Tennis Schedule Under Fire at Canadian Open After Sinner and Djokovic's Last-Minute Withdrawals
The Canadian Open has expressed disappointment over the withdrawals of top players Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic from next week's tournament in Montreal. Sinner cited health reasons for his withdrawal, while Djokovic is managing his workload. This comes after Carlos Alcaraz's ongoing wrist injury, which has kept him out since April.
The tournament director, Valerie Tetreault, stated that the frequent last-minute withdrawals raise a broader issue for the sport, particularly for Masters 1000 events. Tetreault emphasized that fans expect to see the world's best compete in these flagship tournaments.
The Canadian Open is in discussions with the ATP to address the issue, with Tetreault calling for adjustments to protect the integrity of Masters 1000 events while considering the realities players face. Sinner's withdrawal is notable, as he had the opportunity to claim all nine ATP 1000 titles in a single season.
The packed schedule has come under criticism, with some players, including Alexander Zverev, arguing that it has become too demanding. The men's and women's circuits have faced scrutiny due to their 11-month seasons, with concerns about player availability and athlete welfare.
The ATP and WTA have defended their calendars, with the ATP chairman stating that scheduling remains the players' choice and the tour is working to set clear incentives. The WTA has prioritized athlete welfare and is listening to player views to improve the circuit structure and compensation. Sinner and Djokovic are expected to return to action at the Cincinnati Open next month as they prepare for the US Open.
The tournament director, Valerie Tetreault, stated that the frequent last-minute withdrawals raise a broader issue for the sport, particularly for Masters 1000 events. Tetreault emphasized that fans expect to see the world's best compete in these flagship tournaments.
The Canadian Open is in discussions with the ATP to address the issue, with Tetreault calling for adjustments to protect the integrity of Masters 1000 events while considering the realities players face. Sinner's withdrawal is notable, as he had the opportunity to claim all nine ATP 1000 titles in a single season.
The packed schedule has come under criticism, with some players, including Alexander Zverev, arguing that it has become too demanding. The men's and women's circuits have faced scrutiny due to their 11-month seasons, with concerns about player availability and athlete welfare.
The ATP and WTA have defended their calendars, with the ATP chairman stating that scheduling remains the players' choice and the tour is working to set clear incentives. The WTA has prioritized athlete welfare and is listening to player views to improve the circuit structure and compensation. Sinner and Djokovic are expected to return to action at the Cincinnati Open next month as they prepare for the US Open.
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