ATP and WTA stars gear up because the 2025 China Open kicks off on the Nationwide Tennis Middle in Beijing from September 24. Prime performers from the lads’s and ladies’s tour, Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz, are the defending champions of the match in singles.
Stars like Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Amanda Anisimova might be within the combine and battle it out in hopes of the title. Nonetheless, Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, the No. 1s of the ATP and WTA rankings, might be lacking from the motion.
Allow us to take a look at 5 gamers who is not going to be taking part in within the 2025 China Open:
#1 Carlos Alcaraz


After a stellar US Open run, Carlos Alcaraz has signed himself as much as play the Japan Open this 12 months. The Spaniard clinched his second Grand Slam title for the season in New York earlier this month and was a favourite to defend his title in Beijing, having dominated Jannik Sinner in each cases.
Nonetheless, the six-time Grand Slam champion has opted to remain again in America and play within the Laver Cup this weekend. He might be representing Group Europe, alongside Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, and so on., and later journey to Tokyo to kick off the Asia leg of the season.
#2 Aryna Sabalenka


Aryna Sabalenka needed to withdraw from Beijing following an damage she endured throughout her 2025 US Open marketing campaign. Recent off a Grand Slam title win, defeating Amanda Anisimova within the closing of the New York Slam, followers awaited Sabalenka’s fiery presence on the courtroom.
Nonetheless, the Belarusian shared an emotional message to announce her withdrawal through the organisers, saying:
“I’m unhappy to announce my withdrawal from the China Open this 12 months after sustaining a small damage after the U.S. Open. I’m going to give attention to being 100% wholesome for the remainder of the 12 months.” (through Reuters)
The four-time Grand Slam winner is scheduled to play in Wuhan in October, however has but to supply any affirmation on the matter.
#3 Stefanos Tsitsipas


Stefanos Tsitsipas is out of the China Open subsequent week, on account of an damage he endured throughout Greece’s Davis Cup duel in opposition to Brazil earlier this week. The Greek reportedly had an MRI scan, which revealed his corticosteroid an infection in his vertebra that he suffered throughout his match in opposition to Joao Fonseca on September 15.
The 27-year-old didn’t play within the final version of the China Open as properly, and this damage will maintain him off the tour for a while. Nonetheless, Tsitsipas hopes to get better and return in time for the Shanghai Masters later in October to provide the ultimate 1000-level match of the season a good shot.
#4 Novak Djokovic


Novak Djokovic has seemingly marked the conclusion of his run on the professional tour for this 12 months on the US Open. Abiding by his want to compete solely in Grand Slam tournaments, the 24-time main winner is not going to be taking part in within the China Open, nor does he have some other ATP occasion on his schedule this 12 months.
Nonetheless, the Serb might be making an look this 12 months on the Six Kings Slam, to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 16 – 19. The exhibition occasion, in its second 12 months, will see the previous world No. 1 alongside Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Jack Draper.
#5 Ben Shelton


Ben Shelton suffered a heartbreaking shoulder damage final month, which reduce his 2025 US Open run brief. Nonetheless, the American has reportedly recovered from his damage and is ready to make a comeback on the courtroom within the Asia leg of the season.
Although Shelton shouldn’t be within the Group USA for the Laver Cup, he has been hanging out with the staff. He’ll formally resume his season with the Japan Open from September 26, with the corporate of Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, amongst others.
Edited by Sumeet Kavthale