings Winners & Losers: Sinner outstrips Alcaraz; Fils up, Blockx +34, Ruud -10, Draper -22

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Alexander Zverev has lost eight matches in a row against Jannik Sinner, but he is hoping to make life “a bit more difficult” for the world No 1 when they face each other in the Madrid Open final.

Two-time Madrid champion Zverev beat surprise package Alexander Blockx 6-2, 7-5 to reach the final of the ATP Masters 1000 event for a fourth time following his title runs in 2018 and 2020 and his runners-up trophy in 2021.

“I am very happy to be in the final,” the second seed said. “There were a lot of tough battles, especially at the start of the tournament. I am looking forward to playing Jannik again and looking forward to a tough match. The better player will win on Sunday.”

Sinner blitzed Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4 to reach his fifth consecutive ATP Masters 1000 final as he won the Paris Masters last November and followed it up with trophies at this year’s Indian Wells Open, Miami Open and Monte Carlo Masters.

The Italian, who has now won 27 consecutive ATP 1000 matches, is looking to become the first man to win four consecutive Masters events as, although Novak Djokovic won five titles in a row, he missed one ATP 1000 tournament during that run.

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Given Sinner’s form and his record against Zverev, few would bet against the 24-year-old as the German’s last win was back in 2023 at the US Open.

Zverev led the head-to-head rivalry 4-1 at that stage, but eight matches later and it reads 9-4 in the Italian’s favour with his most recent win a 6-1, 6-4 victory in the semi-final in Indian Wells.

When asked about Sinner, the German replied: “He is quite a relaxed guy and he is enjoying tennis right now.

“I think tennis is very easy for him right now, the way he is playing. Maybe on Sunday I will make it a bit more difficult for him… The last eight times I didn’t win much. He is the best player in the world for sure and I will try to give him a tough battle.”

With Carlos Alcaraz ruled out of the Italian Open and French Open, Sinner is the hot favourite to make a clean sweep at the major events on clay.

At the start of the year, he hadn’t won an ATP Masters 1000 event on the surface, now he is one win away from making it two titles with the Rome and Roland Garros tournaments still to come.

After reaching his first final in Madrid, the top seed said: “Of course, I’m very happy to play my first final here, it means a lot to me. It has been an amazing tournament again. Whatever happens on Sunday, in any case, it has been a great tournament.”

The post Madrid Open: Alexander Zverev sends warning to Jannik Sinner before final appeared first on Tennis365.

Jannik Sinner’s relentless run at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments shows no sign of halting after his comprehensive 6-2, 6-4 win against France’s Arthur Fils at the Madrid Open.

This was billed as being a big test for Sinner, as he took on an in-form opponent who confirmed his clay court prowess by winning the Barcelona Open last month.

Yet world No 1 Sinner was in brutally efficient form, as he brushed the Frenchman aside and strengthen his position as the red-hot favourite to win the Madrid Open, next week’s Italian Open and then to clinch his first French Open title in a tournament that gets underway later this month.

“I tried to be very aggressive,” said Sinner. “I felt very comfortable on the return. In the second set, he started to serve better, so it was more difficult.

“I’m very happy about the general performance today. I’m trying to play the best possible tennis, but today was a very good day in the office.”

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“I knew it before the match: He is one of the best players in the world at the moment,” Sinner said of Fils, who is fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. “I’m very happy that I played against him. He is very good for tennis, for the sport.”

The win against Fils saw Sinner move to the impressive total of 14,000 ATP Ranking points for the first time in his career.

Serbian great Novak Djokovic holds the record for the most ranking points in the history of the men’s game, reaching a total of 16,950 on 6 June 2016.

Second on that list is Rafael Nadal with 15,390 from 2009 and third is Roger Federer, with an estimated total of 15,495 ranking points from November 2006, with that number as an estimate of the points he would have had if he were operating under the current ranking points system that was revamped in 2009.

Carlos Alcaraz reached 13,650 ranking points earlier this year and now Sinner will move past that number after his impressive progress at the Madrid Open.

If he were to win the title in the Spanish capital and go on to lift the Italian Open, the French Open and then go on to defend his Wimbledon title, he would have a shot at overtaking Djokovic’s all-time record.

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Sinner’s win against Fils allowed him to collect his 350th career match win at ATP level. Since the inaugural ATP Tour season in 1990, only Rafael Nadal (429) has achieved the feat in fewer matches than Sinner (438).

