2026 Schedule Update | Ben Shelton and Casper Ruud set for final preparation in Auckland

With the confirmation of the Entry List for the ASB Classic in Auckland, Ben Shelton and Casper Ruud will head over to New Zealand for one final tournament before the Australian Open begins.

Taking place in the same week as Adelaide, the tournament will end the day before the main draw starts in Australia albeit for top stars like Ruud, Mensik and Shelton who top the draw it isn't likely to affect too much if they go far in Auckland albeit it might be a minor inconvenience to play multiple games in a row.

In the WTA for instance, many aren't playing during that second week on purpose seemingly to train ahead of the Australian Open while some prefer match practice. Ruud for one has been injured for most of the back end of the 2025 season so likely needs matches, the same can be said for Jakub Mensik if he does indeed play. He has only just this week withdrawn from the Macau TennIs Masters after he also withdrew from the Next Gen ATP Finals which begin on Wednesday 17 December.

Others involved in Auckland include Luciano Darderi, Cameron Norrie, Alex Michelsen, Lorenzo Sonego, Alexandre Muller with Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka among those already to receive wildcard entries into the event. Monfils has already stated his intention to retire shortly and his wife Elina Svitolina will play in the WTA event in the week prior. He plays World Tennis League alongside her so they will be travelling together in the coming weeks it seems.

The Frenchman will play for the last time in Auckland and has been given a wildcard to do so. Into his 22nd year as a professional, he has remained at the top of his game and is defending champion at the event. Now he will aim to go out on a high defending the title back-to-back then a new champion would be crowned next year.

“I had a racket in my hands for the first time at two and a half, and began playing professionally at 18," he wrote. "Now, after celebrating my 39th birthday just a month ago, I’d like to share that the year ahead will be my last as a professional tennis player.

"The opportunity to turn my passion into a profession is a privilege I have cherished during every match and moment of my 21-year career. Though this game means the world to me, I am tremendously at peace with my decision to retire at the end of the 2026 tennis season.”

“When you love something so much, it never feels like a good time to say goodbye,” wrote Monfils. “But 40 will be the right time for me. Of course, winning one more title before I’m done would be truly incredible. Truthfully though, my only real goal for the year ahead is simple.

“To enjoy every minute, and to play each match like it’s my last.”

But in Ruud, Shelton and Mensik, it is a good line-up assembled. Usually it is the WTA tournament that gets the players who don't want to be involved in Brisbane or United Cup and the men's event usually suffers. In reality though Naomi Osaka who was a big get for the event withdrew and this left them scrambling.

No Emma Raducanu or Amanda Anisimova who have been standout stars in the past so it was a late find of Emma Navarro and Elina Svitolina who sit in the top 20 but are the only players in the top 32 who will play in the WTA event. There are multiple in the ATP field so a very exciting time for the event. But whether some now withdraw due to the fact that it is the week before the Australian Open is always a possibility.