Which of the five top players absent from this year's Shanghai Masters do you find most regrettable?

The Shanghai Masters, as the second last Masters tournament this season, gives players one more opportunity to vie for 1000 points. The total prize pool this year is $9,193,540, with the singles winner earning $1,124,380 and the doubles winners splitting $457,150. Nevertheless, multiple top-ranked players are sidelined by injuries. The draw ceremony took place on Monday, September 29, and the main event starts on October 1.

The defending champion Sinner will be among several star players competing; world number one Alcaraz, last year’s runner-up Djokovic, and world number three Zverev will also appear in Shanghai. According to the draw released on Monday, Djokovic could face world number two and defending champion Sinner in the semifinals. This Shanghai Masters marks Djokovic’s first tournament back since his semifinal loss to Alcaraz at the US Open.

However, a few top players will unfortunately miss the event due to injuries. Here are five of them.

1. Draper

Draper is forced to miss the remainder of the 2025 season due to a left arm injury (humerus bone contusion). He had already withdrawn from the US Open and then announced he would end his season early to focus on full recovery. Before the injury, Draper had a breakthrough year, winning his first Masters title at Indian Wells and reaching the Madrid Masters final, breaking into the world top ten. However, the arm injury halted his momentum, causing him to miss key tournaments including the Shanghai Masters.

2. Paul

Paul withdrew from the Shanghai Masters due to ongoing foot problems and injuries. Throughout this season, he has struggled with foot tendon issues and abdominal strains, making it difficult to maintain consistent participation. Although he showed promising form early in 2025, consecutive physical setbacks have hampered his performance, and missing the Shanghai Masters further diminishes his chances of qualifying for the year-end finals, adding pressure to the season's final stretch.

3. Dimitrov

Dimitrov pulled out of the Shanghai Masters because of a chest muscle injury. At Wimbledon, he was leading by two sets against Sinner but had to retire due to the chest problem; Sinner went on to win that Grand Slam. Dimitrov’s 2025 season has been inconsistent, marked by moments of brilliance but also plagued by injuries and unstable form. Now, the chest injury presents another obstacle as he approaches the end of the season.

4. Fucsovics

Fucsovics has been sidelined for most of this season due to a stress fracture in his lower back. This persistent injury forced him to withdraw from multiple major tournaments. Even attempts to return were hampered by recurring back pain, ultimately leading to his absence from Shanghai. Early in 2025, Fucsovics showed great potential by reaching several Masters quarterfinals and climbing into the world’s top 14, but the back injury has prevented further progress and now keeps him out of the Shanghai Masters.

5. Monfils

Monfils will miss the Shanghai Masters after spraining his ankle in the previous tournament. As a veteran player, injuries are not new to him, but this latest setback has stopped him from building on a relatively good season. In 2025, Monfils has repeatedly faced physical issues, limiting his schedule and causing frequent withdrawals. His absence from the Shanghai Masters highlights the ongoing challenges he faces with his health.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)