Canadian Open Director Calls for Schedule Revisions After Top Players Withdraw

The Canadian Open's tournament director, Valerie Tetreault, has highlighted the necessity for adjustments to the rigorous schedule faced by tennis players after the withdrawals of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic from the upcoming Masters 1000 event.

Sinner, fresh off his Wimbledon victory, cited health concerns as the reason for his absence from the tournament scheduled for August 2-13 in Montreal. Djokovic's withdrawal adds to the disappointment, especially as both players also missed last year's event in Toronto.

Carlos Alcaraz will also be absent as he continues his recovery from a wrist injury sustained earlier in the season. Tetreault expressed disappointment over the trend of last-minute withdrawals, emphasizing that the health of players must take precedence.

The Canadian Open is positioned just before the Cincinnati Open and the US Open, raising concerns about the congested tennis calendar that spans nearly the entire year. Tetreault noted that the frequency of such withdrawals points to a broader issue within the sport.

Recent comments from players like Jack Draper have echoed these concerns, with Draper noting the alarming rate of injuries among top competitors. Tetreault believes that immediate changes are essential to maintain the integrity of Masters 1000 events while considering the realities faced by players.