Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic's withdrawals from the Canadian Open have sparked calls for changes to the demanding schedule of players.
The tournament director of the Canadian Open, Valerie Tetreault, says changes need to be made to the schedule after Sinner and Djokovic pulled out of the Masters 1000 event. Sinner beat Alexander Zverev to win the Wimbledon title this month, while Djokovic lost to Sinner in the semi-finals.
Sinner said he had withdrawn from the ATP tournament, which takes place from 2-13 August in Montreal, to prioritise his health. Carlos Alcaraz will also be absent from the Canadian Open as he continues his recovery from a wrist injury that has kept him out since April.
"We are obviously very disappointed that Jannik and Novak won't be joining us in Montreal this year, especially after they also withdrew from last year's tournament in Toronto," said Tetreault. The Canadian Open takes place before the Cincinnati Open, which is also a Masters 1000 event, and prior to the start of the US Open on 30 August.
Seven of the existing nine Masters 1000 events are now staged over 12 days, and concerns over the congested tennis calendar have regularly been voiced. Britain's Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu recently pulled out of Wimbledon on the eve of their home Grand Slam because of injury.
Draper, who withdrew with a long-term arm injury, said he felt the amount of injuries suffered by leading players is "pretty worrying". The ATP tour stretches across 11 months of the year for the top players, and it is unclear how much longer players can maintain this level of intensity.
Tournament director Salah Tahlak suggested that players who make late withdrawals from tournaments should be docked points. Women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek pulled out of the Dubai Championships, a WTA 1000 event, two days before it started.
The issue is not just limited to the Canadian Open. The ATP tour is facing a crisis, with top players like Djokovic, Sinner, and Alcaraz struggling to cope with the demanding schedule. The tournament directors are now in discussions with the ATP to ensure that this matter receives serious consideration.
The outcome of these discussions will have far-reaching implications for the future of the ATP tour. If changes are not made to the schedule, it could lead to a decline in the quality of the sport. The ATP tour has a responsibility to protect the health and well-being of its players.
The ATP tour has 11 months of tournaments, and it is unclear how much longer players can maintain this level of intensity.
Source: Yahoo Sports