Listen to this article
Approximately 3 minutes
The audio version of this article was created using artificial intelligence technology. Pronunciation errors may occur. We work with our partners to continually analyze and improve results.
World number one Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic have withdrawn from the National Bank Open.
Tennis Canada announced Friday that neither headliner will play in Montreal after both players were named to the roster for the ATP Masters 1000 tournament, which will take place at IGA Stadium from Aug. 1 to 13.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz has already been ruled out as he continues to recover from a right wrist injury that forced him to miss the French Open and Wimbledon.
“After careful consideration of all factors along with my team, we have made the difficult decision to leave Montreal,” Sinner said in a statement provided by Tennis Canada.
“It’s not easy to miss such an important event, but we feel this is the right decision to prioritize my health. “I’m disappointed I couldn’t be there, but I look forward to returning to Montreal in the future.”
French Open champion and Wimbledon vice-champion Alexander Zverev will now become the tournament’s top seed.
Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime will be seeded second, making him the highest-ranked Canadian in tournament history.
Sinner, Djokovic and Alcaraz – three of the biggest names in men’s tennis – also missed last year’s tournament in Toronto when the 12-day tournament began just two weeks after Wimbledon.
Tournament officials had expected fewer withdrawals this year as the event begins three weeks after the All England Club Tournament final, and expressed their disappointment in a press release.
“We are of course very disappointed that Yannick and Novak will not 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 busy schedule, the health of the players must remain a priority,” NBO tournament director Valérie Tétreault said in a statement.
“However, we believe the frequency of such last-minute withdrawals over the last few years raises a wider issue for our sport. The Masters 1000 is one of the premier events on tour and fans rightfully expect to see the best in the world compete.”
Tétrault added that Tennis Canada is already in discussions with the ATP to “ensure that this issue is given serious consideration.”
“We strongly believe that adjustments are needed in the near future to better protect the integrity of our Masters 1000 tournaments while remaining sensitive to the realities players face,” she said.
Sinner, 24, and Djokovic, 39, could return to action at the Cincinnati Open, with the main draw starting on the day the National Bank Open ends before the US Open in late August.