The Shanghai Masters has suffered a second box office blow with Carlos Alcaraz pulling out injured from the Asian showpiece.

Alcaraz revealed that he suffered a left ankle injury in his opening match in Tokyo just over a week ago.

The Spaniard who won the Tokyo title this week joined world No. 1 Jannik Sinner on the sidelines in China’s commercial capital.  

World No. 2 Alexander Zverev is the only member of the ranking top three to be involved in Shanghai with the race to the eight-man year-end finals next month in Turin tightening.

Sinner ended his season this week in hopes of avoiding surgery on a knee injury which has kept him off court since winning Wimbledon nearly three months ago.

The all-star pair may be paying the physical price for the ATP cash grab – extending most Masters events from the normal week to a bloated 12-13-days,

Alcaaz showed no signs of the ankle problem during his winning run in Tokyo, but apparently did not want to risk further by testing it in China.

“I’m very disappointed to announce that I won’t be able to play the Rolex Shanghai Masters this year!” Alcaraz posted on social media.

“Unfortunately, I’ve been struggling with some physical issues and, after discussing with my team, we believe the best decision is to rest and recover. 

“I was really looking forward to playing in front of the amazing fans in Shanghai again. I hope to be back soon and see my Chinese fans next year!”

The No. 3 leads the Tour with 67 match wins this season, including three titles.

Main photo:-Carlos Alcaraz playing in Shanghai in 2023.

Novak Djokovic retained his magic touch at the China Open, winning his seventh title without a loss as injured opponent Alex de Minaur was forced to quit with a groin strain in their final, handing over a 7-6 (3), 0-1 win. .

The unorthodox Tuesday wrapup was a result of the ATP crashing the calendar in order to shoehorn in Masters 1000 events which can last for up to 12 days instead of the normal seven,

The Beijing final preceeds the start of the Shanghai Masters start by just 24 hours. 

Djokovic and a full house crowd in the capital were taken by surprise as de Minaur played one game to start the second set after losing the first, then limped to the sidelines to shake hands as he could not go on.

Both men had taken medical timeouts after Djokovic won the opening set in 68 minutes. De minaur then returned with his left thigh heavily taped.

Trainers said later that the Australian had suffered a groin strain during the second set.

Djokovic, playing Beijing for the first time in 11 years, remains a perfect 34-0 at the venue, which he first won in 2009.

Throughout a week in which he beat top 10 opponents in his final three matches (Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and de Minaur) the 39-year-old Serb often looked in trouble, struggling for breath after long rallies but somehow scratching out victory after victory.

He now owns 102 career titles, standing one behind now-retired Roger Federer and the 109 of Jimmy Connors.

“I always have high expectations for myself, I visualise myself holding the trophy,” the 24-time Grand Slam winner said.

“This is a place where I’ve never lost. But I’m aware that the (physical) is different these days. This year has  been truly challenging for me.

“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs, physical and health issues. I’ve struggled to find that good feeling on court.

“But when I’m feeling well I know I can still compete at the highest level.”

Djokovic thrilled local fans with a few phrases in Mandarin to cheers and excitement.

“This trophy means more than just one trophy and one tournament. I’m very, very happy about that.

“Beijing is a special place for me. I’m really sorry for the way Alex had to finish. I hope you can recover quickly.”

De Minaur was gutted by his forced exit after flying around the world since the US Open to Australia (Davis Cup) and then London for Laver Cup before heading to the Chinese capital.

“I don’t feel great, but congrats to Novak and his team. It was pretty amazing to watch the tennis he has produced this whole week.

“I want to say sorry to the amazing fans, I didn;t want it to finish like this.”

While his participation in Shanghai remains an open question – likely based on his current fitness – Djokovic will not play his opening match until Friday in the nation’s commercial capital.

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic with China Open trophy – by ATPTour.com

Carlos Alcaraz began his Asian swing with a 7-6. 6-4, Tokyo title victory which thrust the Spaniard among the sports’s elites after successfully defending the Japan Open trophy on Tuesday.

Alcaraz backed up his 2025 trophy at the Ariake colosseum, matching the back-to-back wins here of Stefan Edberg (1989-1991) and Pete Sampras (1993-1994).

Alcaraz, who missed almost five months of play due to a wrist injury, picked up this third title of the season after the Australian Open and Doha in February.

The Spaniard was all smiles after his win, telling Britain’s Sky: “I’m really happy to be able to lift a trophy again. It’s been a while and obviously it’s extra special after my injury.”

The winner  called the experience “a tough week (where) I didn’t find my best tennis, my best level, but I did find the good solutions.

“That’s what matters in the end.”

The winner called the final “the best match of the week, or at least more consistent the level that I played, so I’m just really, really happy.”

Alcaraz rallied from 4-2 down in the opening-set tiebreaker, winning five straight points to secure the set.

In the second, one break of his Czech opponent was enough to lift the trophy after 96 minutes.

The world No. 3 said that his enforced injury absence serves as a learning experience.

“A lot of negative thoughts come to your mind. If you’re going to come back healthy, if you’re going to come back the same as I was before. If I will be able to get the ball normal without pain at all/.

“But I try to put those thoughts away all the time. My team and I knew that if I come back, I’m going to be healthy 100 percent.”

Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz lifts Japan Open trophy – © ATPTour.com