A Tough Year Gets Tougher
Joao Fonseca has made the difficult decision to sit out the entire Asian Swing, pulling out of both the Tokyo Japan Open and the Shanghai Masters as he continues to battle an abdominal injury that has plagued him since before the US Open. The Brazilian teenager described 2026 as "a very challenging year," noting on Instagram that a string of physical setbacks had prevented him from competing at the level he expects of himself.
Fonseca did make a valiant effort to push through his troubles, suiting up for Brazil in the Davis Cup tie against Switzerland in Rio de Janeiro over the weekend. He managed to gut out a three-set victory over Dominic Stricker, but the emotional toll of competing while hurt was visible: Fonseca reportedly broke down in tears after the win. Days later, he confirmed he simply needed more time to heal, saying he and his team concluded the smartest path was to rest both his body and his mind.
What His Absence Means for Shanghai
Fonseca's withdrawal adds to a growing list of notable names missing from the Shanghai Masters, which runs from October 7 through October 18. Raphael Collignon is out with a long-standing knee problem, while Sebastian Korda remains sidelined after undergoing back surgery following more than five months away from the tour.
Despite the absences, the Shanghai field still carries significant star power. US Open champion Alexander Zverev is expected to compete, and Jannik Sinner is on the entry list pending his knee fitness. Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, and Novak Djokovic are also slated to appear, with Valentin Vacherot looking to defend a memorable 2025 title.
TennisDraw users tracking Fonseca's bracket potential will need to adjust their picks as the Asian Swing gets underway without one of the tour's most exciting young talents.
