The tennis world was rocked by a wave of high-profile withdrawals from the 2025 Canadian Open, with Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, joining World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in opting out of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Toronto, scheduled from July 27 to August 7. The trio’s absence, alongside British No. 1 Jack Draper’s withdrawal, has left the tournament reeling, with fans and analysts questioning the toll of a grueling season and a cramped schedule that left little recovery time after Wimbledon. Djokovic’s decision to extend his hiatus, mirroring the moves of Sinner and Alcaraz, underscores the physical and mental demands on today’s top players as they prioritize health ahead of the US Open.
Djokovic, now 38, cited a lingering left arm injury sustained during an awkward fall in his Wimbledon quarterfinal against Flavio Cobolli as the reason for his withdrawal. “After Wimbledon, I picked up an injury in my left arm, nothing serious, but I have to make sure it recovers fully for the rest of the season,” the Serbian legend stated. “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to compete in Toronto and Cincinnati. See you in NYC.” This marks the seventh time Djokovic has skipped the Canadian Open, with his last appearance in 2022, highlighting a strategic focus on Grand Slams and representing Serbia, especially after his Olympic gold medal win in Paris last year. His absence is a significant blow to the tournament, where he is a four-time champion, last lifting the trophy in 2018.
Sinner, the reigning Wimbledon champion, also pulled out due to an elbow injury sustained during his triumphant run at the All England Club, where he defeated Djokovic in the semi-finals and Alcaraz in a thrilling four-set final on July 13. “Winning that title in Toronto two years ago was the start of a really special moment for me, but after speaking with my team, I have to prioritize my health,” Sinner said, expressing regret to tournament director Karl Hale and Canadian fans. Alcaraz, who fell to Sinner in the Wimbledon final, echoed similar sentiments, citing “small muscle issues” and the need for physical and mental recovery after a demanding season. “After many consecutive weeks of competition without rest, I will not be able to play in Toronto this year,” Alcaraz shared. “To the tournament and to my fans in Canada, I am very sorry, I will see you next year!”
The withdrawals have sparked broader concerns about the ATP Tour’s scheduling, with the Canadian Open starting just two weeks after Wimbledon’s conclusion. Tennis analyst Gill Gross voiced frustration, warning that the tight calendar discourages top players from participating. “That is not going to be a recipe to draw top players and actually entice them to play Canada, which was already the Masters 1000 event that was probably getting skipped more often than any of the others,” he said. Players like Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud have also criticized the tour’s relentless pace, with Ruud calling it a “rat race.” The 2025 Canadian Open’s expanded 96-player draw and 12-day format, running concurrently with the women’s event in Montreal, only amplifies the strain, leaving little room for recovery.
With Sinner, Alcaraz, Djokovic, and Draper out, the Toronto field will be led by Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Lorenzo Musetti, and Holger Rune, alongside Canadian hopes Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Zverev, the 2017 champion, and defending champion Alexei Popyrin will aim to capitalize on the depleted field, but the absence of four of the top six seeds dims the tournament’s star power. Alcaraz’s withdrawal also means he misses a chance to close the 1,180-point gap with Sinner for the World No. 1 ranking, a battle that will now intensify at the Cincinnati Open, where all three are expected to return from August 7 to 18.
The focus now shifts to the US Open, the season’s final Grand Slam, starting August 24. Alcaraz, who has a 48-6 record this season and five titles, including Roland Garros, will be coached by Samuel López in Cincinnati and Juan Carlos Ferrero in New York, aiming to reclaim his 2022 US Open crown. Sinner, the 2024 champion, and Djokovic, a four-time winner, will also be in the mix, provided their injuries heal. “I can’t wait for Sunday,” Alcaraz said after Sinner secured his Wimbledon final spot, a sentiment that captures the anticipation for their next clash. As the tennis world grapples with scheduling woes, the absence of these titans in Toronto highlights the delicate balance between competition and recovery, setting the stage for a dramatic hard-court season.
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