Top Tennis Stars Withdraw from Canadian ATP Masters 1000 Event

Major Withdrawals from Canadian Open

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic have both decided to withdraw from the upcoming Canadian ATP Masters 1000 tournament, scheduled from August 2 to 13. Sinner recently defended his Wimbledon title, triumphing over Alexander Zverev in the final and defeating Djokovic in the semifinals in straight sets. The Canadian Open serves as a crucial event for players to acclimatize to hard courts ahead of the US Open Grand Slam.

Sinner stated that he made the choice to withdraw after discussions with his team, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing his health. In a statement, he remarked, “After careful consideration with my team, we have made the tough decision to withdraw from Montreal. Missing such a significant event is never easy, but we believe this is the right choice for my health. I am disappointed not to participate, but I look forward to returning to Montreal in the future.”

On the other hand, Djokovic is at a point in his career where he tends to focus more on Grand Slam tournaments rather than ATP events. The upcoming US Open may present his last opportunity to secure his 25th Grand Slam title. Additionally, Carlos Alcaraz will also be absent from the tournament as he continues to recover from a wrist injury that previously sidelined him from both the French Open and Wimbledon.

Concerns from Tournament Organizers

The organizers of the tournament expressed their disappointment regarding the last-minute withdrawals, acknowledging the players' decisions while highlighting the challenges it poses for the event. Tournament director Valerie Tetreault stated, “We respect their choices and understand that player health must be the priority given the demanding schedule. However, the increasing frequency of these last-minute withdrawals in recent years raises a significant concern for our sport.”