Djokovic and Sinner decision raises alarm before US Open | Tennis | Sport
Canada Open tournament director, Valerie Tetreault, has expressed disappointment over the withdrawals of Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner from next week’s Masters 1000 in Montreal. The US Open lead in event was already dealing with the blow of losing Carlos Alcaraz as he works his way back from a wrist injury, which has kept him out since April.
But the two-week tournament in Canada was dealt another hammer blow on Friday evening after confirmation that recently crowned Wimbledon champion Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic had withdrawn. Djokovic’s pull out was less surprising with the Serb having not played the event since 2018 when he lost in the last 16 to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Sinner’s decision to withdraw, though, will have caused minor surprise as it ends his hopes of becoming the first player to claim all nine Masters 1000 events in a single season. The world No.1 has already won Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome in 2026.
The Italian’s call has also ended his streak of six straight titles at Masters level, having won Paris in November last year. Both players are next set to feature in another two-week Masters event in Cincinnati – although Djokovic has not played that event since winning the title in 2023.
News that three of the sport’s biggest stars will be absent in Montreal has sharpened criticism of the lengthy tennis calendar and two-week Masters events. One of those to express concern is Tetreault, who has been left gutted by the withdrawals.
Speaking to Canadian media, she said: “We are obviously very disappointed that Jannik and Novak won’t 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 demanding schedule, players’ health must remain the priority.
“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.”
Tetreault also claimed that organisers were in discussions with men’s governing body the ATP to ensure that the issue would receive serious consideration going forward.
She added: “We firmly believe adjustments are needed in the near future to better protect the integrity of our Masters 1000 events while remaining mindful of the realities players face.”
Express Sport have approached the ATP for comment.
