One high-profile ATP player will have to wait even longer for his return to the Tour after withdrawing from the Shanghai Masters.
This young star has barely featured on the Tour since competing at the French Open earlier this season.
Persistent injury issues have hampered his progress, preventing this future star from climbing further up the ATP rankings.
Instead, he has fallen in the rankings, and may do so further upon the completion of the Shanghai Masters, an ATP Masters 1000 event.
Arthur Fils withdraws from the Shanghai Masters
Arthur Fils’ withdrawal from the Shanghai Masters marks the latest setback in what has been a trying few months for the 21-year-old Frenchman.
Earlier this year, the young star suffered a stress fracture in his back – an injury that has continued to keep him off the court.
The Frenchman did make a return to the Tour in August, competing at the Canadian Open.
However, he then withdrew from both the Cincinnati Open and the US Open.
Now Fils, now ranked 23 in the world, has withdrawn from a key Autumn Masters 1000 event, and will have to wait even longer for his return to the Tour.
However, there is a silver lining hidden amidst the negative feeling.
Arthur Fils will only lose 30 ATP points
Arthur Fils will not have to worry too much about losing ranking points at the 2025 Shanghai Masters.
In 2024, the Frenchman lost in his first match after receiving a first-round bye, defeated by Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6, 7-6.
Therefore, his absence from this year’s tournament means that he will only lose 30 ATP points.
| Round | ATP Points |
| R96 | 10 |
| R64 | 30 |
| R32 | 50 |
| R16 | 100 |
| Quarter-final | 200 |
| Semi-final | 400 |
| Final | 600 |
| Champion | 1000 |
Fils’ absence from the tournament will be sorely missed; he is one of the most promising talents on tour. However, one cannot help but think that this withdrawal represents a smart decision by the Frenchman.
Players can make the mistake of rushing back to professional play too soon, risking further injury. However, assuming this decision has been made with recovery in mind, one can conclude that Fils has made a choice that will aid his long-term future on the Tour.
