Top-ranked Jannik Sinner pulls out of Paris Masters citing a virus

In Paris, Jannik Sinner, the top-seeded player in men's tennis, has officially withdrawn from the Paris Masters, citing a virus as the primary reason for his absence. The Italian athlete, who is assured of concluding the season ranked No. 1, communicated that he is not in a condition fit to compete this week. He expressed disappointment, having arrived early to the tournament to prepare, only to fall ill shortly after his arrival. Sinner elaborated that he is currently suffering from a virus, which he expects to pass in the next few days. Despite the unfortunate timing, he remains optimistic about his recovery and hopes to return to competition soon. His withdrawal is particularly notable as it follows another high-profile exit, that of seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, making it a significant impact on the final Masters 1000 event of the year. Earlier this month, Sinner achieved a major career milestone by defeating Djokovic to win the Shanghai Masters. This was his seventh title of the season, earning him the distinction of being the first player to win more than six titles in a single season since Andy Murray in 2016. His remarkable performance this year has garnered attention amidst ongoing discussions regarding doping cases in the sport. Overall, Sinner's absence at the Paris Masters will be felt, and his withdrawal sets the stage for other competitors in the tournament who may see this as an opportunity to advance further.