Tennis player returns to competition

Terence Atmane, a French tennis player, returned to competition on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, after two controversial withdrawals from previous tournaments. He defeated Australian Rinky Hijikata with a score of 7-6(5), 6-2 in the first round of the ATP 250 tournament in Almaty. This victory marks his first tour-level win since Cincinnati.

Previous tournament withdrawals

Atmane had previously withdrawn from the Jingshan Challenger on September 30 during his match against Elias Ymer, with both players at 5-5 in the final set. Five days later, he withdrew again during the Shanghai Masters 1000 qualifiers against Bernard Tomic, who led 5-3 in the third set.

Incidents and reactions

Atmane had also been noted for throwing his racket toward the stands during these incidents. Facing criticism, Atmane apologized on Instagram, explaining that he was going through a difficult period, including physical health issues and pressure related to his drop in the rankings. He announced his intention to take a step back to rebuild himself.

Atmane's reflection and future

In an interview with media, Atmane expressed his disappointment with his recent behavior, stating, "I was quite disappointed with myself" and acknowledging that his actions had no place on a tennis court at the highest level. He thanked those who supported him and expressed his determination to start anew. Atmane will now face the winner of the match between Mattia Bellucci and Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round.