With his withdrawal in Shanghai, Alcaraz loses more than one million euros

The Shanghai audience was eagerly anticipating the presence of Carlos Alcaraz, the young phenomenon and face of global tennis. However, it was an announcement that dashed all hopes: the world number 2 will not compete in the Chinese tournament.

Just days after his victory in Tokyo, Alcaraz reportedly felt a sharp pain in his forearm, reawakening an old muscle concern, according to sources close to his team. His physiotherapist played a crucial role.

But that's not all. This withdrawal from Shanghai will come at a very high cost, literally. Thanks to a bonus allocation system established by the ATP since 2022, the most consistent players in the Masters 1000 events share an annual jackpot of 21 million euros. Alcaraz, in contention to earn up to 4.5 million euros, sees his potential earnings severely reduced.

By not participating in either Toronto or Shanghai, the Spanish prodigy suffers a double financial penalty of 25% on this bonus, amounting to an estimated loss of over one million euros. A staggering figure, especially considering that these tournaments matter as much for prestige as for the finances of the stars.