Defending Champion Pablo Carreno Busta Exits ATP Toronto Masters

Defending champion Pablo Carreno Busta, Australian star Nick Kyrgios, and Canadian hopeful Denis Shapovalov have all regretfully withdrawn from the prestigious ATP Toronto Masters, organizers confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.

Carreno Busta, who triumphed in last year's Canadian final in Montreal to clinch his first-ever Masters 1000 title, has been grappling with a persistent injury, severely limiting his appearances this season. With just four matches played, his most recent being a hard-fought three-set loss to France's Richard Gasquet in Rotterdam back in February, the Spaniard's chances of defending his title were dashed.

Australian firebrand Kyrgios, who missed Wimbledon and had to sit out his title defense in Washington due to a wrist ligament injury, was another notable absentee from the upcoming tournament. Known for his electrifying style and flair, Kyrgios' withdrawal left fans disappointed.

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Adding to the woes of the home crowd, Canadian star Shapovalov, who achieved an impressive run to the round of 16 at Wimbledon, was forced to pull out of the ATP Toronto Masters due to a knee injury. Despite his fervent efforts to recover in time for the tournament, the injury demanded more time for proper healing.

In response to these unexpected withdrawals, Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori, American J.J. Wolf, and Japan's Kei Nishikori have earned automatic entry into the main draw. The hard court tournament, renowned as one of the key tune-ups leading to the US Open commencing on August 28th at Flushing Meadows, had already seen the departure of world number two, Novak Djokovic, who withdrew due to fatigue after his heart-breaking loss to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.

As the ATP Toronto Masters prepares to unfold, fans and organizers alike express their hopes for a successful and fiercely contested tournament despite the absence of some star players.