Emma Raducnau has joined the list of missing persons at the Madrid Masters as the patchy Brit withdrew from her third consecutive tournament as her ranking starts to suffer.

The 2021 US Open winner who has failed to impress in ensuing seasons, is out of the Spanish event along with men’s defending champion Carlos Alcaraz (wrist injury) and three time veteran winner Novak Djokovic.

After keeping his options open, Italian world No. 1 Jannik Sinner fronted up in the Spanish capital, ready to try and win a record-setting fifth Masters 1000 title in succession.

In all the nearly fortnight-long Madrid outing is missing 13 players as criticism mounts over expansion of the Masters series duration; the tournament formerly lasted for one week before the ATP and WTA’s ill-formed calendar overhaul

Raducanu’s official reason for missing Madrid is a viral infection. She has not played since losing in 52 minutes in the Indian Wells opening round well over six weeks ago.

The coachless Brit, whose 27th ranking is in danger due to inactivity, has been without a mentor since sacking Francisco Roig after a second-round ouster at January”s Australian Open.

British hopes took a further hit on Monday after the draw, with Jack Draper also pulling out.

The ATP player’s season has been as scattershot as that of Raducanu. The injury-prone lefthander missed Monte Carlo through injury and went out in last week’s first round in Barcelona.

The 29th-ranked Draper has played just eight Tour matches this season as he battles arm and other physical problems.

Ben Shelton will now be able to pootle around Florida in a new BMW after winning the Munich title Sunday on his second attempt.

The American titleholder was [presented with his new set of wheels after defeating Flavio Cobolli  6-2, 7-5 after playing the final here a year ago but losing to Alexander Zverev.

ATP No. 6 Shelton raced to 4-0 in the opening set against his Italian opposition and never let Cobolli into contention as he saved all six break points he faced to claim victory in 90 minutes for a fifth career title .

“I was able to do (raise my level)  in the second set, hanging in there when he played some great tennis, and I came through to win it in straight sets,” the inner said as he heads to Madrid for next week’s clay Masters start.

“I’m happy with my performance… I got better and better as the week went on, and I am pleased with the work my team put in here.”
In addition to his motor which he will surely drive, Shelton might have more trouble in putting the winner’s pair of traditional Bavarian leather Lederhosen to use.

Shelton said that he is working to lift his level on clay. “I have big ambitions on clay – a surface I want to keep improving on each year. It has become one of my favourite surfaces to play on.

“It’s a short season and some of the Americans choose not to play every event. But we had two guys in the quarter-finals of the French Open last year. 

“Success on clay is coming back. I am looking forward to being part of this progression of U.S. men’s tennis on clay.”

Main photo:- Ben Shelton lifts Munich trophy and wins a BMW – ATPTour.com

On-fire Jannik Sinner could increase his lead atop the ATP rankings after Madrid Masters pullouts from top rival Carlos Alcaraz and always-dangerous Novak Djokovic.

Sinner clinched back atop the table a week ago as he defeated Alcaraz in straight sets to win the Monte Carlo title and increase his unbeaten match streak to 17 with titles in Indian Wells, Miami and the principality.

Spain’s Alcaraz foreshadowed his Madrid absence by withdrawing before his second round match in Barcelona, citing a wrist problem he developed in Monaco.

He will miss out on a title defence chance in the Spanish capital with his fitness for the upcoming Rome Masters – another trophy to defend – now at least in doubt.

The 38-year-old Djokovic, a three-time Madrid winner, has not competed since losing to Brit Jack Draper in the Indian Wells fourth round six weeks ago.