Top tennis stars confirmed for Estoril Open 2026

Three of the world’s top 20 tennis players will compete at this year’s Estoril Open, organisers have confirmed.

Former champion Casper Ruud, current world number 12, will headline the field alongside Russia’s Andrey Rublev (13) and Italy’s Luciano Darderi (16), giving the Portuguese tournament one of its strongest line-ups in recent years.

Tournament director João Zilhão announced the latest entries today (June 23), while also confirming that Portuguese player Jaime Faria and Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka have been awarded two of the event’s three wild cards.

Faria – currently ranked 97th in the world after an impressive performance at Roland-Garros, where he reached the third round – narrowly missed out on direct entry into the main draw, which closed with France’s Luca van Assche at world number 82.

Meanwhile, Wawrinka will make what is expected to be his final appearance on clay at the Estoril Open. The 41-year-old former Grand Slam champion is currently on a farewell tour and remains one of the most recognisable names in world tennis.

The field also includes Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi (35), a recent Roland Garros semi-finalist, Belgian rising star Alexander Blockx (37), 2024 Estoril Open champion Hubert Hurkacz (47), and 2017 winner Pablo Carreño Busta (71).

Previously confirmed players include Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (25) and Portugal‘s top-ranked player Nuno Borges (53).

The strength of the line-up is a boost for the tournament as it returns to the ATP circuit after being held as a Challenger event in 2025.

This year’s competition will also take place at a different time of year, running from July 18 to 26 rather than its traditional spring slot.

The summer schedule has prompted organisers to adjust match times, with Saturday’s semi-finals and Sunday’s singles final set to begin at 5.30pm following the doubles final.

With three top-20 players, former champions, rising stars and one of the sport’s most celebrated veterans all set to compete, organisers will be hoping the event’s ATP return attracts strong crowds to the Estoril Tennis Club.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.