A new setback has arrived at Alex de Minaur's doorstep after the Aussie slipped out of the top-eight race for the upcoming Nitto ATP Finals next month.
The 25-year-old has not featured in a competitive match since his US Open quarter-final exit against Jack Draper as he continues to nurture a persistent hip injury.
He suffered a torn hip cartilage during his fourth-round victory at Wimbledon before being forced to withdraw from the All England Club prematurely without hitting a ball.
Australia's Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt not only excluded de Minaur from the group stage format after Flushing Meadows, but also next month's Finals in Malaga despite changes on the team sheet still permitted before the event commences.
2024 has been a breakout year for de Minaur, with the Sydneysider cracking into the top-10 for the first time, achieving a career-high world No.6 and reaching the quarter-finals of the past three Grand Slams.
Those highlights had him primed for his Nitto ATP Finals debut in Turin. However, the updated standings sees de Minaur fall ninth in the race.
275 points behind Andrey Rublev, the upcoming few tournaments in the calendar year will prove pivotal if the Aussie is to qualify for the prestigious event.
Antwerp 250, Vienna 500, Basel 500, Paris Masters 1000, Belgrade 250 and Moselle 250 are the six remaining tournaments before the ATP Finals kicks off on November 10.
De Minaur has entered the draw for Antwerp in Belgium and arrives as the top seed, who is set to face Roberto Carballés Baena in the round of 16 later this week.
A title win still won't be enough for him to clinch qualification, meaning de Minaur will be banking on a deep run at the indoor Paris Masters.
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