In addition, he has now made it through to the final of all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments and becomes fourth player to achieve that feat after Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

READ NEXT: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner told they are ‘not in the same bracket’ as Federer, Nadal and Djokovic

The post Jannik Sinner reaches a new rankings milestone as he puts a big rival to the sword appeared first on Tennis365.

The battle for seedings at the French Open seeding is set to heat up over the next couple of weeks, with several big names on the cusps of missing out on a top 32 ranking for the second major of the tennis year at Roland Garros.

With defending champion Carlos Alcaraz out of the tournament due to a wrist injury, Germany’s Alexander Zverev look set to be the No 2 seed in Paris.

Meanwhile, in the women’s draw, Aryna Sabalenka will be the No 1 seed, with Elena Rybakina leading the bottom half of the draw.

The intrigue over seedings will focus on who will make the cut and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu will be one of the players eager to ensure she stays in the top 30 of the rankings if she intends to play at Roland Garros.

Raducanu has not been seen on a tennis court since losing heavily against Amanda Anisimova at the beginning of March, with her continued absence put down to a virus she picked up back in February.

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The Brit was believed to be close to making a return at the Madrid Open, but was forced to pull out once again.

Now she will need to decide whether to compete at the Italian Open in Rome and if she is missing again, she could drop out of the top 32 and miss out on a seeding at Roland Garros.

There has been some concern over Raducanu’s health and fitness amid her long lay-off, with former British No 1 Greg Rusedski urging her to return when the time is right.

“If your preparation on the clay is really good, even if you’re not a natural clay quarter, your results really end up going well on the grass court season,” said Rusedski, on the latest edition of his podcast.

“I always felt that myself. I wasn’t the best clay court player on the planet, but I used that period to get myself stronger, move better, you know, get all those aspects in. So when I came to the grass, it was just so easy.

“So Emma needs to get back on court. You can’t just say, okay, let’s give up clay and let’s just get onto the grass courts. I think you’ve got to get the balance.

“The first thing is get healthy. Get rid of this virus, get to your nutritionist, get your diet right, get your vitamin intake, what you need to get rid of this virus. Because it’s such a shame she hasn’t been able to play it.

“It feels like forever she hasn’t played a tournament. I know she flew out to Madrid. So, you know, fingers crossed she’s ready to go in Rome.”

Another player chasing a seeding for Paris will be Alex Eala, with the Filipina looking to make a lead up the rankings after a slide in March.

Eala’s failure to match her run to the semi-finals of the 2025 Miami Open ensured she would take a dip in the rankings and she is currently at No 42 in the live list.

She would need a strong run in Rome to give herself a chance of a seeding at Roland Garros, with the cut-off date for the seeding positions to be finalised set for May 18.

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READ NEXT: Alex Eala has already taken Emma Raducanu’s position and there could be much more to come

The post Will Alex Eala and Emma Raducanu get a seeding at the French Open? appeared first on Tennis365.

The 2026 Madrid Open has not been short of surprise results on the women’s side, but how have the WTA Rankings been affected?

The final at the first clay-court WTA 1000 tournament of the season is set, with Mirra Andreeva taking on Marta Kostyuk on Saturday.

Here, we look at who could be the big winners and losers from Madrid when the WTA Rankings are updated next week.

WTA Top 10 before start of Madrid (20 April)

1. Aryna Sabalenka – 10,895
2. Elena Rybakina – 8,500
3. Coco Gauff – 7,279
4. Iga Swiatek – 7,263
5. Jessica Pegula – 6,136
6. Amanda Anisimova – 5,995
7. Elina Svitolina – 3,910
8. Mirra Andreeva – 3,746
9. Jasmine Paolini – 3,722
10. Victoria Mboko – 3,531

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka was defending 1,000 points as the reigning champion in Madrid, and her quarter-final exit means she has dropped 785 points, taking her total to 10,110.

Elena Rybakina, the world No 2, has increased her points total by 55 to 8,555 after her fourth round result, and this has helped her close the gap to Sabalenka to 1,555 points.

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Coco Gauff has dropped 530 points after her last 16 exit as she was a runner-up in Madrid last year, and this has taken her total to 6,749, which has seen her drop to fourth.

Iga Swiatek has replaced Gauff as the world No 3 despite dropping 325 points after a third round exit as she is now on 6,948 points.

Jessica Pegula remains on 6,136 points in the world No 5 position after falling in the third round, while Amanda Anisimova is still on 5,995 points in sixth spot after she withdrew.

