October 6th, 2025
The 2025 tennis season may be hurtling towards its conclusion, but there was still plenty of action over the last week in Asia. If you missed it, read on for a breakdown of all the big storylines, both on and off the court.
Anisimova’s breakthrough year continues
The WTA Tour was in Beijing over the last week, with the first of two back-to-back WTA 1000s taking place. This time, it was Amanda Anisimova who lifted the trophy (as we predicted), continuing what has been a brilliant surge in 2025.
The American took down Linda Noskova in the final, having already knocked out Jasmine Paolini and Coco Gauff en route to the championship match. In doing so, she became the only woman to defeat each of the world’s top three (Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Gauff) this season.
Having been ranked No 41 in February, Anisimova has now collected two WTA 1000 titles and made two Grand Slam finals, propelling herself to No 4 in the rankings.
Shanghai Masters is Djokovic’s to lose
A few hours south by bullet train, the first week of the ATP Shanghai Masters was unfolding. Despite a week remaining, there has been plenty of drama already.
First, on the eve of the event, title favorite Carlos Alcaraz withdrew citing an injury collected in his Tokyo title run. Then, the heat and humidity – plus the long season so far – began to take its toll on the draw.
As of writing, there have been seven mid-match retirements, not to mention a handful of other players who pulled out ahead of their opening matches. World No 2 Jannik Sinner was the latest casualty, suffering extreme cramps that left him barely able to walk in set three against Tallon Griekspoor.
The Italian was forced to retire, and now the Shanghai Masters looks like Novak Djokovic’s to lose. The former champion had his own struggles, vomiting on-court during his three-set win over Yannick Hanfmann. However, with no top-10 players remaining in his half of the draw, and only Alex de Minaur or Alexander Zverev to threaten him from the upper half, the Serbian has a prime chance to add to his title tally.
Sinner’s withdrawal also all but hands the year-end No 1 spot to Alcaraz, who now holds a 1,540-point lead heading into the final month of the season.
Zverev sparks beef with Sinner and Alcaraz
Speaking of Zverev, the German made some comments this week that sparked a fairly bizarre controversy with Sinner and Alcaraz.
After beating Valentin Royer in his opening match in Shanghai, the world No 3 took aim at the court speeds on the ATP Tour.
“I hate that court speeds are the same in all tournaments,” Zverev said. “I know that the directors of all major events are moving in that direction because they want Jannik and Carlos to perform well and potentially reach the final.
“You couldn’t play tennis the same way on a grass court, hard court, and clay court,” he continued.
“Nowadays, you can play almost the same way on every surface. I don’t like it, I’m not a fan of it. I think tennis needs game styles, tennis needs a little bit of variety, and I think we’re lacking that right now.”
When questioned about Zverev’s comments, Sinner looked understandably confused.
“Me and Carlos, we don’t make the courts. It’s not our decision,” he said.
“We try to adapt ourselves in every situation. I feel like every week is still a bit different. I’ve played some great tennis even on faster courts. But I’m not making the courts, so I just try to adapt and play my best tennis, and that’s it.”
Jannik Sinner's reaction to Zverev saying tournament directors are making the courts all the same speed to help him & Carlos Alcaraz
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 4, 2025
"Wow. I don't know what to say on that one to be honest."
He was genuinely baffled. ????
(via @LinaShokh)
pic.twitter.com/zhEkZlUcRn
This may be a good time to mention that in the last six months, Sinner and Alcaraz have won titles on fast (Wimbledon), medium (US Open) and slow courts (Roland-Garros).
Coming up this week
This week, there’s no time off as the Shanghai Masters heads towards its final this Sunday, while a new WTA 1000 gets underway in Wuhan.
The remainder of Shanghai is a big opportunity for the likes of Alex de Minaur, Holger Rune, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Lorenzo Musetti, who will all look to further their ATP Finals qualification.
Over in Wuhan, Sabalenka returns for the first time since winning the US Open, and will look to regain some momentum ahead of the WTA Finals. Others will be eager to secure their own qualification, Gauff included, who has seen a slip in form recently.
