Sinner, Djokovic and Alcaraz Skip Masters 1000 in Montreal
The three biggest names in men's tennis will not compete at the prestigious tournament, which runs from August 2 to 13. Zverev takes over as the top seed.
The three biggest names in men's tennis will not compete at the prestigious tournament, which runs from August 2 to 13. Zverev takes over as the top seed.
Jannik Sinner, currently the world No. 1, has withdrawn from the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal, which takes place from August 2 to 13, 2026. Alongside the Italian, 39-year-old Serbian veteran Novak Djokovic has also pulled out, joining Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz as the most notable absentees at one of the strongest warm-up events ahead of the US Open.
Montreal is thus left without the three players who have dominated world tennis this season. Sinner won the recently concluded Wimbledon, defeating Djokovic in the semifinals. The reasons for Sinner's and Djokovic's withdrawals have not been disclosed in available sources. Alcaraz, according to available information, had previously announced he would not play, so Sinner and Djokovic have now joined the Spaniard in skipping this tournament.
With Sinner's withdrawal, German Alexander Zverev, currently world No. 2, is expected to take over as the top seed in Montreal. Zverev has had an outstanding 2026 season, winning Roland Garros and reaching the Wimbledon final, where he was stopped by Sinner. The second seed is expected to be hometown favorite Felix Auger-Aliassime, which will certainly be welcome news for the Canadian crowd in the absence of global stars.
The ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal is one of the most important summer hard court events and traditionally serves as a key warm-up for the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the season. The tournament rotates annually between Montreal and Toronto, attracting the biggest tennis names precisely because of its proximity to the US Open and the same surface. The withdrawal of the three players who have dominated the tennis circuit this season certainly diminishes the event's star power but opens up opportunities for the next-ranked players to earn valuable ATP points.
For Djokovic, who turned 39 in July 2026, every appearance is now carefully measured. The Serbian veteran, holder of 24 Grand Slam titles, continues to follow a selective schedule this season, choosing tournaments where he wants to be in the best possible form. The loss to Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinal was another reminder that the young players have taken the lead, but Djokovic remains a relevant threat on the biggest stages. Whether the Serb will play at the US Open has not been confirmed in available sources.
Sinner, who has confirmed his status as the world's best player this season, is likely resting ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season, but the reason for his withdrawal from Montreal has not been officially announced. Winning Wimbledon, one of the most demanding Grand Slam tournaments, takes a physical and mental toll, so it is not uncommon for players to thin out their schedule at this point in the season. The Montreal tournament begins on August 2, while the US Open traditionally starts in late August in New York.
