The first major tournament of the Masters 1000 season, Indian Wells 2026, is off to a rocky start. Just a few days before the start, the competition has already lost 11 players from the main draw, who have announced that they can no longer participate.
The list of absentees could increase
The situation is mainly caused by the injuries and medical problems that have arisen in recent weeks, which have affected several important players. In addition, some tennis players who recently performed at the Dubai tournament are experiencing travel and schedule difficulties, which could lead to further last-minute withdrawals.
Thus, the competition in the Californian desert starts under the sign of uncertainty, with a men’s picture seriously affected even before the first exchange of balls.
Holger Rune, out due to a serious injury
Some of the withdrawn players were already dealing with older injuries, while others blamed physical problems that had arisen in recent days. It all comes at a time when athletes are trying to cope with an extremely busy calendar, which is taking a serious toll on their physical condition.
The list of ATP circuit players who have officially announced that they will not participate includes:
Problems in qualifications too
The wave of withdrawals not only affected the main draw, but also the qualifying phase. Currently, the last position that ensures access to the qualifications has reached around the 185th ATP place, occupied by Elias Ymer, a clear indication of the large number of absences.
The situation remains uncertain, and the organizers are on the alert. There are fears that travel difficulties for players who have recently performed in Dubai could bring further forfeitures in the coming hours. If that happens, the main draw could undergo major changes even before the final draw.
