Carlos Alcaraz to Play Erste Bank Open in Vienna After Jannik Sinner’s Withdrawal

Carlos Alcaraz has committed to play at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, joining the ATP-500 tournament field at the Wiener Stadthalle following the sudden schedule shift of the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia, tournament organizers announced. With a prize pool of 2,797,985 euros, the event runs from October 24 to November 1, 2026, and features six players ranked in the top ten of the world rankings.

Tournament Director Herwig Straka Secures Late Addition

Tournament director Herwig Straka acted quickly after learning that the Six Kings Slam event planned in Saudi Arabia would move to late December. Straka contacted the management of Carlos Alcaraz, and the 23-year-old Spaniard agreed to enter the Vienna draw without hesitation. According to tournament announcements, Alcaraz will arrive in the Austrian capital on October 24 to begin preparations and is scheduled to play his opening match on Tuesday, October 27.

How the Six Kings Slam Reshaped the Vienna Field

The adjustment in the tennis calendar directly influenced player availability across late-October events. While the postponement of the exhibition tournament opened a clear window in Alcaraz’s schedule, the field also felt the impact of Jannik Sinner ending his season early due to an injury. Sinner’s absence meant the player who won the previous title would not return to the Wiener Stadthalle, prompting organizers to secure high-profile commitments to maintain the event’s stature.

Top Seeds and Prize Money at the Stadthalle

Carlos Alcaraz enters the tournament as the world number three and will be seeded second behind Alexander Zverev. Alongside Zverev and Alcaraz, the updated entry list features Daniil Medwedew at number six, Flavio Cobolli at number seven, Alex de Minaur at number nine, and Frances Tiafoe at number ten, bringing the total count of top-ten participants to six.

Csm atp erste bank open wien alcaraz
Photo: ÖTV

Ticket Information and Schedule Details

Matches will take place across the Wiener Stadthalle and the Marx Halle, with single-day tickets priced at 25 euros for tournament matches, wheelchair tennis events, and player training sessions. Admission is free for children up to age five, while youth tickets for ages six to fifteen cost 12.50 euros. Family passes covering two adults and up to four children are available for 69 euros, alongside daily and weekly VIP packages.

What Comes Next in the Vienna Draw

Players will assemble in Vienna ahead of the opening matches, with official tournament practices set to begin in the Marx Halle.

Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.

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