Good morning, Court Theorists! ☕️☀️
Today’s tennis mood: Ready for more + preparing for at least one stressful situation.
Let’s tennis!
-Allen
🎾 On tap: Washington is putting up another strong order of play today with Alex Eala vs. Qinwen Zheng, two massive lefty serves of Martin Damm vs. Ben Shelton, top-seed Alex de Minaur vs. a renewed Stefanos Tsitsipas, young guns Arthur Fils vs. Rafael Jodar, and Venus Williams in prime time against Anastasia Potapova. Los Cabos and Memphis have no shortage of fascinating matches, as well. More on all of that below.
ICYMI: It was a rough day at the office for Frances Tiafoe, who lost to Terence Atmane at home after holding a perfect 3-0 record against the Frenchman. Madison Keys lost control of the match against Liudmila Samsonova, going down in three sets. And Kei Nishikori pulled off a win against Juncheng Shang in his first ATP Tour event of the year.
🎾 The struggle continues: Jack Draper pulled out of Washington on Monday due to his ongoing left arm injury. Draper, who, at 147 in the world, required a wild card to gain entry into the 500-level tournament, was set to face Alex Michelsen in the first round for just his sixth tournament of 2026.
What he said: “These last months have felt like nothing but adversity and setbacks. Most days I’ve spent in doubt, yet hopeful that I can keep taking positive steps forward and finding ways to progress,” Draper posted on Instagram. “On days off, I reflect, and I’m only grateful for the struggle and what it’s teaching me. Finding acceptance and being patient with the process has been my biggest challenge, but I know I’m getting closer to where I want to be!! Very lucky to have such amazing people to help guide me through this storm, and so with that… we keep persevering. Thank you for all the support and love ♥️”
Noteworthy: In one respect, Draper truly must have believed he was close to competing. He traveled to Washington and was on the practice courts for a couple of days with Andy Murray by his side. At the same time, the wording of his post feels like he’s trying to convince himself of the positives.
🎾 Mixing it up: U.S. Open organizers released the entry lists for the year’s final major. And, while some are breathing a temporary sigh of relief that their currently injured faves are on the list for the moment, others are less than thrilled at the mixed doubles pairings. The entrants are not complete and are sure to change. But, as of now…
Current teams: Sabalenka/Djokovic, Pegula/Draper, Stearns/Stearns, Townsend/Zverev, Rybakina/Fritz, Bencic/Cobolli, Errani/Vavassori, Eala/Auger-Aliassime, Swiatek/Ruud, Fernandez/Tiafoe, Osaka/Nishikori, Shnaider/Medvedev, Anisimova/Tien, Siniakova/Patten, Ruse/Borges, Andreeva/Rublev
Yes, but: The questions are many, but here are a few: Why, Taylor, why?!? Is Pegula aware of Draper’s status? Ruse and Borges? 🤔
Noteworthy: There are some fun pairings, too. Osaka/Nishikori, Stearns/Stearns, Eala/Auger-Aliassime, and Anisimova/Nishikori are all delightful for different reasons. And Siniakova/Patten just might be the challenge two-time defending champs Errani/Vavassori need to make this interesting.
🎾 One to watch: Alex de Minaur vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas (1st round - ATP 500 - Washington): Watch this one for everything that’s at stake in an unbelievable first-round match-up. De Minaur has not held back that things are not at all A-Ok in his tennis life. Still, he’s got 500 points to protect as defending champ. And right off the bat, he’s facing Stefanos Tsitsipas, whom he’s only defeated once. For his part, Tsitsipas is experiencing a resurgence after firing his father (again), taking the title in Gstaad just over a week ago.
The record: Stefanos Tsitsipas leads the head-to-head record over Alex de Minaur 12-1.
🎾 🏆 🎤 YOUR CALL
(Yesterday’s poll results: 66% of you called for Taylor Fritz to defeat Zizou Bergs. Fritz won 6-3, 6-4.)
And that’s game.
