The tennis tour is heading into one of its busiest stretches of the season, with the North American hardcourt swing just around the corner. The sport’s biggest stars are already ramping up their preparations for the season’s final Grand Slam, the US Open. Home favorites Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe have arrived in Washington, D.C. for the ATP 500 event (July 27-August 2).
Meanwhile, another former US Open semifinalist, Jack Draper, has joined the field in search of redemption. He is accompanied by three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray.
Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Jack Draper Begin Their Prep at the Mubadala DC Open
Shelton has arrived in the US capital after a rather forgettable Wimbledon campaign, where he was sent packing in the first round by qualifier Otto Virtanen. The American has produced mixed results, winning just one match at the ATP Masters 1000 level this season and just five matches across the three completed Grand Slam events.
He has, however, won three titles, one on each surface, including two at the 500 level (Dallas and Munich). At the Mubadala DC Open, Shelton, who accepted a wildcard, is defending 200 ranking points after reaching the semifinals last year. He would be hoping for an even better run as he builds momentum ahead of his Canadian Open title defense.
On Thursday, July 23, the American was stopped training at the venue alongside Tiafoe. The players shared a laugh as they put in the hard yards under the sun. Interestingly, Shelton was seen wearing a left-arm sleeve.
Tiafoe 🆚 Shelton
Save that volley for the tournament, @FTiafoe 😆#MubadalaDCOpen pic.twitter.com/jgyzjWtP5D
— Mubadala DC Open (@mubadaladcopen) July 23, 2026
Tiafoe, who was beaten in the 2025 quarterfinal by Shelton, is chasing his first title at his home tournament and would be enjoying local support. The American arrives after a third-round exit against Alexander Bublik at Wimbledon. Having won the biggest title of his career at the ATP 500 event in Halle last month, he enters the North American swing with renewed confidence.
Another prominent addition to the Washington, D.C. lineup is Jack Draper, who has endured an injury-plagued season marked by lengthy spells on the sidelines. The Brit, who has slipped to No. 147 in the world, has accepted a wildcard in hopes of gaining some much-needed ranking points. He has missed out on a direct entry at the Masters 1000 events in Canada and Cincinnati.
Reunited 🤝 @jackdraper0 & @andy_murray are working together again in DC!#MubadalaDCOpen pic.twitter.com/7kcOTuTmX2
— Mubadala DC Open (@mubadaladcopen) July 23, 2026
Draper has brought with him Murray, who joined his coaching team before the grass swing. The high-profile duo was spotted practicing on the tournament courts on Thursday. The 24-year-old, who has traditionally used Dunlop rackets, was seen experimenting with a blacked-out racket amid his lingering arm injury concerns.
The stacked ATP field at the Mubadala DC Open also features Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Learner Tien, Arthur Fils, Jakub Menšík, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and defending champion Alex de Minaur.
