Rolex Paris Masters: Six Players Withdraw From Event

The final Masters 1000 tournament of 2025 is scheduled for next week’s Rolex Paris Masters. It will be the event’s first edition at La Defense Arena after being held at the Accor Arena in Bercy from 1986 to 2024. Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz confirmed their participation in Paris, but six players withdrew, including one of tennis’s most iconic stars ever.

Six players withdraw from the Rolex Paris Masters

Which players have withdrawn?

Novak Djokovic was the most high-profile player to withdraw from the Rolex Paris Masters. In an announcement released on his social media pages, the 24-time Grand Slam champion did not provide a specific reason for the move, but mentioned his record at the tournament and that he hopes to return next year.

“Dear Paris, unfortunately I’ll not compete at this year’s @RolexPMasters. I have amazing memories and great support over the years, especially being able to conquer the title 7 times. Hope to see you next year. Merci.”

Jack Draper was the second Top 10 player to withdraw from the Rolex Paris Masters. This year’s Indian Wells Open champion has not played since the US Open because of a leg injury. That forced the Briton to remove himself from the draw at Flushing Meadows. Draper then ended his season early due to that physical issue. He will start 2026 with a new coach, Jamie Delagado, after James Trotman stepped back for family reasons.

Frances Tiafoe also withdrew after ending his season early. Unlike Draper, the American has no injury and made the decision after a disappointing 2025. The two-time US Open semifinalist also split from Jessica Pegula’s and Venus Williams’ former coach, David Witt, because of those underwhelming results.

Holger Rune, who is the other Top 10 player on the list, Tommy Paul, and Arthur Fils all had to withdraw because of injuries. They will not return before 2026. Rune’s physical problem generated much attention for the wrong reasons. The 2022 Rolex Paris Masters champion underwent Achilles tendon repair surgery after sustaining a severe injury in Stockholm. Rune could be absent for 12 months or more.

Who replaced those players on the entry list?

Benjamin Bonzi will play at his home tournament after Djokovic’s withdrawal. His only previous main draw victory at the Rolex Paris Masters occurred in 2020. Bonzi’s most notable success was at the 2024 Moselle Open, which was scheduled the week after last year’s tournament in Paris. He won his maiden ATP title by defeating Cameron Norrie in the final.

Camilo Ugo Carabelli moved onto the entry list because Draper had to withdraw. The Argentine clay-court specialist has not won a completed match since August’s Cincinnati Masters(Terence Atmane retired in the first set against Carabelli in Shanghai). He will try to change his fortunes at the final Masters 1000 of 2025.

Lorenzo Sonego replaced Tiafoe at the Rolex Paris Masters. He began the indoor hard-court swing well by reaching the quarterfinal in Stockholm. That was followed by an opening-round defeat to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Basel. Sonego is capable of playing well anywhere and could be a dangerous player to draw.

Marcos Giron, Daniel Altmaier, and Miomir Kecmanovic were the other players who received an opportunity to play in Paris. Giron has a solid game for indoor courts and came close to defeating Denis Shapovalov in Basel after a thrilling battle. The Canadian narrowly prevailed 6-7 6-0 7-6.