Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are set to return to grass courts for the first time this season at ATP 500 events in Halle, Germany, and London, respectively. Sinner, currently ranked World No. 1, will lead a competitive field at the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle. Joining him are Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, and Joao Fonseca. Meanwhile, Alcaraz will headline the HSBC Championships in London alongside British No. 1 Jack Draper and Top 10 players Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune.
In Halle, five key points of interest include Sinner’s attempt to defend his title after losing the Roland Garros final to Alcaraz. “The Italian will hope to bounce back from his agonising Roland Garros final defeat,” reads a report on ATPTour.com. Home favorite Zverev is also competing following a strong performance in Stuttgart. Fonseca returns with a wild card entry after his first tour-level match on grass last year. Both Tsitsipas and Medvedev aim to improve their recent performances as they seek form in Halle.
Additionally, several singles stars will participate in doubles matches: Sinner with Lorenzo Sonego, Fonseca with Petros Tsitsipas, and Zverev with Marcelo Melo.
In London, Alcaraz will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his opening match since winning his fifth major at Roland Garros. Draper leads British hopes after a successful year that included an ATP Masters 1000 title win in Indian Wells. Other notable competitors include Fritz, Rune, and De Minaur who are all vying for their first ATP 500 title.
Ben Shelton and Jakub Mensik arrive as potential threats with Shelton entering as a Top 10 player for the first time following a semi-final run in Stuttgart. In doubles action, Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic are top seeds with Wimbledon champions Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten seeded second.