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Rennae Stubbs criticises Toronto schedule after late-night Rybakina run
Stubbs blasts Toronto scheduling after Rybakina’s late finish and quick turnaround in the final.
Rennae Stubbs has sharply criticised the scheduling at the Canadian Open, arguing that tournament organisers left players exposed to unfair conditions after a punishing week in Toronto.
The issue came into focus after Elena Rybakina’s late-night semi-final victory over Coco Gauff, a three-set battle that ended at 1 am. Rybakina then had to return for the final against Iga Swiatek the following evening, a turnaround Stubbs believes was far too harsh. Swiatek, who looked fresher, won the title 6-2, 6-3, while Rybakina appeared to be running on empty in the showpiece.
Concerns about the draw and the calendar have only grown as the Masters 1000 events continue to stretch over long periods. Players, pundits and fans have all questioned the format, with some top names withdrawing injured and others visibly drained by the demands of an increasingly physical game.
On her podcast, Stubbs argued that the schedule showed little regard for recovery or balance. She said, “I was thinking to myself when Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina played in the final, you guys had 10 days to finish this event.
“And yet a player plays a semi-final and finishes at 1am and then has to come back the next day and play at 6pm. I do not understand how a sport can make one person suffer a lot more than the other and it’s supposed to be equal. That is not fair.
“Why are you starting at 7pm plus when you have all f***** day to play a tennis match? Now, do you want to play in the evening because people can come after work or it’s a little bit nicer of an experience and all that sort of stuff? Yeah, okay. But is Canada going to sell out in the day? Hell yeah.”
Stubbs later said the final being delayed by rain did not change her view that the semi-final and final were scheduled too close together. She also praised Swiatek’s return to form after a difficult period, but felt Rybakina was compromised by the timing.
Her co-host Caitlyn Thompson added that the ATP had promoted longer events as a way to provide more rest, but Stubbs said the reality had been the opposite. She concluded, “Start the f****** match in the day. It just bothers me to the nth degree that we are still continually f****** the players over with schedule.”
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Alcaraz’s return nears as US Open call remains unsettled
Alcaraz nears a comeback, but his US Open participation remains uncertain ahead of late summer.
Carlos Alcaraz is edging toward a comeback, but a place at the US Open is still not guaranteed.
The Spaniard has been sidelined for five months after sustaining a wrist injury at the Barcelona Open in April. That setback ruled him out of Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and his return remains under careful watch as the summer progresses.
He is now back on court in Murcia, where he has been hitting with noticeable intensity alongside fellow ATP player Holger Rune. Even so, his availability for the US Open is still uncertain.
That uncertainty has prompted discussion around his possible appearance at the final Grand Slam of the season. Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, addressed the situation on social media and offered a measured view of what Alcaraz’s comeback might mean.
Macci said: “If the Spanish Magician plays the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year, TV ratings will be top tier. Coming off an injury and being the best on the planet will show his game and if his mind is still like granite.
“It is still 50/50 that he takes a bite of the Big Apple and wants to battle and grapple. Carlos will play when he feels ready to have fun but his overall comeback will take time to get to number one.”
If he does not make the US Open, the most likely next step would be the Laver Cup at the end of September. Alcaraz was among the first players to commit to the 2026 event, which will be held in London at The O2 Arena.
He has already played the competition in the past two seasons and has spoken positively about the team format, with Team Europe facing Team World. The event offers a competitive setting without the full pressure of the ATP Tour, which could make it a useful stage for him to regain rhythm.
Alcaraz could feature in both singles and doubles as he looks to test his wrist. After that, the schedule moves into a demanding stretch that includes the Asian swing, the indoor European swing, the final two Masters tournaments, and the ATP Finals.
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US Open wildcard calls settle some debates and fuel others
USTA wildcard picks for the 2026 US Open settle some questions and spark debate.
Wildcard decisions are among the most closely watched announcements before a Grand Slam, and the USTA’s latest choices ahead of the US Open have clarified several matters while opening the door to fresh discussion.
From New York on Tuesday, the governing body revealed which players secured main draw places and which ones were left needing to fight through qualifying.
