ATP Masters 1000 Canada – By Leo Canaparo
The ATP Masters 1000 Canada, set to begin in early August in Montreal, will once again be missing some of the biggest names in men’s tennis. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic have both withdrawn from the tournament, extending their absence from the Canadian event for a second consecutive year after also skipping the 2025 edition in Toronto.
In a statement released by the tournament, Sinner expressed his disappointment at being unable to compete:
The Italian and the Serbian have opted to take time off following a demanding stretch of the season, with their focus now shifting to the Cincinnati Open, scheduled for August 8–23, the final ATP Masters 1000 event before the US Open.
“I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to be there, but I hope to return in the future. We believe this is the right decision to prioritize my health.”
Despite the withdrawals, the tournament will still feature an impressive field, including Alexander Zverev, Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, and American Ben Shelton, all of whom will be among the leading contenders for the title.
The absences of Sinner and Djokovic continue a growing trend this season, as several top stars have been forced to miss or scale back appearances at major events due to injuries, physical fatigue, and increasingly demanding schedules. Throughout 2026, fans have seen notable withdrawals from both ATP Masters 1000 tournaments and Grand Slam events, highlighting the physical toll of the modern tennis calendar.
Managing workloads has become a key priority for many elite players, especially with the North American hard-court swing leading directly into the US Open. While Montreal will miss two of the sport’s biggest attractions, the event still promises a highly competitive draw featuring many of the ATP Tour’s top contenders.