List of Players Missing at Rolex Paris Masters 2020

After a lot of uncertainty and confusion over hosting the tournament, the Rolex Paris Masters 2020 is finally set to get underway. The event will be played, albeit behind closed doors. In a year that saw many other Masters events being canceled, the final Masters 1000 event of the year starts with the qualifying draw on Saturday.

Like every year, the Paris Masters is the final chance for the ATP Finals hopefuls to secure their places. Two spots are up for grabs. Andrey Rublev and Diego Schwartzman are the favorites to take those spots.

While many of the top players are in attendance, there are those who will miss the event.

Top players missing the Rolex Paris Masters 2020

Novak Djokovic

The year-ending world number one withdrew from the Paris Masters, not due to injury or fitness issues. A few points would secure his year-end top ranking, prompting him to play the ATP Vienna Open. Djokovic won his first two matches there and secured his spot. However, he lost his quarter-final match 6-2, 6-1 to youngster Lorenzo Sonego.

Djokovic’s withdrawal from Paris means a new champion will be crowned as he is the defending champion.

Dominic Thiem

The world number three withdrew from the event shortly before the draw came out. He suffered an injury during his Vienna Open quarter-final against Rublev, just a day before the start of the Paris Masters. This is a big blow for Thiem, with the ATP Finals approaching.

Roger Federer

The Swiss superstar last played in January at the Australian Open. His next match will be almost a year since then as Federer called off his 2020 season during the lockdown. He underwent double knee surgery earlier this year.

Gael Monfils

The local hero will miss the Rolex Paris Masters 2020 after calling off his season, following another first-round exit on the Tour. Monfils lost his fourth straight match since the resumption and retired from the last one due to an injury.

There were also rumors that Monfils would retire from the sport. However, he quashed them all and intends to play for a long time. After a good start to the season, Monfils could not find form after the big break.

Denis Shapovalov

The world number 12 was in the top-10 at the French Open 2020, on the back of two strong tournaments before that. However, he failed to keep us his form thereafter. Shapovalov looked good for an ATP Finals spot not long ago. He did make the semi-finals at the St. Petersburg Open but lost to Rublev, who was his top contender in the Race to London.

Shapovalov lost in the opening round of the ongoing Vienna Open and withdrew from the Paris Masters as well.

John Isner

The towering American star recently called off his 2020 season. Isner withdrew from Vienna and Paris shortly after his loss at the French Open 2020. Before that, he lost early at the US Open 2020 as well and could not find his touch. He had a disappointing season overall and fell to 23rd in the rankings.

Benoit Paire

Paire had a very rough time since the resumption of the Tour. He twice tested positive for the coronavirus and in the events he played, he could not quite find his touch. Paire won just one match in six tournaments and recently said he wants to focus on the next season. He will thus skip his home ATP Masters event.

Kei Nishikori

The Japanese star recently decided to call off his season after suffering from a shoulder injury. He had a tough year and picked up the latest injury during the French Open. Nishikori was scheduled to face Dominic Thiem in Vienna but pulled out shortly before the match.

Nick Kyrgios

Kyrgios had long ago announced his intention to not play till he feels it is safe to travel to tournaments and play. Kyrgios has not played a single event since the lockdown and will not do so until the start of 2021.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Just before the French Open, Tsonga announced his withdrawal from the rest of the 2020 season. He has struggled with fitness issues all year.

Cristian Garin

The world number 22 will also miss the event. He has had mixed fortunes in recent events, but the Chilean has produced decent results lately. He lost to Thiem in Vienna after beating Stan Wawrinka in a thriller.

Fernando Verdasco

The Spanish veteran withdrew from the Paris Masters at the last moment. He has had a few good results lately, but two straight losses to John Millman hurt him towards the end of the season.

Read more – Dominic Thiem Casts Doubts Over Rolex Paris Masters Participation After Vienna Open Defeat