Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic have both pulled out of the Canadian Open Masters 1000 event, marking the second year in a row these titans have skipped Montreal. It is a huge blow for fans, and the tournament director, Valerie Tetreault, is absolutely not holding back, calling for serious changes to the “demanding schedule” that is clearly taking its toll on the sport’s biggest names.
Players Are Breaking Down, And It’s Getting Worse
Sinner, who just snatched the Wimbledon title after beating Alexander Zverev, said he pulled out of the August 2-13 tournament to prioritize his health. This dude just beat Djokovic in the Wimbledon semi-finals on his way to the title, so he is clearly at the top of his game, but even he needs a break. Carlos Alcaraz is also a no-show in Montreal as he battles back from a wrist injury that has sidelined him since April. This isn’t just about a couple of guys needing a rest, though. Back in September 2024, Alcaraz flat out said, “They are going to kill us in some way.” He might not have been wrong. We saw Britain’s Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu both pull out of Wimbledon this year right before their home Grand Slam. Draper, nursing a long-term arm injury, was pretty worried about the amount of injuries hitting top players. It’s a worrying trend, for real.
The “Demanding Schedule” Is Hurting The Game
Tetreault did not mince words, saying she is “very disappointed” by the withdrawals. She gets that player health is the priority with such a grueling schedule, but she also believes “the frequency of these last-minute withdrawals in the last few years raises a broader issue for our sport.” Think about it: Masters 1000 events are supposed to be the flagship tournaments, second only to the Grand Slams. Fans pay big money, they expect to see the world’s best. Seven of the nine Masters 1000 events now run for 12 days, and the entire calendar for top players stretches for 11 months a year. It is relentless! Tetreault confirmed they are already deep in talks with the ATP to get this issue “serious consideration.”
What is the solution here? Dubai Championships tournament director Salah Tahlak thinks players who bail late should get docked points. Women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who pulled out of the Dubai Championships two days before it started alongside Iga Swiatek, called that criticism “ridiculous” and even hinted she might not play the tournament again. It is a heated debate, for sure. Tetreault echoed the sentiment, saying they “firmly believe adjustments are needed in the near future to better protect the integrity of our Masters 1000 events.”
The Canadian Open happens right before the Cincinnati Open, another Masters 1000, and then the US Open kicks off on August 30. Something has to give. Will the ATP actually make the necessary “adjustments” to protect these players and the integrity of these huge tournaments? Everyone’s watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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