A Spaniard takes advantage of Sinner's drop in Paris

Dani Mérida has been the big beneficiary of the injury withdrawal of Jannik Sinner from the ATP Paris 2026. The Italian player will miss the remainder of the season due to his setback with his right knee, and the Spanish player will enter in his place in the final draw of the last Masters 1000 of the year, thus avoiding having to play the qualifying round. 

Entry List Update - Atp Masters 1000 Paris 🇫🇷 OUT: Sinner IN: Merida

— SpazioTennis (@SpazioTennis) October 8, 2026

Sinner announced a couple of days ago that he will not play again this season, and it has had various consequences. The Six Kings Slam has lost one of its major attractions, Alexander Zverev has ensured that he fulfills his dream of being number 1 before the year ends, there has been massive ticket resale for very low prices at the ATP Finals... Too many changes in a very short time. In the case of Mérida, who is already a regular in the final draws of major tournaments, he hadn't reached the ranking to avoid the qualifying round, which is something he will no longer have to worry about.

Sinner's withdrawal also opens the race for the Race

The absence of Sinner has also opened the race for the Race, as there are currently several players within a few points who could enter the ATP Finals in Turin. The Masters 1000 in Shanghai and Paris and some ATP 500 like Basel or Vienna are yet to be played, so everything will be decided there. 

For now, Novak Djokovic would be among the top eight, as well as other names like Daniil Medvedev, Arthur Fils, Frances Tiafoe, or Flavio Cobolli. However, a slip could allow other players like Alex de Miñaur, Rafa Jódar, Taylor Fritz, Jakub Mensik, or Tommy Paul to enter. Everything is tighter than ever, and Sinner's setback has increased the uncertainty even more. 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Un español se aprovecha de la baja de Sinner en París