The tennis off-season is heating up, and players from both the ATP and WTA tours are giving fans plenty to talk about as they prepare for the 2026 season. From intense training sessions to surprise on-court appearances, the latest wave of social media updates offers a snapshot of life beyond competition.
One of the biggest talking points comes from Italy’s Camila Giorgi. The former World No. 26, who announced her retirement in May 2024, has been seen practicing again—this time alongside Greek player Despina Papamichail, currently ranked outside the top 150. Giorgi shared photos from the session, instantly sparking speculation about a possible return to professional tennis. Her retirement had been surrounded by controversy and public scrutiny back home, which she later dismissed as baseless. Now, even a casual hit has reignited interest in whether she might be plotting a comeback.
Elsewhere, newly crowned ITF World Champion Jannik Sinner is wasting no time getting back to work. The World No. 2 has linked up with fellow Italian Luciano Darderi at the Mouratoglou Academy, sharpening his game ahead of the Australian Open. Fresh off a season that earned him the ITF’s top individual honor, Sinner is gearing up to defend his Melbourne crown and chase a fifth Grand Slam title. Darderi, meanwhile, is preparing for his own 2026 debut in Auckland.
While some stars are grinding through preseason blocks, others are mixing preparation with downtime. Stefanos Tsitsipas has been sharing snaps from a beach holiday before facing a new challenge in January—entering the Australian Open unseeded for the first time in seven years after finishing the season outside the top 30.
In Monte Carlo, Alexander Zverev is deep into training mode as he gets ready to lead Germany at the United Cup. Sharing the same practice base is Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, who recently played a key role in Italy’s Davis Cup triumph, stepping up in the absence of bigger names.
Across the Atlantic, Sofia Kenin is putting in the work at the Evert Tennis Academy. The former Australian Open champion is preparing for her favorite part of the season, with Brisbane and Adelaide lined up as warm-ups before returning to Melbourne, where she claimed her only Grand Slam title.
Finally, a familiar face made a welcome return to the court for a good cause. Sabine Lisicki, the former Wimbledon finalist, took part in the Baha Mar Cup charity event in the Bahamas. Playing alongside legends and current stars, Lisicki admitted how much she missed being on court, calling the experience unexpected, fun, and deeply meaningful.
From surprise practice sessions to serious title preparations, the tennis world’s offseason is anything but quiet—and with the new season just around the corner, the buzz is only growing.
