Alcaraz set for blockbuster showdown, Zverev repeats epic US Open match-up: ATP Finals draw announced

The draw for the 2026 ATP Finals has been announced with some scintillating matches lined up, as the world’s best tennis players go head-to-head.

Alexander Zverev has US Open Final rival Ben Shelton in his group, while Carlos Alcaraz will take on the unpredictable hard court specialist Daniil Medvedev, with plenty more exciting draws scheduled.

If Carlos Alcaraz wins every single match, he’ll be set for a record payday, but the Spaniard faces huge competition to make it a reality.

READ NEXT: Taylor Fritz says what everyone is thinking about major tennis issue as Alex Eala suffers in final

Who is in at the 2026 Nitto ATP Finals and what is the format?

The world’s eight highest-ranked male players enter the ATP Finals. In order of ranking, these players are Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, Arthur Fils, Frances Tiafoe and Rafael Jodar.

The players are divided into two groups of four. The top seeded player goes into Group A and the second seeded player is then placed into Group B, etc, with the final four then drawn at random in pairs.

The players will go up against each other in a round-robin format in their respective groups, playing best of three-set tennis matches.

The top two players from both groups then go into a knockout phase, with the winner of Group A playing the second-placed player in Group B, and vice versa.

These two Semi-Finals and then a Final are all played to best-of-three sets also.

The first two sets are decided with a standard first-to-seven tie-break, while the deciding set goes to a first-to-ten 'Match Tie-Break'.

The 2026 ATP finals draw in full: Alcaraz vs hard court king Medvedev

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)

Francis Tiafoe (7)

The route to the final for Alcaraz and Zverev

If Alcaraz tops his Group B, he’ll have to play the runner-up of Group A out of Zverev, Shelton, Fils and Jodar.

Though Group A is difficult to call, Zverev has a 6-0 record against Shelton, making the German’s overall win in this mini-league look extremely likely. However, with Fils and Jodar being much less consistent, it’s likely that American Shelton will grab the second spot.

That therefore means one opening knockout match would be Alcaraz vs Shelton, setting up a potential repeat (albeit in best of three sets) of their 2026 US Open Quarter-Final. Alcaraz would then play Zverev in the ATP Final.

With Alcaraz seen as very likely to take his top Group B spot, the runner-up qualifying place behind him is much more open.

Who would likely win out of Medvedev, Cobolli and Tiafoe and therefore play Group A winner Alexander Zverev? Though all are closely matched, Medvedev is the hard court specialist and the best bet for runner-up.

That therefore makes Alexander Zverev’s most-likely knockout route to ATP glory via first the tricky Daniil Medevedev, and then a showdown with Carlos Alcaraz.

READ NEXT: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will be rivalled by one player claims Stan Wawrinka - and it's not Rafael Jodar

This is the schedule for the 2026 ATP Finals

Main Draw Round-Robin Matches: Sunday November 15 - Friday November 20

Afternoon session: 3pm (singles)

Evening session: Not before 9.30pm (singles)

Semi-finals: Saturday November 21

Afternoon session: 3.30pm (singles).

Evening session: Not before 9.30pm (singles)

Final: Sunday November 22

Singles final at 7pm

This is the prize money for the Nitto ATP Finals

The total prize money on offer for the Nitto ATP Finals is $15,750,000.

Below is a breakdown of the singles prize money available

ATP Singles prize money

Undefeated Champion: $5,171,000

Final Win: $2,412,000

Semi-Final Win: $1,206,000

Each Round-Robin Match Win: $405,000

Participation Fee: $338,000*

Alternate: $156,000

READ NEXT: Carlos Alcaraz could earn $5.17m in one week - but cannot lose single match to claim the full amount

Who won the last years of ATP Finals in 2025?

Home favourite Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(7-4) 7-5 in Turin last year, his second overall victory at the ATP Finals.

“I feel I am a better player than last year, I think this is the most important,” he said. “It's all part of the process. I always say and believe that if you keep working and trying to be a better player, the results, they're going to come.”

However, the player suffered a serious knee injury this season, and hasn't played since winning Wimbledon.