Luca Van Assche forced to travel to Stockholm despite withdrawing from tournament to avoid ATP fine
ATP
Luca Van Assche has found himself in an unusual situation after the best week of his career at the Paris Masters. The 22-year-old Frenchman has decided to end his 2026 season and withdraw from the Stockholm Open, but he cannot simply stay at home. Despite no longer intending to compete, Van Assche must still travel to Sweden to avoid a potentially costly ATP fine.
The bizarre situation came to light on Sunday, when the Frenchman was interviewed by RMC from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. According to Tennis Temple, Van Assche needs to be present in Stockholm to complete the necessary procedure following his withdrawal. His decision to skip the tournament has therefore not spared him the journey.
The timing is particularly striking given the momentum he has built over the past week. Van Assche reached the Paris Masters semi-finals for the first time, beating several established players before losing to Ben Shelton. The result will lift him to a career-high No. 34 in the ATP rankings on Monday, making him the second-highest-ranked Frenchman behind Arthur Fils.
It is a significant milestone for the 22-year-old, who has already won his first ATP title in Estoril this season. However, instead of immediately beginning his off-season after his breakthrough run in Paris, Van Assche faces one final and rather unexpected trip to Sweden.
Why Luca Van Assche must still travel to Stockholm after withdrawing
Van Assche was originally entered in the Stockholm Open, an ATP 250 event scheduled for November 9-15. Following his run in Paris, however, the Frenchman decided against extending his season and withdrew from the tournament.
He had been due to face a qualifier in the opening round, with a potential second-round meeting against second seed Casper Ruud awaiting the winner.
The problem is that his withdrawal came after the ATP's deadline. Under the circuit's regulations, players who withdraw from an ATP Tour event after 10 am Eastern Time on the Friday before the tournament can face a late-withdrawal fine. There are exceptions, including cases in which a player undergoes an on-site medical examination and is declared unfit to compete.
Van Assche must travel to Stockholm to complete the necessary procedure and avoid the sanction. "I have to go to Stockholm to retire there," the Frenchman said to RMC. "I retired late. I had to make a decision before Thursday; otherwise, I will face a substantial fine."
He is therefore making the journey despite having no intention of playing. The situation highlights the strict requirements players face when withdrawing from tournaments after the deadline.
A career-best Paris Masters run caps a breakthrough season
Van Assche's unexpected trip comes just days after he produced the biggest result of his career. Starting the Paris Masters ranked No. 47, he defeated Mariano Navone before earning a notable victory over 15th seed Learner Tien. He then eliminated Lorenzo Musetti in three sets to reach his first Masters 1000 quarter-final.
The Frenchman continued his run against Rinky Hijikata, winning 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-5 to book a place in the last four. His campaign finally ended against Shelton, but not before he pushed the American hard. Van Assche took the opening set 7-5 before the World No. 4 responded to claim a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 victory.
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The performance marked another step forward for a player who won the Roland-Garros boys' singles title in 2021 and has steadily established himself on the professional circuit. His 2026 season has included several Challenger titles before he claimed his first ATP Tour trophy in Estoril in July.
The Paris run has now taken him to a career-high No. 34, confirming his position as France's second-ranked player behind Fils. Van Assche will not have another opportunity to improve that standing in Stockholm, having opted to bring his campaign to an end.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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