The tennis star, Ben Shelton, has addressed his withdrawal from Tokyo Open as he returns to Rolex Shanghai Masters in China this week.
Ben – who inarguably faced the most crushing defeat of his career, has explained why he had to pull out of the 2026 Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships, commenced from September 30th to October 6.
After facing disappointment in the US Open, the 23-year-old tennis player moved to Prague for the Davis Cup – only to see his side crashing out to strong Czech opposition.
Now reflecting on his decision to withdraw from Tokyo Open, Ben admitted that, “the US Open and Davis Cup took a toll on my body, and I'm not going to be able to make it”.
Offering update on how he feels ahead of ATP Shanghai tour, Ben ensured "No, I think that I've played the right schedule for me, taking time where I needed to take time. I wasn't ready to go and play Tokyo, so I took the week off.”
"The schedule really waits for nobody; it will be nice to have some time off in the off-season, but for now just focused on one goal,” he added.
Here's how Ben Shelton wants to end 2026?
In his conversation with ATP media, Shelton not only discussed the prospect of qualifying in Rolex Shanghai tournament, he also revealed his biggest goal.
"I think it is a massive motivation.I want to be there playing in the final eight. I want an end-of-year Top-5 finish for the first time," he noted.
Ben continued, "I think there are a lot of things to look forward to at the end of this year and I am just excited about the position I am in to be able to compete for something big at the end of the year."
"I think I am in a good position but I feel there is still a lot of work to do," he added.
The hard-court tournament, which established in 2009, will be held from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 18 October.
Directed by played Michael A. Lueveno, the game is played at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center in Shanghai.
Rolex Shanghai Masters schedule
Qualifying
Monday, 5 October - Tuesday, 6 October at 12 p.m.
Main Draw
Wednesday, 7 October - Sunday, 18 October
Start times
Wednesday - Friday (second week) 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Saturday, 11 October: Doubles at 2 p.m. & Singles NB 4:30 p.m.
Doubles Final
Sunday, 18 October at 2 p.m.
Singles Final
Sunday, 12 October NB 4:30 p.m.
Top tennis stars at the Rolex Shanghai Masters
Buyunchaokete, Wu Yibing and Zhang Zhizhen will lead the home charge, while top tennis stars including the likes of Ben Shelton, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Zverev, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Vacherot, Daniil Medvedev and Flavio Cobolli are among those set to compete.
