The tennis calendar shifts its focus toward the Asian swing following the conclusion of the Laver Cup in London, with qualifying rounds opening across multiple cities. Players are competing in ATP and WTA events in Beijing and Tokyo, alongside concluding rounds in Chengdu and Hangzhou, as the autumn series gathers momentum.
Laver Cup Conclusion in London Sets the Stage
Weekend headlines centered on the Laver Cup, where tennis figure Roger Federer spoke on-site about the world number one Jannik Sinner. Federer remarked that Sinner is currently playing the best tennis on tour. Federer also offered praise for Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and rising players Rafael Jodar and Learner Tien, while reflecting on his own retirement from professional competition alongside Rafael Nadal.
Alexander Zverev secured the title for Team Europa at the regional team tournament on Sunday afternoon. The reigning US Open champion defeated American competitor Learner Tien with a score of 7:6 (7:3), 6:3.
International Team Competition and Asian Tour Openers
Away from the exhibition circuit, the Czech Republic women’s team captured their twelfth Billie Jean King Cup title in Shenzhen, China. Led by Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, the Czech squad defeated the Ukrainian team 2:0 in the final of the prestigious women’s international team competition, marking their first championship victory since 2018.
Simultaneously, qualifying matches opened for the Beijing tournaments. German competitors Yannick Hanfmann and Mina Hodzic entered the early qualifying draws in the Chinese capital, with compatriots Daniel Altmaier and Anna-Lena Friedsam scheduled for subsequent sessions. Meanwhile, the tournament schedules in Chengdu and Hangzhou moved into the semifinal rounds, featuring matches such as Daniil Medvedev against Roman Safiullin in Hangzhou.
