Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic Withdraw From 2026 Canadian Open

Withdrawals and the Impact on the Canadian Open

The Canadian Open, scheduled for August 2–13 in Montreal, is facing a significant talent deficit this year. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who recently triumphed at Wimbledon and has dominated the 2026 Masters 1000 circuit, announced he would skip the tournament to prioritize his physical well-being.

These departures follow the confirmed absence of Carlos Alcaraz, who remains sidelined by a wrist injury sustained earlier this spring. The cumulative effect of these withdrawals has left the tournament without three of the sport’s biggest names, drawing sharp backlash from fans and analysts who argue the event’s prestige is at risk.

“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.”

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Valérie Tétreault, Canadian Open tournament director

Criticism of the 12-Day Masters 1000 Format

The frustration surrounding the tournament stems largely from the ATP’s decision to expand seven of its nine Masters 1000 events to a 12-day format. Critics, including tennis journalist José Morgado, contend that this structure creates an unsustainable calendar, forcing players to choose between rest and participation in flagship events.

“Sinner and Djokovic both OUT of Canada. This new M1000 format ‘killed’ one of the biggest tournaments in the world. Congrats to all the involved!”

José Morgado, via Sports Yahoo

Tournament director Valérie Tétreault acknowledged the validity of these concerns, confirming that the organization is actively engaging with the ATP.

Player Health and the Future of the Tour

The debate over the tennis calendar is not new, but the intensity of the discourse has escalated as injuries to top-tier players become more common. Similarly, British player Jack Draper has described the current rate of injuries among the tour’s elite as pretty worrying.

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In her statement, Tétreault emphasized that the tournament remains mindful of the realities players face while advocating for structural change. 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 said. As the tour looks toward the Cincinnati Open beginning August 13, the focus remains on whether the ATP will bow to pressure to revert to a shorter schedule or implement other measures to mitigate the physical toll on athletes.