“Former US Open women’s singles champions Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens have received singles main draw wildcards to the 2026 US Open,” the statement said.
“They join fellow Americans Carol Young Suh Lee, Reese Brantmeier and Thea Frodin, who also earned singles main draw wildcards, as well as France’s Leolia Jeanjean and Australia’s Taylah Preston.
“Meanwhile, Americans Janae Preston, Katrina Scott, Caroline Dolehide and more have received wildcards to the women’s singles qualifying tournament.”
The announcement also effectively removes any remaining uncertainty over Serena Williams in singles at the event. The 23-time Grand Slam champion is set to appear in New York in doubles alongside Venus.
The men’s wildcard list produced its own talking point, with Gael Monfils selected ahead of former champion Stan Wawrinka. It is the final season on tour for both players.
“Gael Monfils and Alexei Popyrin headline the recipients of the 2026 US Open Men’s Singles Main Draw wildcards,” said the USTA statement. “Rising American stars Michael Zheng, Martin Damm, J.J. Wolf, Sebastian Gorzny and Jack Kennedy have also been awarded wildcards.
“2014 US Open finalist Kei Nishikori was given a wildcard into the US Open Qualifying Tournament, where 128 athletes compete in the hopes of winning three matches in a row during the qualifying draw, which earns them one of the final 16 spots in the main draw.
“Several Americans join Nishikori in the qualifying event as wildcard recipients, including Michael Antonius, Andrew Johnson, Jordan Lee, Trevor Svajda, Andre Ilagan, Spencer Johnson and Daniel Milavsky.”
Much of the reaction centred on Monfils being chosen over Wawrinka, with the decision drawing criticism from social media users. The USTA’s Reciprocal Wildcard Agreement with the Australian Open and French Open shaped part of the selection process, which helped Monfils and Popyrin earn their places.
The release also appears to confirm that former US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper will not compete at this year’s event, with an injury placing his future in the sport in doubt. His deactivated Instagram account earlier this week has only added to the speculation.
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Draper’s US Open mixed doubles place remains uncertain after entry list update
Draper’s US Open participation is uncertain after mixed doubles entry lists were updated.
Jack Draper’s involvement in the 2026 US Open is now in doubt after the latest mixed doubles entry list for the New York major was published.
The event was redesigned from the 2025 edition to bring together high-profile singles players in mixed doubles. At Flushing Meadows, the main draw now includes 16 teams and is staged over two days during US Open fan week.
Six partnerships receive direct entry based on combined singles rankings, while the draw also reserves eight wildcard places and two spots for teams coming through qualifying. The six direct-entry teams have already been set, and five of the eight wildcard pairings have now been revealed.
Draper teamed up with Jessica Pegula at the 2025 tournament, and the pair had previously appeared together on entry lists for this year’s competition. They were unable to qualify directly because of Draper’s current ranking, and they are also absent from the five wildcard teams announced so far.
With three wildcard openings still unfilled, the pair could still be added later.
Even beyond mixed doubles, Draper’s presence in the singles event is not assured. He would need a main draw wildcard because of his ranking at the entry deadline, though he could also enter qualifying, which overlaps with mixed doubles.
There are broader concerns as well, with Draper still dealing with a bone bruising injury in his left arm. The former world No 4 has played only 16 matches since his second-round defeat to Marin Cilic at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships more than 13 months ago.
He returned earlier this month at the Canadian Open, where he lost to Terence Atmane in the opening round. In the third set, his serve speed dropped sharply, and he broke down in tears during a changeover while trailing 1-4.
Last week, he again appeared physically troubled in a 6-3, 7-5 first-round loss to Martin Landaluce at the Cincinnati Open.
Sabalenka sharp in Cincinnati as world No. 1 battle tightens
Rick Macci says Alex Eala could contend for No 1 with a serve rebuild
Rennae Stubbs criticises Toronto schedule after late-night Rybakina run
Alcaraz Confronts On‑court Microphones During US Open Practice Ahead of Opelka Match
Raducanu Arrives at US Open With Momentum After Strong Hard‑Court Swing
