Carlos Alcaraz has become the latest top men’s player to withdraw from the Canadian Open, joining Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper on the sidelines. The world No 2 will miss the Toronto tournament, which begins on Saturday, citing small muscle issues and a need to recover physically and mentally ahead of the US Open later this month.
Alcaraz, who lost to Sinner in the Wimbledon singles final nine days ago, apologised to fans on social media. “I will not be able to play in Toronto this year,” he wrote. “I have small muscles issues and I need to recover physically and mentally for what comes next. To the tournament and to my fans in Canada I am very sorry, I will see you next year!”
British No 1 Jack Draper also revealed he will miss both Toronto and the Cincinnati Open, which starts on 5 August, after picking up an injury to his left arm at Wimbledon. “Nothing serious, but I have to make sure it recovers fully for the rest of the season,” he wrote. Sinner is protecting his elbow after a tumble in his fourth‑round match at Wimbledon, while Djokovic’s ongoing groin problem has kept him out.
The withdrawals have highlighted ongoing concerns about scheduling on the ATP and WTA tours. In March, the Professional Tennis Players’ Association, co‑founded by Djokovic, began legal action against the tours, an amended complaint focusing solely on the ATP and WTA despite negotiations with the four grand slams. With Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz likely to be top seeds in Toronto, the tournament will proceed without several of the sport’s biggest names.
