Daniil Medvedev and Felix Auger-Aliassime have been among the standout players in the 2026 ATP season.
Medvedev is in an exclusive group with multiple ATP titles, while Auger-Aliassime has also emerged victorious this year.
And their similarities certainly don’t end there, with both players having decided to make major decisions after Wimbledon.
Medvedev split with his coach after a third round exit, while Auger-Aliassime has parted ways with his coach too following his quarterfinal run.
And it seems that neither are ready to return to action just yet, which could just boost their chances for a revival at the US Open.
Who is your pick to win the US Open men’s singles title?
Daniil Medvedev and Felix Auger-Aliassime smart to withdraw from Washington
In a blow for the ATP Tour, both Medvedev and Auger-Aliassime have decided to withdraw from the Mubadala DC Open in Washington.
It is scheduled to take place in the United States from 27 July to 2 August, with the ATP 500 event now going ahead without two of its biggest stars.
But it’s certainly a wise move from the pair, who can instead enjoy an additional week to themselves rather than getting their hard-court swing underway.
They can choose to do what they wish with their time off, with plenty of time available to train on the surface if needs be.
There are also plenty more hard-court tournaments between now and the start of the US Open, which returns at the very end of August.
Fortunately for the Mubadala DC Open and its fans, home favorites Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz are still in the field, alongside defending champion Alex de Minaur.
Can Daniil Medvedev and Felix Auger-Aliassime contend at the US Open?
It’s fair to say that Medvedev and Auger-Aliassime are at different stages of their careers right now, but they will both want to seriously contend at the US Open.
The Russian has, of course, been there and done it all before, claiming his only Grand Slam title at the tournament in 2021.
Medvedev also lost the 2019 and 2023 US Open finals, which suggests another lengthy stay is on the cards, despite his shock first round exit in 2025.
| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
| Loss | 2019 | US Open | Hard | Rafael Nadal | 5–7, 3–6, 7–5, 6–4, 4–6 |
| Loss | 2021 | Australian Open | Hard | Novak Djokovic | 5–7, 2–6, 2–6 |
| Win | 2021 | US Open | Hard | Novak Djokovic | 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 |
| Loss | 2022 | Australian Open | Hard | Rafael Nadal | 6–2, 7–6(7–5), 4–6, 4–6, 5–7 |
| Loss | 2023 | US Open | Hard | Novak Djokovic | 3–6, 6–7(5–7), 3–6 |
| Loss | 2024 | Australian Open | Hard | Jannik Sinner | 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 4–6, 3–6 |
In stark contrast, Auger-Aliassime reached the semifinals last year, and did the same in 2021, when he was beaten by eventual champion Medvedev.
He will also have momentum from his recent Wimbledon run, with the pair certainly among the candidates who are capable of upsetting the leading stars.
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