Djokovic Chases Turin Spot, Alcaraz & Rybakina Headline This Week

ATP finals race heats up as Djokovic returns in Basel, Wawrinka farewell

The battle for the ATP Finals in Turin heats up in Basel and Vienna. On the WTA Tour, Swiatek withdraws as Rybakina headlines the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

Djokovic chases ATP Finals spot while Rybakina leads the field in Tokyo....

The battle for a place at the season-ending ATP Finals heats up again this week, with the indoor hard-court double-header of Basel and Vienna in focus. On the women's side, the Asian swing wraps up with action in Tokyo and Guangzhou.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of this week's ATP and WTA events.

Basel Spotlight: Djokovic Returns After 14 Years

The fight for the final spots at the ATP Finals in Turin intensifies, as 39-year-old Novak Djokovic makes a surprise return to the ATP 500 in Basel for the first time since 2011.

Sitting 11th in the Live Race to Turin, the Serb begins his campaign against France's Ugo Humbert as he pushes to secure a record-extending 19th qualification for the year-end championships.

He finds himself in the same half as top seed Ben Shelton, with the American looking to rediscover his best after an early third-round defeat at the Shanghai Masters.

How The ATP Rankings Look Now

Fritz, Fils In The Mix As Wawrinka Prepares For Farewell

Three more contenders for Turin feature in the Basel field in Arthur Fils, Rafael Jodar and Taylor Fritz.

Second seed Fils will start against a qualifier or lucky loser, Jodar is up against Alejandro Tabilo, while Fritz faces a tough opener versus Stefanos Tsitsipas.

It will also be an emotional week for three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka, who will bring the curtain down on his career after Basel. The 41-year-old Swiss begins his final tournament against eighth seed Jiri Lehecka.

Alcaraz Headlines Strong Field In Vienna

Carlos Alcaraz leads a loaded line-up in Vienna as the Spaniard aims to recover from a shock early defeat in Shanghai and make a fast start to his European indoor swing.

The world No. 3 faces a tricky start at the ATP 500, with former top-10 player Karen Khachanov awaiting him in the opening round.

Mouthwatering matchups from the get-go 😍🍿 The Basel & Vienna draws are set! https://t.co/akJb8lSuRH

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 24, 2026

Medvedev Eyes Back-to-Back Titles While Zverev Chases No. 1

Fresh from lifting the title in Almaty last week, Daniil Medvedev can further boost his Turin hopes with another strong showing in Vienna. The Russian, who sits fifth in the Live Race, opens against Daniel Merida Aguilar.

It is also a pivotal week for Flavio Cobolli, Alex de Minaur and Frances Tiafoe, all of whom need big points to keep their ATP Finals qualification chances alive heading into next month.

Elsewhere, top seed Alexander Zverev has the chance to reach world No. 1 for the first time in his career if he makes the quarter-finals. The German starts his bid against wildcard Martin Landaluce.

Tokyo Takes Centre Stage As Swiatek Withdraws

Iga Swiatek and Marta Kostyuk have both withdrawn from the Pan Pacific Open due to injury, ending their hopes of qualifying for the WTA Finals, with the field for Indian Wells now finalized.

Despite their absence, the WTA 500 in Tokyo still boasts a strong line-up, headlined by world No. 1 Elena Rybakina and Wuhan champion Maja Chwalinska as the top two seeds.

Draw at the Tokyo WTA 500 includes Naomi Osaka vs. Jasmine Paolini in the first round. https://t.co/Wj5r9n3fGL

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 25, 2026

Rybakina and Chwalinska both get a bye into the second round, as do third seed Diana Shnaider and fourth seed Belinda Bencic.

Home favourite Naomi Osaka faces a marquee opener against former world No. 4 Jasmine Paolini, while Elise Mertens, Alexandra Eala and Leylah Fernandez will all be eyeing a strong finish to the Asian swing.

Snigur Leads Field As Venus Returns In Guangzhou

Elsewhere in Asia, the WTA 250 in Guangzhou offers a big opening for those further down the rankings, with Ukraine's Daria Snigur entering as the top seed.

Wildcard Venus Williams meets Austrian teenager Lilli Tagger in a eye-catching first-round tie, with Janice Tjen, Paula Badosa and Sofia Kenin also featuring in the draw.