There are three events starting on Monday on the ATP Tour. One of these is the ATP Antwerp Open. This year’s Australian Open runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas is the top seed for the tournament. There are also experienced players with exciting playing styles in the draw such as Dominic Thiem and French tennis veteran Richard Gasquet. However, there have been some notable withdrawals from the event. This article lists the seven players who have elected to withdraw and then their replacements in the draw. We at LWOT also have an article listing the three players to withdraw from the Japan Open, which also begins on Monday.
Four Players Withdraw From ATP Antwerp Open
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Jannik Sinner is the highest-ranked player to withdraw from the ATP Antwerp Open. The Italian recently won the title in Beijing, before losing a tight match to Ben Shelton at the Shanghai Masters. Sinner did have some ankle issues in his opening match in Beijing against Dan Evans. Yet that did not stop him from subsequently winning the tournament. Therefore, it is likely that this year’s Miami Open runner-up is just getting some well-earned rest.
Grigor Dimitrov also withdrew. This is not a major surprise. The Bulgarian reached the semifinal of the Shanghai Masters, losing on Saturday to Andrey Rublev. Dimitrov has played many matches during his impressive season. It is understandable that he needs a break after his efforts.
Sebastian Korda became the third player to withdraw from the ATP Antwerp Open. The American’s story is almost identical to Dimitrov’s. He reached the semifinal in Shanghai, losing out to Hubert Hurkacz. Korda also reached a final and semifinal during the Asian swing before that. Hence it it is unsurprising that he has decided to take a week off.
Frenchman Ugo Humbert has also elected to withdraw from the ATP Antwerp Open. The Frenchman had a very positive Asian swing, reaching the quarterfinal in Beijing and Shanghai. Humbert won the title in Antwerp in 2020. However, it seems he has elected to rest after his successes in China.
Borna Coric, Matteo Arnaldi and Luca Van Assche are the other three players to withdraw from the ATP Antwerp Open.
Who Replaces Those Seven Players in the Draw?
Sinner’s withdrawal means Jaume Munar will now earn direct entry. It has been a mixed 2023 for the Spaniard, with a fourth-round appearance at the Madrid Masters being his best result. He did also win a match at the Shanghai Masters, before being knocked out by Ben Shelton.
Hugo Gaston benefits from Dimitrov’s decision to withdraw from Antwerp. It has been a mostly difficult season so far for the Frenchman. Gaston has recently been playing Challenger Tour events in his home country to try and get some form of confidence but without much success. He will hope to grasp this opportunity given to him.
Fabian Marozsan is set to feature at the ATP Antwerp Open due to Korda electing to withdraw. The Hungarian had an excellent tournament in Shanghai. He reached the quarterfinal of a Masters 1000 event for the first time. Marozsan now has an opportunity to build on the momentum generated from that achievement.
Nuno Borges replaces Ugo Humbert. The Portuguese player started the season very strongly but has only managed one ATP main draw win in over three months. But Borges made a run to the final this week at a Challenger Tour event in China. That may give him so much needed confidence and momentum.
Alexander Shevchenko, Dominic Stricker and Dominik Koepfer are the other three players in the draw for the Antwerp Open after Coric, Arnaldi and Van Assche both elected to withdraw.
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
