The Canadian Open, it is somewhat easy to forget, is not an unimportant event. It is one of the tournaments just slightly below a Grand Slam, as it is a Masters event that gives 1,000 points to the winner on both the ATP and WTA sides. One might not know this based on the withdrawals that have already happened in 2026.
Carlos Alcaraz was already known not to be participating. He injured his wrist in the Barcelona Open, a 500 tournament, in April, and he hasn't played since. He hopes to return for the Cincinnati Masters, which starts the week after the Canadian Open ends.
But Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner have also withdrawn from the tournament that will take place on the men's side in Montreal this year. To be sure, Montreal isn't the problem, as it's a wondrous city with lovely buildings and lots to do. Instead, the issue might be a larger one.
Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are the last players to withdraw from the Canadian Open
The problem is the length of the tennis season, which has, at most, two months off for players, at least those who reach the WTA and ATP Finals. Players are faced with the decision to take any time off, even if that means missing out on high-end point opportunities, or keep pushing through.
This is especially true from May to September when three of the sport's Grand Slams are played. One either wants to be fairly rested after participating in the French Open and Wimbledon for the US Open, or they can play the Canadian Masters, Cincinnati Masters, and then in New York. It's a lot to ask.
Djokovic pulling out of the Montreal event (the Canadian Masters rotates cities each year on both the men's and women's sides between Montreal and Toronto) isn't shocking because he's already limited how much he plays.
He will likely be ready for the US Open, and as he has proven over the last couple of years, the Serbian will probably make a deep run at the event. He does so at every major, even while not playing very much before the tournament.
Jannik Sinner's withdrawal is the more upsetting one for tennis fans. He won't drop points as he didn't play in Canada in 2025, but he's also won all five Masters events in 2026 so far. He could have captured all nine. Unfortunately, that has no chance of happening now.
ATP withdrawals from the Canadian Open:
- Jannik Sinner (No. 1)
- Carlos Alcaraz (No. 3)
- Novak Djokovic (No. 7)
- Jesper de Jong (No. 105; will be replaced by Jan-Lennard Struff)
WTA withdrawals from the Canadian Open:
- Karolina Muchova (No. 6)
- Victoria Mboko (No. 12)
- Jasmine Paolini (No. 15)
- Hailey Baptiste (No. 33)
- Emma Raducanu (No. 38)
- Dayana Yastremska (No. 74)
