Djokovic, Sinner, Alcaraz skip Montreal Masters, dimming tournament's star power

The Montreal Masters tennis tournament is bracing for a less glamorous event as top players Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner have announced their withdrawal. The absence of these stars, along with the injured Carlos Alcaraz, has cast a shadow over the tournament, which serves as a warm-up for the US Open.

“

We are obviously very disappointed that Jannik and Novak will not be with us in Montreal this year.

Tournament director Valerie Tetreault acknowledged the disappointment, stating, "We are obviously very disappointed that Jannik and Novak will not be with us in Montreal this year." She added that player health is paramount given the demanding tour schedule. However, Tetreault also voiced concerns about the increasing frequency of last-minute withdrawals, calling it a "worrying trend."

"Masters events are major stages on the tour, and fans naturally expect to see the world's top players compete," Tetreault said. "We firmly believe that adjustments will need to be made in the near future to better ensure the integrity of the Masters events while considering the realities players face."

“

We respect and understand their decisions. With such a tight schedule, player health is always the top priority.

The trio of Djokovic, Sinner, and Alcaraz collectively hold 36 Grand Slam titles and are significant draws for spectators and ticket sales. Their absence leaves Germany's Alexander Zverev and Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime as the top two seeds for the men's singles.

“

We firmly believe that adjustments will need to be made in the near future to better ensure the integrity of the Masters events while considering the realities players face.