Sinner’s connection with the Erste Bank Open goes back several years. In 2019, the Italian arrived in Vienna as World No. 119 with a wildcard. Tournament director Herwig Straka invited him back in 2020. Since then, Sinner has become one of tennis’s biggest stars – and won the tournament in 2023 and 2025.

Fans will remember his most recent triumph well: In last year’s final, Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev in three thrilling, high-quality sets. Afterwards, he spoke warmly about the tournament: “Vienna is a very special tournament for me, and I like the city too. People have always looked after me well here. If I play a tournament this week, it’s Vienna.”

The two could meet again in 2026. Zverev, the 2021 Vienna champion, is on the entry list alongside Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli and fan favourite Frances Tiafoe. They are joined by Learner Tien, Jakub Menšík, Brandon Nakashima, Tommy Paul and Lorenzo Musetti, among others. That makes five players from the world’s top 10 and ten from the top 20. Even before the official entry deadline on 30 September, an outstanding field is taking shape.

For now, though, the spotlight belongs to the defending champion: Can Sinner follow his victories in 2023 and 2025 by lifting the trophy on his third consecutive visit to Vienna?