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ATP & WTA Tour 2026: What fans can expect on the tour

Last modified on22 December 2025

The 2026 tennis season is casting its shadow ahead and the starting position has rarely been as exciting as it is now. With the 2026 ATP and WTA calendars published, new tournament locations, strategic reforms and a top-class generation of players at the top, the coming year promises to be a real highlight in both sporting and structural terms. For fans, this means more top tennis, new storylines and decisive decisions for the future of the sport.

Both the ATP and the WTA are focusing on continuity in 2026, combined with targeted innovations. The global expansion of the tours, new event formats and the increasing importance of team competitions show where tennis is heading and why it is worth following the season closely right from the start.

ATP Calendar 2026: Dense season with targeted innovations

The 2026 ATP calendar comprises 59 tournaments in 29 countries and remains one of the most extensive in international sport. The proven structure of 9 Masters 1000 tournaments, 16 ATP 500 events and 29 ATP 250 tournaments ensures a good balance between prestige, ranking points and playing opportunities for different player profiles.

The changes to the tournament calendar are particularly exciting! Estoril in Portugal is returning as an ATP 250 event and will once again bring top-level clay court tennis to southern Europe. Marseille will be moved from its traditional February date to October, while Stockholm will be held in November in future. The indoor tournament in Metz, on the other hand, will be dropped from the calendar - a clear sign that the ATP is continuing to optimize its schedule.

In addition to the Grand Slams, the sporting highlights of the season include the United Cup, the Davis Cup, the Laver Cup, the Next Gen ATP Finals and the ATP Finals 2026 in Turin, which will bring together the best eight players of the season from November 15 to 22. The season finale in particular remains the ultimate yardstick for consistency and top performance.

WTA Calendar 2026: Global aspirations and strong signals

The WTA Tour 2026 is also continuing its growth trajectory. With over 50 tournaments in 26 countries, the tour underlines its global aspirations and offers players a broad platform on all continents. The structure is divided into 10 WTA 1000 tournaments, 17 WTA 500 events and 22 WTA 250 tournaments, with seven of the top events once again being held in the modern 12-day format.

The WTA Finals 2026 in Riyadh are once again a central element of the season and are the subject of intense debate, not only in sporting terms but also politically and economically. At the same time, the return of Ostrava as a WTA 250 tournament at the beginning of February shows that traditional tennis venues continue to play a role.

The United Cup 2026, held jointly with the ATP, remains an important signal for cooperation between the two tours. The mixed team format combines sporting relevance with entertainment value and has established itself as a strong season opener.

The big players & stars in focus 2026

The 2026 season could set the tone for some of the biggest names in women's tennis Aryna Sabalenka is going into the year with the ambition of further consolidating her position at the top of the world rankings. Her focus is once again likely to be on the hard court Grand Slams and selected WTA 1000 tournaments, where she can use her explosive style of play particularly effectively.

Iga Świątek on the other hand, will continue to be the benchmark for consistency. With a clearly structured tournament schedule, huge dominance on clay and steady progress on hard and grass courts, 2026 could be another year in which she collects major titles and makes her mark on the tour.

On the ATP side, the focus is increasingly on the balance between established top players and the next generation of players who want to regularly advance to the decisive tournament phases by 2026 at the latest.

Jannik Sinner: Consistency is the key to the top

Jannik Sinner goes into the 2026 season as one of the most consistent players on the ATP Tour. His variable baseline game, combined with mental stability, makes him a firm title contender, especially at Masters 1000 tournaments and Grand Slams. The decisive factor will be whether he can maintain his high level of performance throughout the season, because then a place at the top of the rankings and an exciting battle between Freund and his rival Alcaraz is realistic.

Carlos Alcaraz: Explosiveness meets maturity

With Carlos Alcaraz the main focus in 2026 will be on his further development as a complete player. His blend of athleticism, creativity and aggressive style of play continues to make him a crowd favorite. If he manages to focus his season planning even more specifically on the major tournaments, 2026 could be a year in which he not only seriously attacks several majors but also wins all four.

Alexander Zverev: Experience and big goals

For Alexander Zverev 2026 will be all about experience and consistency at the highest level. With his strong service performance and improved mental stability, he remains a dangerous opponent on all surfaces. At the Grand Slams and the ATP Finals in particular, he is once again likely to be one of the players who can have a significant impact on the tournament.

Ben Shelton: Next-gen power with breakthrough potential

Ben Shelton is regarded as one of the most exciting representatives of the next generation. His powerful serve, paired with an aggressive forward game, makes him particularly dangerous on fast surfaces. For Shelton, 2026 could be the year in which he regularly advances to the second week of tournaments at major events and establishes himself permanently among the top players.

Trends that could shape the 2026 tennis season

The tours are not only evolving in sporting terms. Issues such as equal rights, prize money and visibility are a particular focus for the WTA. At the same time, the increasingly busy calendar raises questions about sustainability, the burden on players and long-term planning.

Next gen is also moving more into the spotlight: young talents who have already hinted at what is possible in 2025 could finally make their breakthrough in 2026. This will be supported by a growing media presence, new streaming offerings and the development of additional global markets.

Conclusion: Why tennis 2026 is a must for fans

The 2026 tennis season combines sporting class, structural changes and global visions like hardly any other year before. A top-class tournament calendar, strong personalities, new formats and trend-setting decisions make the season a real must-see for tennis fans.

Tennis-Point accompanies you throughout the year - with analysis, tournament reports, equipment tips and all the important updates from the ATP and WTA Tour.

👉 Now it's your turn: Which players, tournaments or storylines do you think will dominate in 2026? Share your predictions in the comments on social media and discuss with the #teamyellow community!

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Last modified on 22. December 2025