With the ATP Finals recently wrapped and Team Italy lifting the Davis Cup yesterday, the main tour may be over, but the grind continues on the Challenger circuit. Florianópolis, Brazil, has become the next battleground as players chase crucial ranking points ahead of 2026 and the AO. Yet, instead of a rising star or thrilling upset, the spotlight has shifted to controversy. During the QF, Nicolas Kicker , who had once been suspended for 6 years for match-fixing, abruptly retired with his opponent sitting at match point, leaving the tennis world stunned and the tournament buzz overshadowed by disbelief.

Kicker withdrew from his QF match against Gustavo Heide after losing the 1st set 6-2 and falling behind 5-1 in the 2nd. He was serving at deuce when Heide earned match point , but inste

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