SINNER AND DJOKOVIC WITHDRAW FROM NATIONAL BANK OPEN

Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic withdrew from the National Bank Open in Montreal on 24 July, citing workload management ahead of the US Open. The tournament, a Masters 1000 event scheduled to begin on 1 August, will proceed without the world number one and the 24-time Grand Slam champion. Both players cited the need to prioritise their health following the Wimbledon tournament, where Sinner reached the final on 12 July and Djokovic competed in the semifinal on 10 July.

The withdrawals represent the latest in a series of high-profile player absences from Masters 1000 events. Carlos Alcaraz had already withdrawn from the Montreal tournament whilst recovering from a wrist injury sustained in April. The ATP extended Masters 1000 events to two weeks in duration, a change motivated by increased revenues, ticket sales, and expanded draw opportunities for lower-ranked players. The extended format includes rest days between matches but requires players to commit additional time compared with the previous one-week structure.

Sinner and Djokovic's decisions reflect broader concerns amongst top players regarding calendar density. Their absences from a Masters 1000 event, a level immediately below the Grand Slams, signal the practical constraints players face when managing multiple tournaments across a condensed season. The tournament will proceed with a reduced field of top-ranked competitors.