The Shanghai Masters is going through a rough patch. The season’s end means players have been on their feet for months. Just yesterday, defending champion of this Masters 1000 and 2025 China Open winner, Jannik Sinner, was forced to retire mid-match. Injury? Not exactly. The air’s brutal humidity pushed close to 90%. Then came the cramps, locking up his legs despite taking the first set. Soon, he couldn’t walk and had to pull out.

Remember Stefanos Tsitsipas battling that nagging back injury at the Davis Cup and for the majority of this season? It’s been haunting him for years, forcing him to pull out of Wimbledon and now it’s back. It forced him out of Shanghai when he was set to take on his opening match against Nuno Borges. He turned to social media with an update.

He wrote, “Hi everyone, I’ve decided to withdraw from the Shanghai Masters due to a physical issue. It’s always a pleasure to play here, the atmosphere and support from the Chinese fans mean a great deal to me. I’m sorry I can’t continue this time, but I’ll focus on recovery and look forward to returning stronger. Thank you for your continued support.”

The 2025 Shanghai Masters has already shaken up the ATP tour with a string of high-profile exits. Carlos Alcaraz, who injured his ankle during the Japan Open but still managed to win the title there, confirmed his withdrawal ahead of the tournament. His Instagram post said it all: “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!” Jack Draper, dealing with a left-arm injury, also pulled out for the rest of the season—both absences shaking up the draw.

Retirements have added to the drama, with Jannik Sinner, Tomas Machac, Casper Ruud, David Goffin, Hamad Medjedovic, Terence Atmane, and Wu Yibing all stepping back from competition. Atmane publicly shared his struggles, revealing on Instagram how his body was shaking and he struggled to catch his breath after every point. Sinner’s campaign ended painfully too, as crippling leg cramps forced him to retire mid-match against Tallon Griekspoor while down 3-2 in the third set—an unfortunate exit for the defending champion.

Injury and fatigue concerns continue to hover over players like Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune, and Alexander Zverev. Both Fritz and Zverev bowed out in the round of 32, with exhaustion and tough court conditions cited as key factors. The grueling schedule is clearly taking its toll. Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas hasn’t had an easy road since his Wimbledon walkover. Rumors of back surgery swirled but he denied them, though he’s been receiving medical attention and focusing on a hopeful return.

Stefanos Tsitsipas opens up about his injuries

A week ago, Greek media sent shockwaves through tennis with explosive claims about Tsitsipas. They alleged the Greek star had undergone lower back surgery, specifically a colectomy the previous Thursday. The reports painted a grim picture for his immediate future, suggesting he’d be sidelined for two to six weeks and potentially miss his entire Asian swing. Even his anticipated appearance at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, where he was supposed to replace Jack Draper, hung in the balance.

On September 22, Stefanos Tsitsipas wasted no time crushing these rumors. He fired back on Instagram with a crystal-clear message: “Dear friends and supporters, In light of recent reports, I would like to clarify that I have not undergone back surgery and I am doing well. I am deeply grateful for your kind messages and continued support. Your concern means a great deal to me.” Just like that, the fake surgery saga crumbled to dust.

The Greek sensation may have debunked the surgery rumors, but his back troubles remain frustratingly real. This ongoing battle has plagued him for years, and the 2021 French Open and 2023 Australian Open runner-up recently opened up about still hunting for solutions. The 27-year-old has skipped the entire Asian swing due to his persistent back injury, though he did seek some promising treatment recently.

Later, he shared intriguing details about his recovery process in an ATP Tour interview. He revealed visiting the hospital for a “special type of examination” on his back, explaining: “I won’t go into details, but it’s something that did help me a lot. I readjusted and fixed my back. So I’m just waiting to see how that responds in matches and how I’m able to compete in a much more healthy state.”

The big question now looms over the Six Kings Slam event starting October 15th. Will Stefanos Tsitsipas make his much-anticipated return to competitive action? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below!