WTA Top 10 in Live Rankings before Madrid Open final (1 May)

1. Aryna Sabalenka – 10,110
2. Elena Rybakina – 8,555
3. Iga Swiatek – 6,948 (+1)
4. Coco Gauff – 6,749 (-1)
5. Jessica Pegula – 6,136
6. Amanda Anisimova – 5,995
7. Mirra Andreeva – 4,181/4,531 (+1)
8. Jasmine Paolini – 3,722 (+1)
9. Elina Svitolina – 3,530 (-2)
10. Victoria Mboko – 3,509

Andreeva’s run to the final in Madrid has increased her points total by 435 to 4,181 and lifted her one place to world No 7. If the 19-year-old Russian secures the title, she will move onto 4,531 points.

Jasmine Paolini remains on 3,722 points after a third round exit, but she has moved up one place to eighth.

Elina Svitolina has fallen two places to world No 9 after her opening match exit saw her drop 380 points, taking her total to 3,530. Victoria Mboko has 3,509 points and remains the world No 10 after losing her first match.

Winners outside the top 10

Kostyuk has jumped six places from 23rd to 17th after reaching the final, and she will go to a new career-high ranking of 15th if she wins the title.

Hailey Baptiste, who upset Sabalenka in the quarter-finals, has made a seven-place surge to her new career-best position of 25th after making her first WTA 1000 semi-final.

Anastasia Potapova’s stunning run to the semi-finals as a lucky loser has lifted her from 56th to 38th.

Former world No 1 Karolina Pliskova has soared 68 places from 195th to 129th after her run to the quarter-finals.

Alex Eala has climbed two spots to 42nd after winning one match before falling in the second round.

Losers outside the top 10

Emma Navarro and Maya Joint both missed the Madrid Open, and they have each dropped six places, falling to 34th and 35th respectively.

Maria Sakkari has suffered a 10-place slide to world No 47 after losing her opening match in the Spanish capital.

Donna Vekic has slipped from 66th to 87th after falling in the opening round of qualifying.

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Jannik Sinner has been told that he will now face a whole new wave of pressure after his big rival Carlos Alcaraz was ruled out of the upcoming Italian Open and the French Open.

Sinner played Alcaraz inn the final of both the Rome tournament and at Roland Garros last year, with the Spaniard coming out on top on both occasions.

Their final in Paris was one of the greatest tennis matches of all-time with Sinner failing to convert two match points in the fourth set before going on to lose a fifth set tie-breaker.

There would have been an expectation that the ‘Big 2’ in men’s tennis would meet again in this year’s Roland Garros final, but Alcaraz’s wrist injury has paused their rivalry for now.

According to former British No 1 Greg Rusedski, Alcaraz’s injury will ensure an even brighter light will be shone on Sinner, as he spoke on an upcoming edition of the Off Court with Greg Rusedski podcast.

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“There’s a lot more pressure and expectation, because I’m saying he’s gonna win the French Open, he’s gonna win Madrid, he’s gonna win Rome, he should win everything he plays now,” said Rusedski, in an exclusive podcast extract on Tennis365.

“Then imagine if Alcaraz doesn’t show up to Wimbledon. Again, the pressure will be on. You should win everything, you should win everything. That’s not easy to manage that expectation and pressure.

“Yes, he’s mentally tough, but all of a sudden you take away his biggest rival and everybody says you should win. The other players are looking like they’re starting to step up as well.

“So far, Jannik has been unbelievable. I’ve been watching him this week. When he is challenged, Janik puts on the afterburners.

“What I’ve noticed this week is the use of the slice short sometimes to bring his opponents in, the willingness to come forward. And he just plays all the time the right shot. Even though he doesn’t always execute it.

“It reminds me of Rafa. Rafa said this wonderful quote in 2019 when he was playing the US Open finals. He said that technically I can miss, but mentally I can’t disappear.

“I think from Rafa’s point of view, that’s what made him so strong. And also from the point of view of Jannik Sinner, that was also his main strength was between the ears. And that’s what makes him so good.”

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Domination from one player is not always the best recipe for interest in any sport, but Rusedski does not believe a Sinner trophy clean sweep in the absence of Alcaraz will be bad for men’s tennis.

“I don’t think it would be bad because it’s history-making,” added Rusedski. “If he wins everything on the board, he will have won all nine Master Series titles and all four Grand Slams if he wins in Paris. That would be amazing.

“There’s very few players that have done that in the history of our sport. So imagine he has all nine Masters and all four majors at such a young age.”

READ NEXT: Carlos Alcaraz: Latest injury rumours suggest a quick return may not be possible

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