Organisers raise concerns over late pullouts after Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic skip Montreal event
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Italy's Jannik Sinner withdrew from the Canadian Open to prioritise his health nearly two weeks after retaining his Wimbledon title.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MONTREAL – The Canadian Open expressed disappointment over the withdrawals of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic from next week’s tennis tournament in Montreal, saying the recurring absence of top players from ATP 1000 events had become a wider issue for the sport.
Sinner withdrew on July 24 to prioritise his health nearly two weeks after retaining his Wimbledon title, while 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic continued to manage his workload, leaving the US Open tune-up short of star power.
With Carlos Alcaraz still nursing a wrist injury that has kept him out since April, the Aug 1-13 tournament will again be without three of the sport’s top names after the star trio also missed the 2025 edition in Toronto.
“We are obviously very disappointed that Jannik and Novak won’t be joining us in Montreal this year, especially after they also withdrew from last year’s tournament in Toronto,” said the event’s tournament director, Valerie Tetreault.
“We respect their decisions and understand that, with such a demanding schedule, players’ health must remain the priority. That said, we believe the frequency of these last-minute withdrawals in the last few years raises a broader issue for our sport.
“Masters 1000 events are among the flagship tournaments on the tour, and fans rightfully expect to see the world’s best compete.”
Tetreault added in her statement to the Canadian media that the organisers were in discussions with the ATP men’s governing body to ensure that the issue would receive “serious consideration” going forward.
“We firmly believe adjustments are needed in the near future to better protect the integrity of our Masters 1000 events while remaining mindful of the realities players face,” she added.
Sinner’s pullout from Montreal was particularly noteworthy given the world No. 1 had the chance to claim all nine ATP 1000 titles in a single season, having won the first five at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome.
The withdrawal also brought fresh focus to a packed schedule some players believe has become too demanding, with world No. 2 Alexander Zverev among those critical of the expanded 12-day format used at seven ATP 1000 events.
More broadly, the men’s and women’s circuits have faced criticism due to their 11-month seasons, and both tours came under fresh scrutiny during the Asian swing last year, when extreme heat and humidity led to injuries and withdrawals.
Concerns about player availability extend beyond the ATP Tour, with top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek among the leading women to skip the February 2026 Dubai Championships as they balanced their schedules and recovery needs.
ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi defended the crowded calendar last year, saying scheduling remains the players’ choice and the tour was working to set clear incentives so the right number of matches are played across the season.
The WTA told Reuters previously that athlete welfare is a top priority and it listened to views on the calendar, through the players’ council and representatives on the WTA board, to improve the circuit structure in 2024 and boost compensation.
Sinner and Djokovic are expected to return to action at the Cincinnati Open in August, with defending champion Alcaraz also on the entry list, as they ramp up preparations for the year’s final Grand Slam beginning in New York on Aug 30. REUTERS
