Carlos Alcaraz is set to lose millions in potential year-end bonus prize money due to a lesser-known ATP rule penalizing withdrawals from mandatory Masters 1000 tournaments, following his decision to skip the 2025 Shanghai Masters for recovery from an ankle injury sustained during his Japan Open title run. This marks his third such absence this season (after Madrid and Toronto), triggering a 75% deduction from the ATP’s Masters 1000 bonus pool, where he currently leads with projected earnings of up to $4.5 million for top performance across the nine events. The penalty could slash this to around $1.125 million, a loss of approximately $3.375 million, though on-site promotional activities (not confirmed for Alcaraz) can mitigate reductions.
The Lesser-Known Rule: Masters 1000 Bonus Pool Penalties
The ATP distributes a $21 million year-end bonus pool based on points earned across the nine Masters 1000 tournaments (excluding optional Monte Carlo), with the leader receiving up to $3.8 million plus additional shares. Top-30 players are required to participate in all mandatory Masters 1000 events, and each absence incurs a 25% deduction from the total bonus (up to 100% for four misses). Alcaraz’s prior skips (Madrid due to injury, Toronto for rest) already cost him 50% ($2.25 million), and Shanghai pushes it to 75%. Unlike fines for late withdrawals or ranking penalties (waived for injuries with medical verification), this bonus deduction is a financial incentive to ensure top players compete in key events, though it’s lesser-known outside tour circles.
Alcaraz leads the pool after wins in Monte Carlo, Rome, and Cincinnati, but the rule—tied to participation rather than performance—hits absent stars hard, regardless of injury justification. Skipping Paris-Bercy would forfeit the entire bonus.
Alcaraz’s 2025: Dominance Meets Demands
Alcaraz’s withdrawal prioritizes health after a historic year: eight titles (Wimbledon, US Open, Japan Open), 67 wins (67-7 record), and over $15 million in on-court earnings. The ankle tweak in Tokyo’s opener against Sebastian Baez forced caution, despite his final win over Fritz. He returns for Paris-Bercy (October 27) and the ATP Finals, where his No. 1 lock remains secure despite the bonus hit.
| Tournament Skipped | Reason | Bonus Impact |
|——————–|——–|————–|
| Madrid Open | Injury/rest | 25% deduction (~$1.125M) |
| Canadian Open | Rest for US Open prep | Additional 25% (~$1.125M) |
| Shanghai Masters | Ankle recovery | Additional 25% (~$1.125M); total 75% |
The rule, designed to ensure top players fulfill mandatory commitments, highlights the financial tightrope of elite tennis—Alcaraz’s health-first choice costs dearly, but preserves his dominance.
