Alex Eala kicks off her North American hard-court swing at the 2026 Washington (ATP) tournament on Monday, riding a career-high ranking of No. 29 after a successful grass court campaign that captivated Filipino tennis fans. But the biggest story of the week belongs not to anyone on court—it's the avalanche of withdrawals shaking the men's game before the US Open. Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic have both pulled out of the Canadian Open, citing fitness concerns, prompting the tournament director to call for scheduling changes to address the "demanding calendar". Carlos Alcaraz, sidelined since April, has set his sights on the Cincinnati Open as a comeback target before Flushing Meadows.
The injury toll extends beyond men's tennis: Emma Raducanu faces a sharp rankings slide that could force her into qualifying rounds, while the WTA Washington draw pits Alex Eala against a nightmare first-round opponent. Meanwhile, Francesca Jones successfully defended her Challenger title in Palermo, and Alexander Zverev, buoyed by his recent French Open victory, has an "opportunity" to reach world No. 1. Washington opens Monday; the US Open draw arrives next month, but the health of tennis's elite is already the headline.