Sinner and Djokovic Pull Out of Montreal Masters Next Month

Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic have officially announced their withdrawal from the upcoming ATP Montreal Masters, as confirmed by Tennis Canada on Friday. Both athletes have recently completed intense campaigns at Wimbledon, where Sinner emerged victorious, claiming the men’s singles title, while Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, reached the semi-finals before his exit. The decision to withdraw comes after careful deliberation with their respective teams, highlighting the importance of health and recovery in their demanding schedules.

In a statement, Sinner expressed the difficulty of the choice, stating, "After carefully considering all the factors together with my team, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw from Montreal. It is never easy to miss such an important event, but we believe this is the right decision to prioritize my health." The Montreal Masters, set to take place from August 1 to August 13, is a significant event in the ATP calendar, serving as a crucial lead-up to the US Open. This year, the men’s tournament will be hosted in Montreal, while the WTA 1000 event will occur simultaneously in Toronto, with both cities alternating their hosting duties annually.

The tournament organizers expressed their disappointment regarding the late withdrawals, noting that both Sinner and Djokovic had also missed the previous year’s tournament in Toronto. Valerie Tetreault, the tournament director, acknowledged their decisions while emphasizing the need for player health to take precedence. However, she also raised concerns about the increasing frequency of last-minute withdrawals, suggesting it poses a broader issue for the sport. "Masters 1000 events are among the flagship tournaments on the tour, and fans rightfully expect to see the world’s best compete," she remarked. In light of these withdrawals, Alexander Zverev, the reigning French Open champion and Wimbledon finalist, is now positioned as the top seed, followed closely by Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime. Additionally, Carlos Alcaraz had previously announced his withdrawal from Montreal due to a persistent wrist injury, aiming for a comeback at the Cincinnati Masters, which follows the Canadian event. With the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season, set to commence on August 30 in New York, the implications of these withdrawals could resonate throughout the remainder of the tennis season.