The Canadian Open is facing fresh scrutiny over the tennis calendar after Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic withdrew from the Masters 1000 tournament. In response, the event’s tournament director said changes are needed to address what was described as a demanding schedule for players.
The withdrawals of two of the sport’s biggest names have intensified debate about how much top players are asked to handle across the season. When leading stars miss major events, it not only affects the tournament itself but also raises wider questions about player workload, recovery time and the structure of elite competition.
Masters 1000 tournaments are among the most important events outside the Grand Slams, so the absence of players such as Sinner and Djokovic quickly becomes a major talking point. The comments from the Canadian Open director suggest concern that the current setup may be placing too much strain on players at a crucial point in the calendar.
The issue is likely to add to ongoing discussions in tennis about scheduling and how to balance commercial demands with player fitness. With two high-profile withdrawals drawing attention, pressure may grow for organisers and governing bodies to look again at whether the season is asking too much of the sport’s biggest competitors.
