Stan Wawrinka closed another chapter at a tournament that has long figured in his career, bowing out in the opening round of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. The three-time major winner fell 7-5, 7-5 to Sebastian Baez, ending a relationship with the event that stretches back two decades.

Wawrinka first appeared at the Monte-Carlo Country Club 20 years ago and built memorable moments there, including a semifinal run in 2009 that followed his first head-to-head victory over Roger Federer. His most notable result came in 2014, when he captured his only ATP Masters 1000 title, rallying past Federer after facing match points. “Matches against Roger were always complicated because of this close relationship, so having been able to overcome this and win the tournament was exceptional for me,” he reflected in press.

Now ranked No. 104 after a return to the Top 100 in mid-February, Wawrinka has split his time between tour-level events and ATP Challenger tournaments since the 2025 season began. He is plotting a modest schedule as he pursues appearances at the remaining majors and a handful of preferred stops.

“I’m playing next week Barcelona, then probably Rome (qualifying), Geneva. I will see if I have the chance to play Roland Garros,” Wawrinka said.

He further outlined his hopes for the grass and summer swing. “I would love to play something on the grass. Hopefully Wimbledon. Then I play Gstaad, Estoril. Hopefully I can play US Open. We will see if I play a tournament before, Cincinnati (qualifying) or maybe a challenger. After, we’ll see. Basel, for sure. Lyon also.”

Basel remains a fitting potential finale, but Wawrinka has not committed to a definitive end point. For now, his focus is on fitting the rest of 2026 into a final season that honours both his past successes and the practicalities of the present ranking and form.

Raul Brancaccio won the Open Menorca title, defeating Spanish qualifier Alex Martinez 6-1, 6-4 in the final of the ATP Challenger 100 event. The Italian alternate claimed the third Challenger trophy of his career, while Martinez’s run from qualifying to the championship match emerged as the week’s most notable storyline.

Brancaccio added Menorca to earlier Challenger wins in San Benedetto in 2022 and Noumea, New Caledonia in 2023. He reached the final after surviving a dramatic semifinal with American qualifier Dali Blanch, prevailing 6-3, 0-6, 7-6 (2) in one hour and 53 minutes. “Dali played really well but I stayed focus and I was positive until the end,” Brancaccio said after the semifinal. He acknowledged a physical dip in the second set. “I am not sure what happened,” Brancaccio admitted. “I have to check with the physio and then we’ll see. I hope to be ready for tomorrow.”

On the final day at the Club de Tenis Ciutadella the world No. 379 converted four of five break-point chances and won 59 per cent of the points played to close out the title in 69 minutes. “I am very happy to have won the title. The last few years have not always been easy for me,” said Brancaccio, who is based in Valencia, Spain and has previously been ranked inside the world’s Top 125. “Now I will try to build on the level I showed here.” He earned €23,750 and 100 ATP Ranking points and will next compete at the Monza Open.

Martinez, 25, arrived in Menorca through qualifying and produced a string of upset wins on clay. He beat top seed Valentin Royer 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-3 then, hours later, defeated Pol Martin Tiffon 7-6 (5), 6-1. “Winning in the afternoon after already being tired is a great effort,” Martinez said after reaching the semifinals. He then defeated Daniel Rincon 7-5, 7-5. “I was staying strong mentally,” Martinez said afterwards. “Yesterday was a physical day for both of us as we both had to play two matches. After a huge effort like this, it’s easy to let go. I was really thinking about backing up this today.”

Martinez’s background includes four years at the University of Oklahoma, selection for the ATP Next Gen Accelerator in 2024 and two ITF titles last season in Tulsa and Harlingen. Reaching Menorca’s final marked the second Challenger title match of his career. “It means a lot, as there is a lot of struggle and pain going through this sport,” Martinez said before the final. “You have to sacrifice a lot and have to work really hard. It is just a reward for the push I have been done the last couple of months and after my injury.” Off court he kept things simple. “Every evening we go out for a walk, keeping our phones in the hotel room,” Martinez said. “There is a good environment in the town. It’s quite ‘tranquilo’ and it’s good to disconnect.” “It’s been helping. We have been doing it since Tuesday and here I am in the final,” Martinez had said on Saturday.

Raul Brancaccio captured the Open Menorca title, defeating Spanish qualifier Alex Martinez 6-1, 6-4 in the final of the ATP Challenger 100 event. The Italian alternate secured the third Challenger crown of his career while Martinez’s progression from qualifying to the championship match became the defining story of the week.

Brancaccio added Menorca to previous Challenger victories in San Benedetto in 2022 and Noumea, New Caledonia in 2023. He reached the final after surviving a dramatic semifinal against American qualifier Dali Blanch, prevailing 6-3, 0-6, 7-6 (2) in one hour and 53 minutes. “Dali played really well but I stayed focus and I was positive until the end,” Brancaccio said after the semifinal. He admitted to struggling physically in the second set. “I am not sure what happened,” Brancaccio admitted. “I have to check with the physio and then we’ll see. I hope to be ready for tomorrow.”

On a sunny afternoon at the Club de Tenis Ciutadella, the world No. 379 converted four of his five break-point opportunities and won 59 per cent of the total points to close out the title in 69 minutes. “I am very happy to have won the title. The last few years have not always been easy for me,” said Brancaccio, who is based in Valencia, Spain and has previously been ranked inside the world’s Top 125. “Now I will try to build on the level I showed here.” He earned €23,750 and 100 ATP Ranking points and is scheduled to compete next at the Monza Open.

For Martinez the week represented a breakthrough. The 25-year-old from Barcelona arrived via qualifying and beat top seed Valentin Royer 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-3 before returning hours later to defeat Pol Martin Tiffon 7-6 (5), 6-1. “Winning in the afternoon after already being tired is a great effort,” Martinez said after booking his place in the semifinals. He then beat Daniel Rincon 7-5, 7-5 in the semifinal. “I was staying strong mentally,” Martinez said afterwards. “Yesterday was a physical day for both of us as we both had to play two matches. After a huge effort like this, it’s easy to let go. I was really thinking about backing up this today.”

Martinez’s background includes four years at the University of Oklahoma, a degree in Human Relations, selection for the ATP Next Gen Accelerator in 2024, and two ITF titles last season in Tulsa and Harlingen. He has rebuilt after injuries to both knees and now trains in Barcelona with two coaches and a fitness trainer. Reflecting on his run, he said: “I had good wins against a top 100 player and a top 200 player, you are happy, but the job wasn’t done,” he said. “It got me nervous today, but I stayed mentally strong every ball during the match.” He added: “It means a lot, as there is a lot of struggle and pain going through this sport,” Martinez said before the final. “You have to sacrifice a lot and have to work really hard. It is just a reward for the push I have been done the last couple of months and after my injury.”

Off court, Martinez kept a simple routine. “Every evening we go out for a walk, keeping our phones in the hotel room,” Martinez said of his first tournament trip with his coach. “There is a good environment in the town. It’s quite ‘tranquilo’ and it’s good to disconnect.” He also noted: “It’s been helping. We have been doing it since Tuesday and here I am in the final,” Martinez had said on Saturday.