World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic withdrew on July 24, 2026, from the National Bank Open in Montreal.
Montreal Loses Headliners as Sinner and Djokovic Step Aside
The hard-court swing leading up to the US Open took a hit on Friday when tournament organizers confirmed the withdrawals of two marquee competitors. Sinner, currently holding the top spot in the PIF ATP Rankings, opted out of the August 2–13 event to prioritize his physical well-being following a summer grass-court campaign.
The Italian star arrives at this mid-season juncture on the heels of defending his Wimbledon title by defeating Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. Yet, the decision to skip Montreal brings a definitive end to a historic pursuit. Having already captured the first five Masters 1000 titles of the season at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, Sinner was chasing the feat of sweeping all nine elite-tier trophies in a single calendar year.
Sinner added in his statement, It is never easy to miss such an important event, but we believe this is the right decision to prioritise my health. I’m disappointed not to be there, but I look forward to returning to Montreal in the future.
Calendar Realities and Djokovic’s Selective Schedule
While Sinner’s absence halts a historic streak, Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal follows a pattern of load management. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who fell to Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals earlier this month, has reduced his tournament volume.
The 39-year-old Serbian icon has not appeared at the Canadian Open since 2018. At this stage of his career, his schedule is built around peaking at the major championships.
Carlos Alcaraz is also absent from the Canadian field as he continues recovering from the wrist injury sustained at the Barcelona Open in April. With the three dominant figures in men’s tennis sidelined in Montreal, the tournament faces an unusual landscape.
Tournament Organizers Sound the Alarm Over Late Withdrawals
The double blow has left local officials frustrated. Tournament Director Valérie Tétreault noted that both Sinner and Djokovic also bypassed the Toronto leg last season, highlighting a trend that compromises the fan experience at flagship tournaments.
Tétreault did not mince words regarding the structural friction on the professional tour, warning that the frequency of late pull-outs threatens the integrity of the Masters 1000 tier.
“That said, we believe the frequency of these last-minute withdrawals in the last few years raises a broader issue 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.”
Valérie Tétreault, Tournament Director, via Star City TV
Tennis Canada Chief Executive Officer Gavin Ziv confirmed that formal talks have opened with the ATP to explore structural adjustments that would secure top-tier player participation in mandatory events without ignoring physical burnouts.
How the Canadian Open Draw Shifts Without the Top Tier
The exodus clears a wider path for contenders looking to capture a major hard-court title ahead of New York. Alexander Zverev assumes the mantle of top seed in Montreal, accompanied by home-country favorite Félix Auger-Aliassime, who moves up to become the second seed.
Auger-Aliassime enters his home tournament following a coaching change, having parted ways with his coach after Wimbledon. Meanwhile, defending champion Ben Shelton slots in as the third seed, leading a revised group of top contenders that includes Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev, and Flavio Cobolli.
The women’s WTA 1000 tournament, running concurrently in Toronto, faces parallel roster challenges. High-profile withdrawals include Emma Raducanu, Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova, local favorite Victoria Mboko, and Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.
What Lies Ahead on the North American Hard-Court Swing
For Sinner, the scheduled recovery window will keep him off the tour until the Cincinnati Masters commences. The break provides physical regeneration after an intense first seven months where the Italian compiled a 44-3 match record and six titles.
As the tour shifts entirely to North American asphalt, the friction between mandatory participation rules, commercial commitments, and player preservation remains a central political battleground between tournament directors and governing bodies.
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