Alcaraz is ready for an exciting big match, and Zverev will face off in an epic US Open rematch: ATP Finals draw is out!
The draw for the 2026 ATP Finals has been announced, and there are some exciting matches ahead as the world’s top tennis players face off.
Alexander Zverev will be in the same group as his US Open Final rival Ben Shelton, while Carlos Alcaraz will take on the unpredictable hard-court expert Daniil Medvedev. There are plenty more thrilling matchups to look forward to.
If Carlos Alcaraz wins every match, he’s set for a record-breaking payday, but it won’t be easy with strong competition all around.
The eight highest-ranked players in the world will compete in the ATP Finals. They are, in order: Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, Arthur Fils, Frances Tiafoe, and Rafael Jodar.
These players are split into two groups of four. The top seed goes to Group A, the second seed to Group B, and the rest are placed alternately, with the last four drawn randomly in pairs.
Each player will compete in a round-robin format within their group, playing best-of-three-set matches. The top two players from each group move on to the knockout stage. The winner of Group A will face the runner-up of Group B, and vice versa.
The Semi-Finals and Final are also best-of-three sets, with the first two sets decided by a regular first-to-seven tie-break, and if needed, the third set ending with a first-to-ten ‘Match Tie-Break.’
Here are the groups:
**John McEnroe Group (A):**
– Alexander Zverev (1)
– Ben Shelton (3)
– Arthur Fils (6)
– Rafael Jodar (8)
**Ivan Lendl Group (B):**
– Carlos Alcaraz (2)
– Daniil Medvedev (4)
– Flavio Cobolli (5)
– Frances Tiafoe (7)
If Alcaraz tops Group B, he’ll likely face one of the runners-up from Group A — Zverev, Shelton, Fils, or Jodar. While Group A is tough to predict, Zverev has a 6-0 record against Shelton, making him the favorite to win that mini-league. Since Fils and Jodar can be less consistent, Shelton may take the second spot.
This means there’s a good chance of an Alcaraz vs. Shelton knockout match — a replay of their 2026 US Open Quarter-Final, but this time best of three sets. If Alcaraz reaches the final, he could face Zverev there.
For the runner-up spot in Group B behind Alcaraz, the race is wide open between Medvedev, Cobolli, and Tiafoe. Medvedev, being a hard court specialist, is the favorite to claim that spot.
So Zverev’s likely path to winning the ATP means first facing Medvedev, then potentially a final showdown against Alcaraz.
**Match Schedule:**
– Round-Robin Matches: Sunday, November 15 – Friday, November 20
*Afternoon sessions start at 3 pm; Evening sessions not before 9:30 pm*
– Semi-Finals: Saturday, November 21
*Afternoon session at 3:30 pm; Evening session not before 9:30 pm*
– Final: Sunday, November 22 at 7 pm
The total prize money for the Nitto ATP Finals is $15,750,000. Here’s how the singles money breaks down:
– Undefeated Champion: $5,171,000
– Final Win: $2,412,000
– Semi-Final Win: $1,206,000
– Each Round-Robin Win: $405,000
– Participation Fee: $338,000*
– Alternate: $156,000
Last year, home favorite Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(7-4), 7-5 in Turin for his second ATP Finals win. “I feel like I’m a better player than last year, and that’s the most important thing,” he said. “If you keep working hard and improving, the results will come.”
Unfortunately, Sinner suffered a serious knee injury this season and hasn’t played since winning Wimbledon.