Montreal, July 31, 2026 – The National Bank Open presented by Rogers (Canadian Open) is gripped by unprecedented controversy as Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz have all withdrawn from the Masters 1000 event running from August 2–13.

The absences have reignited fierce debate over the ATP calendar’s brutal schedule. Tournament Director Valérie Tétreault has spoken out sharply, declaring the issue “far bigger than one tournament.”

Why the Stars Stayed Away

Jannik Sinner, fresh off his Wimbledon title, pulled out after “careful consideration with my team.” “This was a difficult decision, but the right one for my health,” he said. Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are also absent — Alcaraz still recovering from a wrist injury that kept him off the French Open and Wimbledon.

With 96 players and over $9.4 million in prize money, the Canadian Open is one of the richest and most prestigious Masters 1000 events. Yet the absence of the “Big 3” has everyone talking.

Director’s Bold Statement

At the press conference today, Valérie Tétreault left no room for doubt:

“We are deeply disappointed that Jannik and Novak are not coming to Montreal this year — especially after they also skipped Toronto last year. We respect their decisions and understand that the demands of the calendar require health to come first.”

However, she added: “The frequency of last-minute withdrawals in recent years has become a bigger problem for the entire sport. Masters 1000s are iconic events — the fans deserve to see the biggest stars on court. We are having serious discussions with the ATP about this.”

What’s Really Going On

The ATP calendar runs 11 months a year with 7 of the 9 Masters 1000s now 12-day events. This has led to increasing injuries and fatigue. Recent examples include Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu missing Wimbledon, and even Alcaraz previously warning that the schedule “will kill us one way or another.”

The Canadian Open has been running separately for men and women since 2025, with prize-money parity from 2027. But the pattern of stars skipping events is worrying fans and organizers alike.

Director’s Call to Action

Valérie Tétreault has made it clear: the ATP must listen. “We believe adjustments are needed to protect the integrity of the Masters 1000s while respecting the real-life demands of our players.”

The tournament is gearing up with a strong field including Alex de Minaur, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, and Flavio Cobolli.

The Bigger Picture

Without change, the ATP schedule risks becoming unsustainable. Tennis could lose the magic of seeing the absolute best players competing at the highest level. With change, the calendar could be refined — shorter tournaments, better rest periods — so health and competition go hand in hand.

Jannik Sinner’s decision to prioritize health shows responsibility. Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are following the same path. The Canadian Open is not just a sports event — it is proof that the tennis world is facing a crisis of its own making.