Organizers Raise Concerns Over Late Pullouts After Sinner, Djokovic Skip Montreal Event

Organizers of the Canadian Open have voiced significant disappointment over the withdrawals of top-ranked players Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic from the upcoming Montreal tournament. They described the recurring last-minute absences of elite players from ATP 1000 events as a growing concern for the sport's integrity and fan engagement.

Sinner withdrew on Friday, citing a need to prioritize his health shortly after his Wimbledon victory. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is also managing his workload, leaving the crucial US Open tune-up event short of its anticipated star power. This follows the absence of Carlos Alcaraz, who is still recovering from a wrist injury, meaning the August 1-13 tournament will be without three of the sport's biggest names for the second consecutive year.

“

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. We respect their decisions and understand that, with such a demanding schedule, players' health must remain the priority.

"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 Valerie Tetreault, the event's tournament director. "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 emphasized that while player health is paramount, the frequency of such withdrawals raises a broader issue. "Masters 1000 events are among the flagship tournaments on the tour, and fans rightfully expect to see the world's best compete," she stated. Organizers are reportedly in discussions with the ATP to address the situation, with Tetreault adding that "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."

The withdrawals also highlight ongoing criticism regarding the demanding nature of the professional tennis calendar. Some players, including Alexander Zverev, have expressed concerns about the expanded 12-day format at several ATP 1000 events. The 11-month seasons for both men's and women's tours have faced scrutiny in the past due to heat, humidity, and resulting injuries, leading to further calls for schedule adjustments.

“

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.