Scouting Report
Scouting Report: Musetti, Medvedev & Fonseca amongst stars opening 2026 in Brisbane & Hong Kong
An govt abstract of what each fan ought to know concerning the coming week
January 03, 2026
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Lorenzo Musetti, Daniil Medvedev and Joao Fonseca are competing on the ATP Tour this week.
By ATP Workers
A spread of stars are set to kickstart their 2026 campaigns this week with an ATP 250 doubleheader in Brisbane and Hong Kong.
Daniil Medvedev is the highest seed on the Brisbane Worldwide offered by ANZ, the place defending champion Jiri Lehecka and #NextGenATP expertise Joao Fonseca additionally compete. Prime 10 star Lorenzo Musetti headlines motion on the Financial institution of China Hong Kong Tennis Open and is joined by former winners Andrey Rublev and Alexandre Muller.
ATPTour.com appears to be like at 5 issues to observe at every occasion.
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH IN BRISBANE1) Medvedev on the march: Medvedev could have endured a troublesome 2025 season, however he can take confidence from his late-season surge as he begins his 2026 quest. The previous No. 1 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings employed coaches Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke earlier than snapping his 15-month title drought in Almaty in October. Medvedev’s finest lead to Brisbane got here in 2019 when he reached the ultimate.
2) Two-time winner Dimitrov: After a heartbreaking pectoral damage at Wimbledon — when he was compelled to retire two units up towards Jannik Sinner within the fourth spherical — Grigor Dimitrov returned in Paris however withdrew forward of his second match. Many eyes shall be on the 34-year-old’s bodily state when he opens his season in Brisbane, the place claimed the trophy in 2017 and 2024.
3) Defending champ Lehecka: Australia has been a contented looking floor for Lehecka. The Czech has gained each of his two ATP Tour titles within the nation, having triumphed in Adelaide in 2024 and Brisbane final 12 months. The 24-year-old is getting into 2026 off the again of a stellar 12 months, rising to a career-high World No. 16 and incomes 41 wins, in keeping with the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
4) Fonseca & Tien seeded prospects: The previous two winners of the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals offered by PIF, Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien, make their debuts on the Australian ATP 250. Each gamers loved breakout seasons final 12 months, with Fonseca profitable titles in Buenos Aires and Basel, whereas Tien triumphed in Metz and Jeddah.
5) Money/Glasspool lead doubles discipline: Julian Money and Lloyd Glasspool gained seven ATP Tour titles collectively final season and can attempt to win their first of the brand new marketing campaign in Brisbane. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Lehecka additionally staff within the doubles occasion.
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH IN HONG KONG1) Musetti prime seed: After a season wherein he competed on the Nitto ATP Finals for the primary time and rose to a career-high World No. 6, there’s heightened expectation on Musetti in 2026. The Italian prime seed reached three finals final 12 months, however he’s aiming to win his first title since 2022, when he gained in Hamburg and Naples.
2) Rublev resurgence? Having final 12 months dropped outdoors of the Prime 10 for the primary time since 2022, Rublev will goal to start out his season on the correct foot in Hong Kong. The previous World No. 5 gained the title on his debut in 2024 however fell within the second spherical of his title defence final 12 months.
3) Extra Muller magic? Muller turned simply the third participant to win an ATP Tour title having misplaced the primary set of each match he performed in en path to the crown in Hong Kong final season. The Frenchman then reached the ultimate on the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro and jumped contained in the world’s Prime 40.
Watch 2025 Hong Kong Remaining Highlights:
4) #NextGenATP Sakamoto: Rei Sakamoto, 19, has gained entry to the ATP 250 via the Subsequent Gen Accelerator, which presents gamers aged 20 and underneath extra alternatives to compete on Tour. The Japanese participant gained the 2024 Australian Open boys’ title and reached No. 1 within the ITF Junior Rankings.
5) Khachanov/Rublev in doubles draw: Karen Khachanov and Rublev will staff within the doubles occasion, with singles star Musetti additionally in doubles motion alongside Lorenzo Sonego. Sander Arends and Romain Arneodo are the highest seeds.
