One of the biggest parts of the tennis season is upon us, with the Asian swing getting underway this week.

ATP action starts in Chengdu and Hangzhou this week, before prestigious events across Tokyo, Beijing, and Shanghai in the coming month.

Ahead of action, we look at five key ATP talking points to follow ahead of the fascinating swing.

Sinner looks to extend – and defend – No 1 cushion

With a gap of over 4,000 ranking points at the top of the ATP Rankings, Jannik Sinner doesn’t need to worry too much about sealing the year-end No 1 ranking – which is all but guaranteed.

However, this Asian swing gives him the chance to maintain that lead, and potentially extend it.

The Italian has 500 points to defend at the China Open, where he cemented his place as an emerging force in the game with victory in 2023.

Sinner is then set to play the Shanghai Masters, where he was beaten in the Round of 16 in 2023, meaning he could gain another 900 points with a run to the title.

Based on his form this year, you would not bet too much against the Italian doing just that.

Alcaraz targets US Open bounceback

Carlos Alcaraz suffered one of the most difficult defeats of his career at the US Open, coming off the back of an early exit in Cincinnati – and a tough loss in the Olympic final.

The world No 3 played Davis Cup last week and will be in Laver Cup action this coming weekend, but the Asian swing will be where he gets back into the full swing of things.

Alcaraz was beaten by Sinner in the Beijing semi-finals in 2023 and then fell in the fourth round of Shanghai to Grigor Dimitrov, making the swing not a massively successful one.

However, that may ease pressure on him this time around and allow him to play under slightly less expectations.

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Will Djokovic play?

Twelve months ago, Novak Djokovic skipped the entirety of the Asian swing, not playing in between his US Open victory and the Paris Masters.

This time around the Serbian is entered into Shanghai, where he is a four-time champion – but will he play?

Djokovic has made it clear that his priority is now Grand Slams and Davis Cup and he may choose to focus on rest and a slow build-up to 2025.

However, after an early US Open exit and an easy time of things at the Davis Cup last week, a run in Shanghai may be best for him to stay mentally and physically match fit.

Can Zverev hold on to No 2?

This season has not brought Alexander Zverev a maiden Slam but it has cemented his status as one of the most consistent players on tour, with the German up to No 2 in the world – and second in the ATP race.

Currently, the German has a cushion of 385 ranking points over world No 3 Alcaraz ahead of the Asian swing, and it will be interesting to see if he can maintain that slim advantage.

As previously mentioned, Alcaraz does not have a huge chunk of points to defend this swing – but then neither does Zverev.

Much like the Spaniard, he reached the last four in Beijing but then lost his opening matches in Shanghai and Tokyo.

The battle for world No 2 will be a fascinating one over the coming months.

Hurkacz, Shelton under rankings pressure

Few players are facing as significant ranking pressure as Hurkacz and Shelton this swing, with huge points and titles for both to defend.

Hurkacz was a surprise Shanghai champion in 2023, the Pole winning the second Masters 1000 title of his career in China with victory over Andrey Rublev.

This season has been bumpy for the Pole, who is eighth in the world rankings, but only 13th in the Race to Turin; a big run is needed this month to maintain his top-10 status.

Meanwhile, Shelton won the ATP 500 event in Tokyo last Autumn and will head back to defend his title this year.

Having already lost big US Open points, he is currently set to be unseeded and may face an uphill task defending his crown.

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