Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from the 2025 Shanghai Masters: Taking rest to conquer new heights
Carlos Alcaraz, the top-ranked player globally, recently took an unexpected but praised step: withdrawing from the 2025 Shanghai Masters following his victory at the Japan Open.
Having claimed his 8th ATP title this year, Alcaraz is performing at his highest level, yet an ankle injury combined with a demanding calendar has compelled him to step back to safeguard his health and aim for loftier ambitions. This decision demonstrates the maturity of the 22-year-old champion and highlights his long-term career outlook.
Injuries and the necessity of rest
In elite sports, the term "red zone" is used by physiotherapists to describe a critical physical condition of an athlete when their body is pushed to its limits due to intense competition and continuous pressure. Although only 22, Carlos Alcaraz seems to have reached this threshold after a highly successful yet grueling 2025 season. He competed in 14 tournaments, including the Laver Cup, more than any other Top 10 ATP player. The ankle injury he suffered in the first round of the Japan Open against Sebastian Baez was a warning sign. The sudden pain caused Alcaraz to fall on the court, raising concerns about a more serious issue. Despite getting up and going on to win the title, he admitted ongoing worries about certain movements on court that could aggravate his ankle.
Alcaraz’s decision to withdraw from the Shanghai Masters, as he explained on Instagram, stems from "some physical issues" and the need for rest. This is a wise choice, especially considering recent injuries to players like Lorenzo Musetti, Daniil Medvedev, and Jakub Mensik. Despite his extraordinary form and remarkable recovery ability, Alcaraz is not invincible. His full trust in his therapist—whom he praised as "the best in the world"—helped him compete normally at the Japan Open. However, continuing to play in Shanghai with an unstable ankle could risk a more serious injury, potentially impacting his entire 2026 season.
Rest is not only a way to protect the body but also an opportunity for Alcaraz to recharge his energy. Historically, breaks from competition have helped him return stronger with explosive performance. After the US Open, Laver Cup, and Japan Open, his body needs time to recover. This decision reflects Alcaraz’s foresight as an athlete who prioritizes health and long-term career success over chasing short-term titles.
Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from the Shanghai Masters
Strategic vision toward major goals
The choice to skip the Shanghai Masters reveals Alcaraz’s clear strategy for the end of 2025. With two key events ahead—the ATP Finals in Turin and the Davis Cup final in Bologna in November—he must ensure his best physical condition to compete. These tournaments carry greater significance than the Shanghai Masters, an ATP 1000 event. Moreover, Alcaraz’s biggest goal is the Australian Open in January 2026, where he aims to complete his Grand Slam collection. Winning in Melbourne would place him among the legends who have claimed all four Grand Slam titles, solidifying his legacy in tennis history.
Although the Shanghai Masters is a prestigious tournament, it is not Alcaraz’s top priority at this time. His absence opens up the upper half of the draw, especially as he was the top seed. Some have suggested he should have withdrawn before the draw to avoid disrupting the tournament structure. Nevertheless, this does not diminish the value of his decision. Alcaraz has placed his health and long-term goals above the expectations of Shanghai fans, who were looking forward to his match against Jannik Sinner. This choice shows he is not swayed by short-term pressure but focuses on more significant milestones.
His withdrawal also sends a strong message to his rivals. Alcaraz, with 8 titles in 2025, is at his career peak. Yet, he is willing to pause to regain strength. This might make players like Sinner, Fritz, and Novak Djokovic cautious, as a well-rested Alcaraz usually returns with even fiercer form. The Japan Open final against Fritz demonstrated Alcaraz’s excellent play even when not at 100%. Once fully recovered, his explosive potential will pose a major threat at the ATP Finals and Australian Open.
Conversely, a serious injury to Alcaraz would be a huge loss. Therefore, his decision to rest is regarded as the best remedy, not only for himself but also for the future of tennis. The tennis world now awaits his comeback, likely in Turin or Bologna, where he will continue to write new chapters in his quest for the summit.
How many points will Alcaraz lose?
Last year, Alcaraz defeated Shang Juncheng, Wu Yibing, and Gael Monfils before losing to Tomas Machac in the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals. By withdrawing from this year’s event, he will be unable to defend 200 points. However, Alcaraz need not worry much about Sinner closing the gap in points. The Italian player, last year’s Shanghai Masters champion (defeating Djokovic in the final), must defend 1,000 points. In fact, if Sinner finishes second, he will lose 350 points, widening Alcaraz’s lead by another 150 points.
In the current ATP rankings, Alcaraz leads with 11,540 points, followed by Sinner in second place with 10,780 points. They both hold a significant margin over the third-ranked Alexander Zverev, who has 5,930 points.
Phuong Chi
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