Full Breakdown
Top Seeds Absent: Sinner and Djokovic Pull Out of Montreal Masters
7/26/2026, 12:56:36 PM
Core Event – Withdrawals Ahead of the National Bank Open
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic announced they will not compete in the National Bank Open in Montreal, the ATP Masters 1000 event scheduled for August 1–13. Both players cited the need to prioritize health and recovery after Wimbledon, leaving the tournament without two of its biggest draws and joining Carlos Alcaraz, who remains out with a wrist injury.
Background & Context – Expanded Masters 1000 Schedule
Since 2022 the ATP extended seven of its nine Masters 1000 events to a 12-day format, lengthening the Canadian Open and Cincinnati tournaments to two weeks. Organisers and players have warned that the elongated schedule compresses the post-Wimbledon hard-court swing, creating a demanding turnaround before the U.S. Open. Tournament director Valerie Tetreault said the “frequency of these last-minute withdrawals” highlights a systemic issue.
Data & Statistics – Sinner’s 2026 Season and Djokovic’s Canadian Record
- Sinner entered the season with a 44-3 win-loss record, having captured six titles—including Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome and Wimbledon—before his Wimbledon victory over Djokovic. He had already secured the first five Masters 1000 events of the year, positioning him to attempt a historic sweep of all nine.
- Djokovic is a four-time champion in Montreal and has not played the event since 2018. His 2026 season record stands at 14-5 following a Wimbledon semifinal loss to Sinner.
Official Statements & Responses
Djokovic’s withdrawal was framed as part of a broader workload-management strategy, echoing his 2025 comment that he would play “no schedule other than Slams.”
Valerie Tetreault expressed disappointment that both stars would miss the event, noting that they also withdrew from the 2025 Toronto edition. She emphasized that player health must come first and confirmed that Tennis Canada is in talks with the ATP to address scheduling concerns.
Criticism & Opposition
Tennis analyst Jon Wertheim described the new 12-day Masters 1000 format as a “failure,” arguing that it forces players like Sinner to “jam” multiple events and risks “gassing out” before the next major. Journalist Jose Morgado echoed this sentiment, claiming the format has “killed” one of the sport’s biggest tournaments by removing its marquee participants.
Impact – Tournament Field and Calendar Implications
The withdrawals elevate Alexander Zverev to the top seed and Félix Auger-Aliassime to the second seed, giving Canadian fans a local focal point. With three of the sport’s top three absent, the draw opens for lower-ranked contenders such as Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz to vie for the 1000-point prize.
Beyond the immediate field, the episode intensifies debate over the ATP calendar. Players and officials argue that the compressed schedule threatens both competitive integrity and athlete welfare, potentially prompting future revisions to the Masters 1000 structure.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Sinner’s statement cites “health” as the reason for withdrawal, no specific injury was disclosed, leaving the exact medical justification unclear. Djokovic provided no detailed rationale beyond “workload management,” and the ATP has not issued a formal comment on the withdrawals.
