The ATP has announced the tournaments voted best by players in 2026, with the Shanghai Masters, Qatar Open and Almaty Open receiving honours in their respective categories. The three events stood out not only for the experience they offered competitors but also for some memorable moments on court throughout the season.
Shanghai was selected as the best ATP Masters 1000 tournament, Doha retained the ATP 500 award for a second consecutive year, while Almaty received its first recognition in the ATP 250 category.
Each tournament produced a different storyline, including a historic all-Spanish final in China, Carlos Alcaraz's first title in Qatar and Daniil Medvedev's successful title defence in Kazakhstan.
The awards are determined through player surveys and divided into three categories according to tournament level. Here is a closer look at the three winners and the tennis that helped make their 2026 editions memorable.
Shanghai leads the Masters 1000 category
The Shanghai Masters was voted ATP Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year for the first time since 2013, ending a 13-year wait for the Chinese event to reclaim the honour.
Its 2026 edition delivered a particularly memorable final, with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina overcoming fellow Spaniard Rafael Jódar 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 to claim his first Masters 1000 title. It was also the first all-Spanish final on hard courts in the history of the ATP Masters 1000 category.
Jódar, aged just 20, enjoyed a breakthrough run to the championship match, while Davidovich Fokina produced an impressive comeback after losing the opening set. The champion's campaign was even more remarkable given that he had saved a match point against Frances Tiafoe in the third round.
The tournament was also recognised for its facilities and hospitality. Players particularly enjoyed additions such as a mini-golf course, a games room and expanded lounge areas, alongside the practice facilities available away from the main site.
The three tournament winners and their championship-match results were:
| Category | Tournament | Champion | Runner-up | Final score |
| ATP Masters 1000 | Shanghai Masters | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | Rafael Jódar | 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 |
| ATP 500 | Qatar Open | Carlos Alcaraz | Arthur Fils | 6-2, 6-1 |
| ATP 250 | Almaty Open | Daniil Medvedev | Nikoloz Basilashvili | 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-3 |
Doha retains its award as Almaty earns first recognition
The Qatar Open retained its ATP 500 Tournament of the Year award after also winning the category in 2025, following its promotion from ATP 250 level.
The 2026 edition was headlined by Alcaraz, who claimed his first title in Doha after defeating Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-1 in the final. The Spaniard faced a challenging route to the trophy, overcoming Karen Khachanov in the quarterfinals before defeating defending champion Andrey Rublev in the last four.
Fils also enjoyed an impressive week, reaching the final after victories over Jiri Lehecka and Jakub Mensik. However, Alcaraz proved too strong in the championship match, adding another trophy to his collection during an outstanding season.
Carlos Alcaraz poses with Qatar Open Trophy
Almaty, meanwhile, received the ATP 250 Tournament of the Year award for the first time. The Kazakh event's third edition at the Almaty Arena featured Medvedev, who defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-3 in the final.
The victory marked the first successful title defence of Medvedev's ATP Tour career. Basilashvili also had a notable week, reaching his first ATP Tour final since 2022 before falling to the Russian.
Alongside the three main awards, seven other tournaments received the ATP's Standards of Excellence recognition.
ATP Masters 1000: Monte-Carlo Masters
ATP 500: Barcelona Open, China Open (Beijing), Queen's Club Championships (London), Vienna Open
ATP 250: Bastad Open, Stockholm Open
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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