I don't think his withdrawal had anything to do with the tour schedule where he can skate with no required elements. We have all observed his nagging injury this season and I guess it flared up with the pre-competition ramping up of training.Sad but understandable. I think he still might have gone to Worlds had he not had the insane tour schedule immediately afterwards.
I hope this nagging injury is finally addressed during his upcoming Yale break. (Hope it's just a break and we see him back after he graduates from Yale. I need closure on the Mozart program.)
I'm a bit disappointed but at the same time counting my blessings that his body held up for the Olympics with programs I can rewatch.