Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic will miss the 2026 National Bank Open after both players withdrew before the ATP Masters 1000 event in Montreal. The tournament runs from August 1 to August 13, with the main draw beginning on August 2.
Sinner confirmed his withdrawal in a statement, saying he made the decision with his team after carefully considering every factor. He explained that prioritising his health was the right choice.
The withdrawals also reshape the tournament field ahead of the North American hard-court swing. Here’s why both players will miss Montreal, how the draw has changed, and what it means for the tournament.
Why did Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic withdraw from Montreal?
Sinner announced his withdrawal through a statement released by the tournament. He said the decision followed careful discussions with his team.
“After carefully considering all the factors together with my team, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw from Montreal,” Sinner said.
He added that missing such an important event was disappointing. However, he said protecting his health remained the priority and expressed hope of returning to Montreal in the future.
Djokovic also withdrew from the tournament. The announcement confirmed his absence but did not include a statement from the Serbian.
Sinner and Djokovic are not the only leading players missing Montreal. Carlos Alcaraz was already absent from the entry list as he continues recovering from a right wrist injury, leaving three of the ATP Tour’s biggest stars out of the tournament.
How Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic withdrawals reshape the Montreal field
Alexander Zverev now becomes the tournament’s top seed after finishing runner-up to Sinner at Wimbledon earlier this month. The German lost to Sinner in the Gentlemen’s Singles final after Sinner had defeated Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Home favourite Félix Auger-Aliassime also benefits from the withdrawals. The Canadian moves up to the No. 2 seed, making him the highest-seeded Canadian man in the tournament’s history.
Several other Top 10 players remain in the draw. Alex de Minaur, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli and Taylor Fritz are all expected to compete.
Shelton enters the tournament as the defending champion. He claimed his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title at last year’s National Bank Open, which was held in Toronto.
What Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic withdrawals mean for the tournament
Tournament Director Valérie Tétreault raised concerns over late pullouts and admitted that the late withdrawals were disappointing for fans.
She said player health remains the priority but added that repeated withdrawals before ATP Masters 1000 events have become a growing concern.
Tétreault also confirmed Tennis Canada has started discussions with the ATP regarding the demanding tour schedule and its impact on player participation.
Despite the withdrawals, Montreal will still welcome several of the world’s leading players. The tournament remains one of the biggest ATP Masters 1000 events before the US Open.
ATP withdrawals from the Canadian Open
Several notable ATP players will miss the 2026 Canadian Open after withdrawing before the tournament. Their withdrawals have left the men’s singles field without several top-ranked stars.
Here are the confirmed ATP withdrawals from the 2026 Canadian Open:
| Player | Ranking | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jannik Sinner | No. 1 | Withdrawn |
| Carlos Alcaraz | No. 3 | Withdrawn |
| Novak Djokovic | No. 7 | Withdrawn |
| Jesper de Jong | No. 105 | Replaced by Jan-Lennard Struff |
WTA withdrawals from the Canadian Open
The women’s singles draw has also seen several withdrawals before the 2026 Canadian Open. These absences include top-ranked players and rising stars who will not compete in Montreal.
Here are the confirmed WTA withdrawals from the 2026 Canadian Open:
| Player | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Karolina Muchova | No. 6 |
| Victoria Mboko | No. 12 |
| Jasmine Paolini | No. 15 |
| Hailey Baptiste | No. 33 |
| Emma Raducanu | No. 38 |
| Dayana Yastremska | No. 74 |
Which Tournaments Will Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic Play Next?
After winning his Wimbledon 2026 title, Jannik Sinner is expected to begin his North American hard-court swing at the Cincinnati Open. Novak Djokovic is also likely to return in Cincinnati after skipping the Montreal Masters.
The Cincinnati Open is scheduled from August 13 to August 23, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio. It serves as the final ATP Masters 1000 event before the year’s last Grand Slam.
Both players are then expected to compete at the US Open, which will run from August 30 to September 13, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. The tournament’s main draw begins on August 30.
Related Reads:
- Jannik Sinner Clinches Back-to-Back Wimbledon Men’s Singles Titles
- Alexandra Eala Stuns Zheng Qinwen to Reach DC Open Second Round
Conclusion
The absence of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic changes the outlook for the National Bank Open before play begins in Montreal. Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal also leaves the tournament without three of the ATP Tour’s biggest stars.
Zverev now leads the field as the top seed, while Auger-Aliassime earns a historic No. 2 seeding on home soil. Even so, the tournament still features a strong lineup as players continue their preparations for the US Open.
