Alcaraz Withdraws; Sinner Leads Shanghai Masters

The Rolex Shanghai Masters runs Oct. 1–12 at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena with total prize money of US$9,193,540 and a singles champion payout of US$1,124,380. World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn, making World No. 2 and defending champion Jannik Sinner the leading contender while Novak Djokovic returns after the US Open. Sinner arrives having won the China Open in Beijing and sits nearly 4,970 points clear of No. 3 Alexander Zverev, and he could cut his year‑end points deficit to Alcaraz by up to 1,000 with a successful title defense. Sinner’s season included a three‑month absence due to an anti‑doping ban, and injuries to challengers such as Jack Draper and Ben Shelton — the latter scheduled to return for Shanghai — have thinned the chasing pack. The withdrawal of Alcaraz and the fitness concerns among other top players have reshaped the tournament’s competitive landscape.