Jack Draper has been ruled out of the Shanghai Masters due to injury.
The Brit was last seen retiring from his quarter-final clash with Ugo Humbert in the Japan Open.
Draper has impressed in recent weeks and the setback over the weekend comes at a key time for the world No. 20, with Shanghai being regarded as the ideal opportunity for him to reach the latter stages of the competition and push up the ATP rankings.
The 22-year-old lost the first set against Humbert 7-5 and trailed 2-1 in the second before taking a medical time out due to a problem in his abdominal area. After receiving a stomach massage, Draper then attempted to return to the court and continue before ruling that he was not capable of competing.
The British number one was competing in his first ATP Tour tournament since reaching the semi-finals of the US Open earlier this month, and it is unclear whether the fresh injury concern will leave him sidelined for an extended period or Shanghai simply comes too soon.
He will be replaced by a Lucky Loser in this week’s competition, just weeks after he complained about the busy nature of the tennis schedule.
Speaking after his defeat to Argentine Francisco Cerundolo at the Davis Cup earlier this month, he said: “It’s a mental calendar. Since Miami time I just haven’t had any time. We went straight into the clay, then straight on to the grass, straight to the Olympics, straight out to Montreal, Cincinnati, training week, US Open, here, then it’s Asia, then it’s indoor season.
“It’s my opinion that it’s going to be very hard for players of my age to achieve longevity any more.
“I look at the sort of schedule and I know players have done it for years, but the way the ATP have changed to two weeks with the Masters and these types of things, it’s giving us no time any more. There’s literally no break. It’s really mentally and physically challenging.
“With the US Open and coming here, I’ve been going for a long time. I’m proud of myself for being here with the team, playing for my country. I didn’t get it done today, but I’m going to have many more chances.”
