The primary full week (plus just a few days) of tennis is within the books, and the Australian Open is beckoning, with most important draw motion simply over one week away. So, whose shares are up and whose shares are down?
Inventory Up: Hubert Hurkacz
After lacking seven months because of knee surgical procedure – his second in two years – Hubert Hurkacz has returned to the tour with a vengeance. His shifting like a younger stallion and raining down aces with supreme confidence. The Pole, ranked 83, would be the participant that no one needs to see when the Australian Open draw is revealed subsequent week. he
He served 21 aces in every of his first two matches, wins over Alexander Zverev and Tallon Griekspoor, and was simply barely edged out by Alex de Minaur in three tight units within the United Cup quarterfinals (Hurkacz fired one other 19 aces within the match, although).
Inventory Down: Taylor Fritz
Fritz talked to reporters about the truth that he didn’t have sufficient time in the course of the low season to fully rid himself of knee troubles. That’s scary when you may have a participant that has logged over 75 matches in every of the final three seasons, speaking about the potential for shutting it down if issues don’t enhance. Add to that the truth that Fritz misplaced two of his first three United Cup matches – to Sebastian Baez and Stefanos Tsitsipas – and you’ve got your self a pink flag.
Inventory Up: Belinda Bencic
Constructing on her comeback season, one which featured an increase all the way in which to No.11 on the planet and journey to the Wimbledon semifinals, Bencic is trying like a participant that’s headed for the High-10 this season. She’s been a tour de drive in singles and doubles on the United Cup, going 6-0 total by means of the quarterfinals – the right begin to what might be one other stellar yr for the Swiss.
Inventory Down: Jiri Lehecka and Jakub Mensik
We all know they’re gifted, and certain headed for the High 10. However rising Czechs Jakub Mensik and Jiri Lehecka are already trying fatigued within the first week of the season and that isn’t an incredible signal. Lehecka was compelled to desert his Brisbane title protection within the spherical of 16 as he pulled out of his match with Sebastian Kora with an ankle harm. Mensik has battled sickness and misplaced two out of three on the United Cup (to De Minaur and Zizou Bergs in straight units).
Inventory Up: Alexandra Eala and Iva Jovic
Two younger weapons that made an enormous impression on the WTA Tour final yr are doing extra of the identical in Auckland this week. 18-year-old Iva Jovic and 20-year-old Alexandra Eala jumped out of the video games shortly, each reaching the semis.
Inventory Down: Sloane Stephens
Final yr was depressing for 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens. She ended 2025 carrying a 12-match tour-level profitable streak. It’s now 13 after Stephens fell to Mexico’s Renata Zarazua 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 within the first spherical at Auckland.
Inventory Up: Stefanos Tsitsipas
A 2025 season tormented by again issues took Tsitsipas all the way down to 34 on the planet. In 2026, te former world No.3 is again and feeling match, and it’s exhibiting in his tennis. Tsitsipas earned his first High-10 win in 18 months towards Fritz on the United Cup, and he’s already 3-0 on the yr.
Inventory Down: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
2025 was a brilliant strong yr for Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. He received 43 matches, reached 4 finals and began this yr at No.14 on the planet (a career-high). He additionally began the yr with a loss, nevertheless, falling because the No.2 seed in Brisbane to Brandon Nakashima.
Inventory Up: Zizou Bergs
After falling to Zhang Zhizhen in his first match on the United Cup, Bergs rebounded with back-to-back High-20 wins, over No.5 Felix Auger-Aliassime and No.18 Jakub Mensik. Bergs turned the lowest-ranked participant – and the primary exterior the highest 20 – to say a number of ATP or WTA prime 20 wins at a single version of the United Cup.
Inventory Down: PTPA
With out Novak Djokovic, certainly one of its co-founders, the way forward for the PTPA does certainly look bleak. How will they fulfill their bold agenda with out the GOAT on the helm?
Inventory Up: Christian Harrison and Jakub Paul
They’re way more unsung than their celebrity doubles companions at United Cup (Harrison has been paired with Coco Gauff and Paul with Belinda Bencic), however give these two credit score for exhibiting off their doubles chops as every went 3-0 of their first three matches, and all six of the wins have been in deciding rubbers.
Marta Kostyuk
The Ukranian has reeled off back-to-back High-10 wins to succeed in the Brisbane semifinals. She took out Amanda Anisimova and Mirra Andreeva in straight units to earn High-10 wins on the identical occasion on laborious courtroom for the primary time since 2023.
