Stefanos Tsitsipas delivered a notably direct reaction when asked about Nick Kyrgios’ positive test for cocaine, offering an answer that was far from guarded.

Former world No 13 Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency after failing a dope test at the Mallorca Championships in June this year. The Australian later addressed the issue on social media, writing “I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it” and adding that he would “do the work and come back better”. He now faces a possible ban of up to four years, the maximum penalty for an anti-doping violation.

Tsitsipas, however, suggested the case was not simply an isolated lapse. Speaking in a post-match press conference after his opening-round victory over Arthur Fils at the US Open, he was asked: “How did you react when you heard about Nick Kyrgios’ suspension for doping? Did it surprise you?”

After a pause, Tsitsipas said: “I don’t know what to tell you. I mean, to be entirely honest with you, I knew about this before the announcement. Myself, I knew about it.

“So what can I tell you? I will just tell you the truth. I knew about all of this before any announcement was made, and when I saw it on social media, I was, like, ‘here we go’. I kind of expected it, to be honest.”

When asked again, “Did you know about this from before?”, he responded: “I knew that those were things that were happening away from the tennis courts, I will tell you that.

“I’m not going to try and cover up someone that I know the truth for. I’ll consider myself a nice person with everyone, but these were behaviours that I personally heard on the tour and heard other people in that same environment saying those sort of things to me.

“Again, when I saw it, I was like, well, pretty much expected to be honest. I am surprised it came so late though.”

Kyrgios has also faced scrutiny because he previously criticised Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and Simona Halep after their own failed dope tests and subsequent bans.

Novak Djokovic posted a short note on social media after his unexpected US Open exit, offering no hint about what came next after a difficult opening day in New York.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion was beaten by Mariano Navone in the round of 128 at Flushing Meadows, with the Argentine claiming Djokovic’s first-ever first-round loss in New York. The scoreline was 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

The loss drew attention not only because of the result, but because of the way it unfolded. Djokovic was seen vomiting twice during the match and, after moving ahead 2-1 in the fourth set following an early break, he won only one more game. At 1-3 down in the final set, he was in tears as the end approached, before Navone completed the victory in four hours and 36 minutes.

Inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, the crowd responded with a standing ovation, and Djokovic acknowledged the support he received while struggling physically. Many fans also chanted his name during the contest.

Twelve hours after the defeat, Djokovic addressed the moment on Instagram with a simple message: “Forever grateful, New York.”

His future in New York next year remains uncertain, especially after a testing spell that has now included similar physical issues. After losing in the semi-final at Wimbledon, the 39-year-old returned at the Cincinnati Open, where his campaign ended after one match against Thiago Austin Tirante. That defeat also involved vomiting and physical problems.

A few weeks later, the same concerns surfaced again against Navone. Even so, Mats Wilander believes Djokovic is not finished.

“It was very sad,” the former world No 1 told TNT Sports. “I’m not exactly sure what happened to him, how bad he was feeling before, because he did throw up on the court. Was it because of the length of the match or was it something that he had fought with before?

“To see him in tears because he can’t play at 100% level, that’s very sad. But it just tells the whole story: he’s not retiring, he’s going to come back another year and he’s going to keep pushing and keep trying, because he feels like he can still be a threat.”

Johanna Kota also said it is too soon to suggest the career is nearing its end.

“He has been physically struggling – he hasn’t named what it is but he does struggle in humidity. He has alluded that something is going on but he also has said that he’s going to try to find a solution to it,” she said.

“I don’t think he’s going away. He is going to give it his best crack to find a way to keep playing on his own terms and retire on his own terms.”

Greg Rusedski has described Alex Eala as tennis’ biggest name right now as she gets ready to begin her 2026 US Open campaign.

The 21-year-old arrives in New York with clear momentum. She ended 2025 ranked 50th and has climbed inside the top 20 ahead of the season’s final Grand Slam. Even with her serve still ranked outside the world’s top 50, the Filipina continues to push into new territory and is seeded 17th at Flushing Meadows.

Eala’s appeal stretches well beyond results. She has built a sizeable following among spectators at her matches and across social media, where anything linked to her draws heavy attention.

Before her Tuesday meeting with American Mary Stoiana, former US Open finalist Rusedski praised the Washington Open champion and said he sees the possibility of a long run in New York, with world No 1 status not out of reach one day.

Speaking on his podcast, he said, “Well, she does. And it was very interesting during the practice sessions, a certain Uncle Tony, Rafael Nadal’s uncle, showed up on the practice courts with her, saw the team out there.

“And whenever she’s going to practice, the noise for her practice sessions is unbelievable. I think she’ll be pretty comfortable in her opening round. I think something like 6-3 6-3.

“I think she’s got a draw which is difficult but I think she’ll find a way into the fourth round against [Coco] Gauff. I think she has a real shot to win that one if she gets there as well. So I have nothing but respect for her.

“I think she’s got a great mentality. She loves the hard courts. This surface is perfect for the way she plays. If she can just keep on improving that service she’s working on, the sky’s the limit for her. She could get to number one.

“She is right now by far, in my opinion, the biggest star in our game. She gets the most hits on social media, the most views. She is just wonderful for our sport. So I can’t wait for that opener. Looking forward to it and looking forward to ‘Eala Mania’ throughout these two weeks of the championships.”

If she gets past Stoiana, Eala could next meet another American in Reese Brantmeier, though Oleksandra Oliynykova may yet alter that path. A possible third-round match with Iva Jovic would be notable, especially with the teenager having won both previous meetings in straight sets. Gauff could then await in round four, although Eala has only reached that stage of a Grand Slam once before, at Wimbledon this year.

Her popularity has also been reflected in ticket demand. According to Front Office Sports, prices for her opener have risen sharply, with Tuesday’s night session set to feature Eala and the get-in price climbing as interest has grown. Whether that pull translates into results on court will become clearer this week.