Schedule changes called for after Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic withdraw from Canadian Open

The Canadian Open’s tournament director says changes need to be made to the players’ “challenging schedule” after Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic withdrew from the Masters 1000 event.

Sinner, who won the Wimbledon title by beating Alexander Zverev this month, said he withdrew from the ATP tournament held in Montreal from August 2 to 13 to prioritize his health.

Carlos Alcaraz will not take part in the Canadian Open due to the recovery process of his ankle injury, which has kept him out since April.

“We are very disappointed that Jannik and Novak will not be joining us in Montreal this year, especially after withdrawing from last year’s tournament in Toronto,” said Valerie Tetreault, tournament director of the Canadian Open.

“We respect their decision and understand that the health of the players must remain a priority in such a challenging schedule.

“However, we believe this frequency of last-minute withdrawals over the last few years has led to a wider problem for our sport.

“The Masters 1000 events are among the flagship tournaments on the tour and fans rightly expect to see the world’s best compete.

“We are already in discussions with the ATP to ensure this matter is taken seriously.”

The Canadian Open takes place before the Cincinnati Open, which is also a Masters 1000 event, and before the August 30 start of the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year.

Seven of the nine current Masters 1000 events, the sport’s highest level below the Grand Slams, are now staged over 12 days and concerns are regularly raised about the congested tennis calendar for top players spanning 11 months of the year.

Britain’s Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu recently withdrew from Wimbledon due to injuries on the eve of their home Grand Slam.

Draper, who left the team with a long-term arm injury, said he felt the amount of injuries suffered by leading players was “quite concerning”.

“They’re going to kill us somehow,” Alcaraz said in September 2024.

“We firmly believe that adjustments are necessary in the near future to better protect the integrity of our Masters 1000 events, considering the realities facing players,” Tetreault added.

Earlier this year, women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek withdrew from the Dubai Championships, a WTA 1000 event, two days before it started.

Tournament director Salah Tahlak said that the points of players who withdraw late from the tournaments should be deducted, while Sabalenka said that the criticisms against her were “ridiculous” and that she may not play in the tournament again.