The Qatar ExxonMobil Open, which starts on Monday, has a superb entry list. Two-time Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz and 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic are among the top players who will be in action. There have also been four withdrawals from the tournament. This article names those who have decided not to play and then lists their replacements in the draw.

Four ATP Players Withdraw From Qatar ExxonMobil Open

Which Players Have Withdrawn?

Jannik Sinner was forced to withdraw from the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The Italian is suspended from the ATP Tour until May 4th after his team and the World Anti-Doping Agency agreed to a three-month ban to end his high-profile doping case. Sinner’s case being settled before the scheduled appeal hearing in April at the Court of Arbitration for Sport has caused controversy. Three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka says he no longer believes in a clean sport.

Arthur Fils was a second player to withdraw from the ATP 500 tournament. The talented young Frenchman also could not play at last week’s tournament in Marseille but did not officially announce why. Fils retired in the Australian Open third round last month with a left ankle injury. It is unknown if his recent withdrawals are linked to that problem.

Gael Monfils was another Frenchman to withdraw from the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. He has not played a match since his superb run to the fourth round of the Australian Open, which included a victory against Taylor Fritz. The veteran retired against Ben Shelton at that stage and has not played a match since.

Jordan Thompson will also miss the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. After the Australian Open, Thompson announced he would take a break from tennis because of struggles with a calf strain. It is unknown when he is likely to return to the court.

Who Replaces Those Players in the Draw?

Roman Safiullin is in the draw after Sinner’s decision to withdraw. The 27-year-old can be formidable on hard courts when his game clicks. However, he has been given a very challenging draw against the No. 2 seed and recent Rotterdam Open runner-up Alex de Minaur in the opening round.

Zhang Zhizhen replaces Arthur Fils at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. His run to last year’s Australian Open semifinal proves how good he can be at his best. He has been drawn against the qualifier Luca Nardi, who beat Novak Djokovic last year, in the first round.

Fabian Marozsan has also entered the draw in place of Monfils. The big-hitting Hungarian defeated Andrey Rublev and Frances Tiafoe during the season’s opening month. His hardcourt game has improved immensely, and he can trouble most players. In the opening round, Marozsan faces Mohamed Aziz Dougaz, one of three wild cards.

The experienced Roberto Bautista Agut is another player in the Qatar ExxonMobil draw because of Thompson’s withdrawal. Despite being in the latter stages of his career, the Spaniard remains capable of moments of brilliance on the court.