Carlos Alcaraz Withdraws from Shanghai Masters

Right after winning the ATP 500 title in Tokyo, the world’s top-ranked player Carlos Alcaraz declared he would not participate in the forthcoming Shanghai Masters.

Right after securing the ATP 500 championship in Tokyo, the 22-year-old world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz decided to pull out of the upcoming Shanghai Masters to rest and recover in preparation for the season’s final phase.

Alcaraz chose not to pursue an additional 1,000 ATP points in the year-end No. 1 race against Jannik Sinner, despite the tournament spanning two weeks with rest days in between. Instead, he prioritized his health following an ankle injury sustained during his opening match in Tokyo against Sebastian Baez. Although physiotherapist Juanjo Moreno helped him regain enough fitness to compete in subsequent matches, Alcaraz still requires time to reduce strain and recharge.

In Tokyo, Alcaraz defeated Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the final, claiming his 8th ATP title of the season and his 7th victory in 9 consecutive finals since April. This success keeps him ahead of Jannik Sinner in the ATP Race, aiming to finish the year ranked No. 2 in Paris or Turin.

Alcaraz’s next scheduled event is the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, where he reached the final last year but lost to Sinner. Afterwards, the Spanish player will compete in the Paris Masters, ATP Finals, and Davis Cup Finals — a demanding series of tournaments concluding a stellar season and solidifying his status among tennis legends.

This decision means Alcaraz’s Asian tour ends after just one tournament, but he still leaves with his 24th ATP title at age 22. Although he will miss playing in Shanghai before his Chinese fans, Alcaraz promises to return next year to chase the one title missing from his collection.

“I’m very sorry to announce that I won’t be able to participate in this year’s Shanghai Rolex Masters. Unfortunately, I am dealing with some physical issues. After consulting with my team, we believe the best choice is to rest and recover. I truly look forward to playing in front of the wonderful fans in Shanghai and hope to come back soon to see the Chinese supporters next year,” Alcaraz shared.