The match director of the Canadian Open says changes have to be made to the “demanding schedule” of gamers after Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic pulled out of the Masters 1000 occasion.
Sinner, who beat Alexander Zverev to win the Wimbledon title this month, mentioned he had withdrawn from the ATP match, which takes place from 2-13 August in Montreal, to prioritise his well being.
Carlos Alcaraz will even be absent from the Canadian Open as he continues his recovery from a wrist harm that has saved him out since April.
“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,” mentioned the Canadian Open’s match director Valerie Tetreault.
“We respect their decisions and understand that, with such a demanding schedule, players’ health must remain the priority.
“That mentioned, we imagine the frequency of those last-minute withdrawals in the previous couple of years raises a broader challenge 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.
“We are already in discussions with the ATP to make sure this matter acquired critical consideration.”
The Canadian Open takes place before the Cincinnati Open, which is also a Masters 1000 event, and prior to the start of the US Open – the final Grand Slam of the year – on 30 August.
Seven of the existing nine Masters 1000 events – the sport’s highest level below the Grand Slams – are now staged over 12 days and concerns over the congested tennis calendar, which stretches across 11 months of the year for the top players, have regularly been voiced.
Britain’s Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu recently pulled out of Wimbledon on the eve of their home Grand Slam because of injury.
Draper, who withdrew with a long-term arm injury, mentioned he felt the quantity of accidents suffered by main gamers is “fairly worrying”.
In September 2024, Alcaraz said: “They are going to kill us in a roundabout way.”
“We firmly imagine changes are wanted within the close to future to higher defend the integrity of our Masters 1000 occasions whereas remaining aware of the realities gamers face,” added Tetreault.
Earlier this year, women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek pulled out of the Dubai Championships, a WTA 1000 event, two days before it started.
Tournament director Salah Tahlak mentioned gamers who made late withdrawals from tournaments ought to be docked factors, whereas Sabalenka said criticism of her was “ridiculous” and that she could not play on the match once more.
