The 2025 National Bank Open, a cornerstone of the tennis calendar, is set to kick off in Toronto and Montreal, but the absence of several marquee names has cast a shadow over the prestigious ATP and WTA 1000 event. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, women’s No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic headline a list of high-profile withdrawals, leaving fans disappointed and sparking renewed discussions about the sport’s grueling schedule. With the tournament expanded to a 12-day format and boasting a 96-player draw, the absence of these stars opens the door for new contenders, but their reasons for skipping the event underscore the physical and mental toll of the modern tennis calendar.
Jannik Sinner, fresh off his second Grand Slam title of 2025 at Wimbledon, where he defeated Alcaraz in a thrilling four-set final, has withdrawn from the Toronto event to prioritize recovery. The 23-year-old Italian, who claimed the Canadian Open title in 2023, cited an elbow injury sustained during a fall in his Wimbledon fourth-round match against Grigor Dimitrov. “I’m really disappointed to be missing the National Bank Open in Toronto, especially as I have such fond memories of playing in Canada,” Sinner shared, reflecting on his 2023 triumph that marked a turning point in his career. “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.” His decision to focus on healing ahead of the Cincinnati Open and US Open highlights the careful balance top players must strike to maintain peak performance.
Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending Wimbledon champion and world No. 2, also pulled out of Toronto, citing the need for rest after a demanding season. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who reached the Wimbledon final and won his first French Open title earlier this year, pointed to “small muscle issues” and mental fatigue as reasons for his withdrawal. “After many consecutive weeks of competition without rest, I will not be able to play in Toronto this year,” Alcaraz announced. “To the tournament and to my fans in Canada, I am very sorry, I will see you next year!” His absence marks the second consecutive year he has skipped the Canadian Open, a decision that reflects his focus on being in top form for the US Open, where he aims to close the gap on Sinner’s No. 1 ranking.
On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and a three-time Grand Slam champion, has opted out of the Montreal tournament due to fatigue following a busy spring and summer. “I’m looking forward to kicking off the North American hard-court swing, but to give myself the best chance for success this season, I’ve decided it’s in my best interest to skip Montreal,” Sabalenka stated. Her withdrawal, a first for her at the Canadian Open, comes after a semifinal loss to Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon, where she showcased her trademark power but fell short of the final. Sabalenka’s decision to rest underscores her intent to defend her titles at Cincinnati and the US Open, where she remains a formidable force.
Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old Serbian legend, joins the list of absentees, marking his sixth consecutive year skipping the Canadian Open. After reaching the Wimbledon semifinals, where he was defeated by Sinner, Djokovic cited a groin injury as the primary reason for his withdrawal. His absence is not entirely surprising, as he has prioritized recovery and selective scheduling in recent years to prolong his career. The four-time Canadian Open champion’s focus is now on the Cincinnati Open, where he has won three titles, and the US Open, where he aims to add to his record-breaking Grand Slam tally.
Other notable withdrawals include Britain’s Jack Draper, sidelined by a left arm injury sustained at Wimbledon, and women’s No. 6 Zheng Qinwen, who is recovering from elbow surgery. Draper, who also withdrew from Cincinnati, expressed optimism about returning for the US Open, stating, “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.” Additional players missing the event include Tommy Paul, Grigor Dimitrov, and Paula Badosa, further thinning the field. Despite these absences, the tournament will feature top seeds like Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz in Toronto, and Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek in Montreal, promising a competitive and unpredictable draw.
The string of withdrawals has reignited concerns about the tennis calendar’s intensity, with players and analysts, including tennis journalist Gill Gross, criticizing the lack of recovery time between Wimbledon and the North American hard-court swing. “That is not going to be a recipe to draw top players,” Gross warned, noting that the Canadian Open’s proximity to Wimbledon and its expanded format exacerbate the issue. The 2026 calendar, which includes an extra week between Wimbledon and the Canadian Open, may alleviate these concerns, but for now, the absence of Sinner, Alcaraz, Sabalenka, and Djokovic highlights the physical demands of the sport. As the tournament begins on July 27, 2025, at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto and IGA Stadium in Montreal, fans will turn their attention to emerging stars and veterans seizing this opportunity to shine.
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